How Astros can make trade for Marlins' Cy Young 'without issue'

The Houston Astros could use another frontline starting pitcher.

Hunter Brown is the AL West club's ace, but the Astros lack solid rotational depth after Peter Lamber's breakout season.

Even without a new general manager, the Astros should be busy this offseason. They need at least one outfielder and one starter, if not multiple.

FanSided's Jake Elman wrote that the Astros could target Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara. However, the Marlins may prefer to keep Alcantara as they look to compete for a postseason berth in 2027.

"We're honestly not sure whether the Marlins would trade Alcantara, who has a $21 million club option with a $1 million trade assignment bonus. He had an impressive bounce-back season in 2026 with a 3.87 ERA, his lowest since his 2022 NL Cy Young campaign, and he looked more confident as the season progressed," Elman wrote.

Alcantara isn't racking up strikeouts like he used to, punching out just 17.1% of the batters he faced in 2026.

Still, he was a workhorse, finishing the season with a Major League high of 214 innings.

"Alcantara just turned 31, and he'd slot in behind Hunter Brown as the Astros' No. 2 pitcher. We should also note he doesn't have a no-trade clause, so the penny-pinching Marlins could part ways with him without issue," Elman added.

The Astros don't have to jump through hoops if they'd like to acquire Alcantara to be their No. 2 starter. As detailed, he does not have a no-trade clause in his contract.

Houston's front office should definitley target rotation upgrades this winter, and Alcantara is an intriguing option who will earn a reasonable $21 million next season.