Report: Astros, Pirates have discussed Gerrit Cole trade
It seems the Houston Astros are looking to heat up the offseason.
Despite boasting an impressive pitching staff, the team has spoken with the Pittsburgh Pirates about a potential trade for ace right-hander Gerrit Cole, sources told Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan.
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Cole, 27, is entering his second year of arbitration and is under team control for two more seasons before hitting free agency ahead of the 2020 campaign. After debuting in 2013, he has gone 59-42 with a 3.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 8.4 K/9 over 127 starts. He finished fourth in Cy Young voting in 2015, going 19-8 with a 2.60 ERA.
The Pirates would require a substantial return for Cole. One name that has been suggested is 24-year-old outfielder Derek Fisher, while top prospects Kyle Tucker and Forrest Whitley could also be dealt.
If the Astros land Cole, the rotation will be an embarrassment of riches, at least for 2018 (2017 stats below):
| Name | W-L | ERA | WHIP | K/9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Verlander | 15-8 | 3.36 | 1.12 | 9.6 |
| Dallas Keuchel | 14-5 | 2.90 | 1.12 | 7.7 |
| Gerrit Cole | 12-12 | 4.26 | 1.25 | 8.7 |
| Lance McCullers | 7-4 | 4.25 | 1.29 | 10.0 |
| Charlie Morton | 14-7 | 3.62 | 1.19 | 10.0 |
| Brad Peacock | 13-2 | 3.00 | 1.19 | 11.0 |
| Collin McHugh | 5-2 | 3.55 | 1.29 | 8.8 |
The acquisition, assuming one of these names isn't going the other way, would bolster both the rotation and bullpen. Peacock worked as a swingman in 2017, filling in as a starter when McCullers and Keuchel went down with injuries.
Another wrinkle in any deal is Keuchel, who will be a free agent at the end of 2018.
No deal is in place, but the Astros seem intent on improving a roster that remains mostly intact after winning the franchise's first World Series championship.