The Houston Astros are looking to make additions to their starting rotation, and while they could explore the free agent market, early reports indicate that they will instead focus on the trade market.
It takes some decent trade chips to make this work, and fortunately for Houston, they have a few options. Isaac Paredes might be the best option they could trade away, but Jake Meyers, a 29-year-old center fielder coming off a breakout 2025 season, is another solid trade asset.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic highlighted one possible trade idea that Houston could make this winter. The Kansas City Royals, who are looking for outfielders, could swap a 2.55 ERA All-Star starter for Meyers would be a great move to make this winter.
Astros trade idea swaps Jake Meyers to Royals for 2.55 ERA starter
"The Kansas City Royals, dangling lefty Kris Bubic, are another possibility for Meyers," Rosenthal writes, "but they are exploring numerous other outfield possibilities as well."
Kris Bubic is 28 years old and under club control for the 2026 season only. While a one-year rental, Meyers is only under control for one more season in comparison.
Moving on from Meyers seems like a very likely outcome for the Astros this winter, and trading him to the Royals for Bubic would be a good way to bolster the rotation in 2026.
He's coming off his best season in the Majors, a 20-start season with a 2.55 ERA and an All-Star appearance. It was the first year back in the rotation since 2023 for Bubic, and he thrived in his old role.
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In 2024, as a reliever, he had a 2.67 ERA in 27 appearances. But, returning to the rotation, he was even better. Across 116.1 innings pitched in 20 starts, Bubic had 116 strikeouts and six home runs allowed.
Adding the veteran pitcher for the 2026 season is a bit of a risk, but in exchange for Meyers, who the Astros are planning to move this winter, this swap would make a lot of sense.
Rosenthal is linking the two teams for this player-for-player swap. Bubic for Meyers makes sense for both sides, and for the Astros, it would give them a starter they've been looking for this offseason.
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