The Astros have optioned lefty Framber Valdez to Triple-A following tonight’s game, the team announced to reporters (Twitter link via the Houston Chronicle’s Chandler Rome). The move creates a vacancy in the Houston rotation, as Valdez had been serving as the fifth starter. A corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow.
Valdez had a rough night in Houston’s 14-2 loss to the Pirates, as he was ambushed for six runs on eight hits and a walk in three innings of work. That marked the second straight clunker for the 25-year-old southpaw, who served up five runs in 3 1/3 innings to the Yankees his last time out. Prior to those rough two outings, though, Valdez had turned in two strong performances (albeit against lackluster Orioles and Blue Jays lineups).
The ‘Stros have a pair of off days baked into the schedule next week, so they can navigate a trip through the rotation without needing to rely on a fifth starter. Still, it’s worth wondering whether they’ll give Valdez another look or explore another possibility. The team did just activate Collin McHugh from the injured list, though he struggled in the rotation earlier this season. The Astros have also tried righty Corbin Martin in that role, but he was hit hard in the big leagues and hasn’t exactly thrived in three starts since being sent back down. Rogelio Armenteros won’t be an option for another nine days (barring an injury on the MLB roster), as he was just optioned to Triple-A yesterday. He hasn’t excelled in Triple-A himself, anyhow. Top prospect Forrest Whitley, meanwhile, has battled shoulder issues recently and isn’t close to being an option at this point.
All of that uncertainty could lead the Astros to eventually look outside the organization for some rotation help. They’re currently leading the Rangers by 5.5 games, so there’s no urgency to strike up a deal in the short term, but that’s a closer race than many anticipated in the American League West. Injuries to some star players (e.g. Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa) haven’t helped Houston, although they’re close to full strength in the lineup at this point, with only Correa absent among the team’s regulars. Still, the rotation was largely viewed as a piecemeal operation heading into the season, and it seems reasonable to expect that the Astros will at the very least explore their options — particularly with Gerrit Cole and Wade Miley set to become free agents at season’s end.
A trade needs to be made. It’s a bit early for a blockbuster, but fingers crossed that Luhnow bucks tradition and makes it happen.
I am sick and tired of this funk the Astros are in. This is totally ridiculous. Get Max Scerzer, Trevor Bauer or another quality starter NOW. We were so stupid to let Charlie Morton go. This is so unacceptable.
Put Josh James into the rotation.
No, please no. He’s not been very good in the bullpen this year, and he’s a two pitch pony. McHugh is our best in house option, but I prefer a trade.
Bud Norris with more heat. Two good pitches and nothing else. More than adequate #5 starter. Bud was a solid middle of the rotation guy for years.
i agree, put Josh James into the rotation, He may start the season slow after being IR, but from the last two month he preform great extra innings and couple of earned win. (came in twice to clean up Corbin Martin starting games.)
Time for Joshua James to show what tip of starter he can be this season, because he did it last year.
Just to get conversation going… Whitley for Matthew Boyd?
Luhnow hangs up.
Lol
Yeah let’s not give a big time prospect who has been injured a lot for a great #3SP with 3.5 years control.
Whitley is not being traded for Boyd. He’d be dealt for a star, not a potential one year wonder.
This is Whitley’s first injury. Other missed time was due to suspension.
Didn’t he start the year on IL then now is back on the IL? Same injury?
Like a All Star SP with 3 more years of control type of player?
I agree so again Boyd for Whitley? Lol
You cannot fake a 250K 40BB (on pace) season which he is on pace for. You can have a ERA that is a fluke or a W/L record that is a fluke but the stat above along with advanced stats that support this year’s stats are tough to fake as a one-off season.
Why not? The attrition for pitching prospects is extremely high. If the Astros can add a quality long term piece, it’s not a bad deal.
Personally, I wish the Astros had signed DK or Morton instead, this is where we’re at now.
I agree with your second point, but not the first one. Whitley isn’t a typical prospect (he’s an elite one with consensus #1 SP value), he’s just unfortunately hurt this season. His ceiling is much higher than Boyd so the risk isn’t worth the reward.
The Tigers need a strong hitting prospect for Boyd not a injured yet big time SP prospect imo.
Whitley will recover from his shoulder injury and dominate the AL for years to come.
He might just do that. I am a fan of his potential though pitching prospects are tricky with the amount of pitching injuries nowadays.
Boyd and fulmer for Kyle tucker, Abraham toro, Freudis nova, Seth beer, 500k in intl bonus money.
Who says no?
Anytime I see tucker involved in a trade proposal I immediately say Astros won’t do it, but this return is actually quite interesting. I still don’t think the Astros would pull the trigger here, but it’s closer than anything I’ve seen involving Tucker… Detroit wouldn’t want any Pitching prospects in return?
I actually think the untouchable here is Nova. Doubtful we give Correa a long term deal and Nova is his replacement. Swap Nova with another piece (Bukauskas maybe), and it’s a good trade. May need to include Fisher too though since he could help in Detroit right now.
I am speculating that the Astros are calling up Kyle Tucker or Derek Fisher. Their other four starting pitchers are going Thurs thru Sunday and there are two off-days next week. No need for a fifth starter until after the all star break.
time to add Josh James to the starting rotation
Ya he looked terrible.