With the expectation remaining that Framber Valdez will be pitching elsewhere in 2026, the Houston Astros' priority this offseason will be upgrading their starting rotation. While a potential reunion with Justin Verlander feels like something Jim Crane will force upon the front office, FanSided's own Robert Murray believes that the Astros may circle back to a player they targeted at the MLB trade deadline.
The Astros nearly traded for Cease at the deadline, but were unwilling to part with Spencer Arrighetti as part of the package that would have been sent to the San Diego Padres.