The Houston Astros are 30-25, just 1/2 a game back of the Seattle Mariners in the American League West. However, an injury to Ronel Blanco could force them to add a starter to stay in the race.
The Astros have already lost Hayden Wesneski to Tommy John surgery. Now, the team recently announced that Blanco would also miss the rest of the season after Tommy John surgery. With two of their preferred starters now out for the year, Sports Illustrated’s Kyle Morton tabbed Andrew Heaney of the Pittsburgh Pirates as a trade target.
“For a more short-term option, Dana Brown could make a call to the Steel City, where veteran southpaw Andrew Heaney has unlocked a new version of himself in 2025,” wrote Morton.
Heaney has a 3.41 ERA in 11 starts. He is having a resurgent season and his playing his best baseball since he was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022. In 60 2/3 innings of work, he has 44 strikeouts. With Blanco and Wesneski out for the year, a player like Heaney could help patch up the Astros’ rotation.
“Heaney’s peripherals suggest that some regression is coming right up, but he still has plenty to offer a contending team,” wrote Morton. “As a member of the 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers, Heaney worked 11 solid innings over three starts and five appearances.”
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Heaney will be a free agent after the season, and the Pirates are poised to be sellers at the deadline. While he is not the Pirates pitcher that every team is interested in as trade rumors begin to circulate, he is still a valuable arm for a contending team.
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