MLB Rumors: 5 Marcus Stroman trade destinations

4. Houston Astros injuries could make way for a Marcus Stroman trade

Right behind the Rangers in the AL West standings is the Houston Astros. Considering that they are the defending World Series champions, that shouldn’t shock anyone. However, a look at the pitching injuries that they’ve battled this season makes it quite surprising they’ve gotten to this point.

While Framber Valdez, Christian Javier and Hunter Brown have all been studs for the reigning champions, they’ve lost Luis Garcia for the year to Tommy John surgery, Jose Urquidy has been shelved for quite a while, and Lance McCullers Jr. is having a difficult time in the rehab process.

To this point, the Astros have been able to piece this thing together with the likes of J.P. France and Brandon Bielak. That pair has performed well, to be sure, but it feels like the foundation of that back end of the rotation is anything but solid, especially for a team that has viable hopes of contending again.

That’s where Marcus Stroman could come into play. Now, Houston might have a difficult time A. keeping Stroman happy given the franchise’s history and B. ponying up to pay the price that the Cubs would demand in a trade. Having said that, much like the rival Rangers, they could be in an advantageous spot in terms of having the flexibility of re-signing Stroman or just renting him for the back-half of this season and the playoffs.

In any case, if there’s a way to make the particulars work, the Astros should definitely be in the mix for Stroman.