A MAJOR DEAL?
Report of Astros acquiring starting pitcher Gerrit Cole from the Pirates was premature
Jan 10, 2018, 11:44 am
Gerrit Cole is reportedly going to be an Astro. Sbnation.com
The Astros bid to repeat as World Series champions appeared to get a big boost on Wednesday. And then it didn't. The Astros reportedly acquired Pittsbugh Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole for prospects. The deal was reported by Jon Morosi of MLB Network and confirmed by several other MLB sources.
However, Jeff Passan of Yahoo disputed the report. Several others joined him in shooting down the deal. Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, the best source of all, also disputed the report.
"We have talked to several teams about possible trades," Luhnow told Passan. "At this point, nothing is imminent."
He also told Mark Berman of Fox Sports that "We are talking to some free agents and some teams about possible deals. As of right now, nothing is close enough to become newsworthy."
Morosi never updated his tweets, but did write a story that backed off his assertion that the deal was agreed upon.
If the deal does get done, this is a great move for the Astros. The 27-year-old Cole had a down season last year, with a career-worst 4.26 ERA. But he is under team control for two more seasons and for his career he is 59-42 with a 3.50 ERA.
The move for Cole would open up all kinds of possibilities. A 1-2-3 of Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel and Cole will match up with anyone. The depth would be stronger with Charlie Morton, Lance McCullers, Colin McHugh and potentially Brad Peacock behind them. It frees the Astros up to move Peacock to the bullpen full time, and perhaps even consider McCullers as a closer. It also provides insurance in case Keuchel bolts after next season.
Morosi pointed out on Twitter that Cole's arbitration filing deadline is Friday and the Astros wanted to have the deal done so that they could do it at their own number.
It would be a strong move that should only make the Astros better in 2018. With a full season of Verlander and the addition of Cole, the Astros are poised to make another magical run. If it gets done, of course.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Christian Walker and Yainer Diaz homered, Jesús Sánchez ended a lengthy slump with five hits and the Houston Astros beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-2 Thursday night to snap a four-game losing streak.
The Astros scored early and often against Baltimore rookie Brandon Young, who six days earlier in Houston had a perfect game ruined with two outs in the eighth inning. In the rematch, the AL West leaders built a 7-1 lead in the third and coasted.
Walker hit a two-run homer in the first, Carlos Correa singled in two runs in the second and Diaz connected in the third with a runner on after Sánchez delivered an RBI single.
Sánchez broke an 0-for-29 skid with a first-inning single and finished 5 for 5, his most productive day with Houston since being acquired from Miami in a July 31 trade. The five hits tied a career high.
Young (1-7) gave up seven runs and nine hits before leaving with one out in the sixth after hurting his left hamstring while covering first base on a grounder.
Jason Alexander (4-1) allowed two runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings for Houston. Since being claimed off waivers from the Athletics on May 18, the right-hander is 4-1 with a save in eight appearances.
Dylan Beavers hit his first major league homer for Baltimore in the second inning and added a run-scoring groundout in the sixth.
The Orioles had won three straight and six of seven.
Key moment
Walker’s 17th home run with two outs in the first got the Astros rolling against Young, who yielded only one hit in Houston on Aug. 15.
Key stat
Not only did Sánchez end his slump, but Houston C Victor Caratini broke an 0-for-17 run with a second-inning single.
Up next
Astros RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (2-4, 6.90 ERA) faces Baltimore lefty Cade Povich (2-6, 4.98) on Friday.