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By Zach Pressnell
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Houston Astros are once again one of the best teams in baseball this season. They're the clear top dog in the American League West, and it has them looking like serious buyers ahead of the trade deadline.
With that in mind, the Astros could target a starting pitcher to add atop the rotation beside Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez.
ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel recently suggested the Astros are one of the "best fits" in a trade for Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo.
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"Lugo has posted mid-3.00s or lower ERAs for five seasons despite having below-average fastball velocity and good-not-great strikeout rates. His ability to strand runners and limit hard contact comes in part due to his nine different pitches," They wrote. "With a Nathan Eovaldi-type contract awaiting Lugo in free agency, Kansas City could opt to move him, especially if Cole Ragans' injured shoulder doesn't improve."
Houston's pitching rotation has been good but not great this season. Brown and Valdez have looked like one of the better pitching duos in baseball, but that's all the Astros seemingly have.
Adding Lugo, who's in the middle of an excellent season, would be the boost Houston needs. The Royals' righty has made 14 starts this season and holds an ERA under 3.00. He ranks top 15 in baseball with a 1.05 WHIP as well.
It might not be a cheap trade for Houston to pull off, but it would certainly be worth it. If the Astros can go into the postseason with a three-headed monster of Lugo, Brown, and Valdez atop their pitching staff, they're going to be in a very good spot.
More MLB: Phillies Involved In Trade Buzz Surrounding $4.1 Million Pitcher
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