Report: Astros showing interest in Darvish, Arrieta
The World Series champions are looking to make a big move of their own.
On the same day the New York Yankees officially announced the acquisition of Giancarlo Stanton, the Houston Astros are showing interest in free-agent starters Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta, reports The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, citing major-league sources.
Houston might also explore the trade market if a pitcher such as Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer becomes available, Rosenthal adds.
The Astros' rotation is currently fronted by southpaw Dallas Keuchel and veteran right-hander Justin Verlander, but Keuchel is eligible for free agency in 2019 and Verlander is 34 years old.
Darvish, 31, has been one of the best starters in baseball since coming to the majors from Japan, posting a 56-42 record with a 3.42 ERA and 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings in 131 starts. He did struggle in his two World Series starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Astros, lasting a combined 3 1/3 innings while allowing eight earned runs. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015.
Arrieta, the 2015 winner of the National League Cy Young, posted his highest ERA (3.53) since 2013 this year, but still won 14 games and pitched 168 1/3 innings.
Over the past three seasons, he's been one of the game's top starters, winning 54 games and logging 594 2/3 innings.