The Houston Astros are synonymous with relentless ambition in their quest for pitching dominance. Their pursuit of Blake Snell, a former Cy Young winner, has been a recurring theme. After a flirtation last summer and Snell’s prolonged free agency this year, might the Astros reignite his interest?

Last August, Astros owner Jim Crane dropped a bombshell: the team had targeted both Blake Snell and elite closer Josh Hader from the Padres. While they did sign Hader this winter, the Snell question lingers.

Despite GM Dana Brown’s public backing of their rotation, his admission to The Athletic, stating “Would I love to have him [Snell]? Yeah,” speaks volumes. This signals a continued, if not heightened, level of interest for the star ace this season.

The 2023 addition of Justin Verlander seemed to solidify the Astros’ pitching staff. Yet, delayed preparations for Opening Day raise eyebrows. While Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier possess immense talent, their disappointing finishes in 2023 are cause for concern. 

Valdez’s recent struggles in the Grapefruit League highlight the need for consistency. Promising youngsters like Hunter Brown and Ronel Blanco offer hope, and the pending returns of Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are encouraging. However, adding a bona fide ace like Blake Snell would be the ultimate insurance policy, considering how no other team has made a serious offer to the ace other than the Yankees this year.

Blake Snell: Why He Might Be the Missing Piece of the Astros’ Rotation

Snell isn’t just any pitcher; he’s a proven game-changer. His electric stuff and Cy Young pedigree would make him an instant upgrade to the team’s rotation—but that’s not even half of the reason why they should make a definite leap for him.

Snell provides a dominant lefty presence, a valuable asset in a right-handed heavy rotation like the Astros’. Crucially, Snell personifies the “quality start” mentality that Brown champions: “If they give us quality starts, we’ll hit, we can catch the ball and we can close games out. We need quality starts. There’s no mistaking about that.” His arrival would give them the depth and consistency crucial for a deep playoff run.

The Astros’ decision hinges on the early performance of their existing starters. If the rotation wobbles or injuries derail plans, expect a swift pivot toward a blockbuster Blake Snell acquisition. While they express trust in their current arms, the temptation of pairing Snell with a potentially healthy McCullers, a rejuvenated Verlander, and an energized Valdez/Javier tandem is a championship-caliber formula.

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As Brown emphasizes, “Quality starts are the key. I won’t panic until they consistently have bad starts.” Only time will tell if the Astros will make a bold move for Snell, but this season, this isn’t just about talent anymore; it’s about Houston’s win-at-all-costs mentality.