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Astros: 3 aces Houston can trade for following Lance McCullers injury update

By Zach Pressnell

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 13: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on August 13, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 13: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on August 13, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) /
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Astros rumors, Lance McCullers replacements
Marcus Stroman, Chicago Cubs. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Lance McCullers Jr. will miss the remainder of the 2023 season for Houston, but who can the Astros trade for to replace him?

The Houston Astros were dealt some crushing news this week. Their seven-year veteran starting pitcher, Lance McCullers Jr., will undergo season-ending surgery on his flexor tendon as well as removing a bone spur in his pitching arm. The situation is unfortunate for Houston and McCullers, but when dealing with an elbow injury, he’s fortunate to avoid Tommy John Surgery.

For the Astros, they don’t have time to complain about how unfair the situation is. They need to turn to the trade market and begin eyeing a few ace-caliber pitchers to replace McCullers production this season.

And that’s exactly what the Astros have always done, and it is exactly what they will do in 2023.

Astros trade target No. 3: Cubs ace Marcus Stroman

Marcus Stroman has recently been the topic of conversation in a ton of trade rumors. Stroman himself reported that the Cubs weren’t actively listening to discussions on a contract extension. Pair this with the fact that Stroman is in the midst of a Cy Young-caliber year, he seems quite likely to be dealt at the deadline.

Not only has Stroman played far above his 2024 $21 million dollar pay mark, but the 2024 season is a player option, which Stroman would likely opt out of. The Cubs know this, as do any potential trade partner, which makes him even more likely to be dealt. There are few places that would pursue the starter as aggressively as Houston could.

The Astros have seen quality starting pitching this year, but they know firsthand how starting pitch depth can carry a team through the playoffs. The acquisition of Stroman would permanently move Ronel Blanco to the bullpen. To replace McCullers, they will need to replace an arm that could have thrown a sub-3.30 ERA for the remainder of the season. Marcus Stroman offers that and more to Houston.

Houston could be the dream landing spot for Stroman, as they offer an excellent chance to win baseball games, which the Cubs have struggled to do.

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