Houston Astros righty Gerrit Cole is hoping for an active trade deadline from his team.
Speaking with Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle this week, the All-Star pitcher called on the club to make a splash ahead of the Jul. 31 deadline.
“I’d like to see us add,” he said. “I’d like to see us add some good pieces, some impact pieces. I think with the people that we’re competing against, not just in our division, we’re looking for home-field advantage against the Yankees and the Red Sox and ultimately against the best team in the National League as well. I think those things weigh heavily on some of the outcomes of a series. It certainly makes things more challenging when you have to go on the road.
“We are in a position to afford an impact player,” Cole added. “Whether that be a starter, reliever or a position player — I’ll leave the technical stuff up to [general manager] Jeff [Luhnow] and those guys and how they want to do it. But I anticipate them making a strong move.”
Cole, who himself was acquired by Houston in a midseason trade, has had a stellar year with a 9-5 record, a 3.09 ERA, and an AL-leading 170 strikeouts. While the Astros have had a fearsome 1-2-3 punch in him, Justin Verlander, and Wade Miley, their rotation lacks punch beyond that, and they have also struggled to get consistent offense out of their lesser-known batters.
Houston does still currently have the MLB’s third-best record behind the Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. But with an eye on the playoffs, they may need more help (such as this standout pitcher they were just linked to).
