The Houston Astros, despite a shaky 13-13 start to the 2025 season, remain a formidable team but face uncertainties about whether they will be buyers or sellers by the trade deadline. Kenneth Teape suggests that the Astros could benefit from acquiring St. Louis Cardinals' Sonny Gray, a three-time All-Star pitcher, to bolster their rotation. Gray, who is under contract until 2027 with a hefty $75 million deal, could provide stability and serve as an insurance policy if Framber Valdez departs. This potential trade, while expensive, may align with Houston's win-now strategy, even though it follows their decision to trade Kyle Tucker. The Cardinals' 11-15 start suggests they may become sellers, making Gray's acquisition feasible for the Astros, provided they can manage his substantial contract.

The Houston Astros have had a modest start to the 2025 season, currently holding a 13-13 record, which raises questions about their strategy as the trade deadline approaches, especially regarding their starting rotation.

Kenneth Teape of Astros on SI proposes that the Astros target Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals, who is considered a high-end middle rotation arm and could be a valuable addition if the Astros decide to acquire more starting pitching.

Sonny Gray, a three-time All-Star, has been consistently productive and is under team control until 2026 with an option for 2027, making him a strategic target for the Astros, especially if they anticipate losing Framber Valdez in free agency.

Gray's contract, valued at $75 million over three years, poses a financial challenge, but it might still be a shorter commitment compared to other potential deals in free agency, aligning with the Astros’ short-term competitive goals.

The Cardinals' poor start to the season, with an 11-15 record, indicates they might be sellers, which could facilitate a trade for Gray, despite the financial implications for the Astros, who recently traded away Kyle Tucker.

The Houston Astros looked more vulnerable than usual to begin the 2025 season, but it's never wise to bet against this squad.

Granted, the Astros were just 13-13 entering play on Sunday. But the starting pitching has generally been good, and the offense will eventually round into form if Houston can get production from its stars.

The Astros can probably count on Yordan Alvarez, José Altuve, and Christian Walker to round into form. But it's not entirely clear they'll be able to weather the season with their current rotation, even though the top of that rotation has been good so far.

What's also unclear is whether the Astros will be buyers, sellers, or neither this season. But one writer is getting ahead of the curve by pointing out a potential starting pitching trade target ahead of the Jul. 31 deadline.

In a recent article, Kenneth Teape of Astros on SI proposed that St. Louis Cardinals three-time All-Star Sonny Gray could be a strong fit for Houston if they pursue starting pitching at the deadline.

"Gray was involved in plenty of trade rumors over the winter but stayed put at the start of the season. Off to an 11-15 start, their play certainly seems like a team that will eventually be selling," Teape wrote.

Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp

"Consistently productive for several years, Gray is flying under the radar as a high-end middle of the rotation arm. Under team control in 2026 and with a team option for 2027, he is another target to provide insurance in case (Framber) Valdez departs."

The albatross here is Gray's contract. It's a three-year, $75 million deal that began last season, paying him $25 million this year, $35 million next year, and $30 million club option in 2027 with a $5 million buyout.

If the Astros are willing to stomach that sort of money, it would at least be a shorter commitment than whatever Valdez gets in free agency. And it would be the ultimate win-now move, even if that would be confusing to some after trading away Kyle Tucker this winter.

More MLB: Blue Jays 'reason for pessimism' spelled out by MLB insider amid sub-.500 start