The Houston Astros took their first major step toward replacing Framber Valdez last weekend when they traded for starting pitcher Mike Burrows as part of a three-team trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays. Burrows' arrival, on paper, sets the Astros' starting rotation ahead of Opening Day next season.
Burrows, joined by fellow new arrival Ryan Weiss, will likely join a rotation that already includes Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Lance McCullers Jr. Nate Pearson signed with the Astros this offseason with the expectation of being stretched out as a starting pitcher, and given their intentions at the deadline, Houston seems to still have belief in 25-year-old Spencer Arrighetti.