



– The Houston Astros are in a position to add some talent to their roster for the playoff push. The postseason is somewhere the team hasn’t been since 2005 when they lost in the World Series to the Chicago White Sox. The Astros might be looking for a starting pitcher to add to the rotation to help Dallas Keuchel down the stretch. One name that has been floated out there is Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price.

Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow joined Nick Wright and John Lopez In The Loop on Tuesday morning on SportsRadio 610 and Price’s dog was brought up in the conversation because the pooch’s name is Astro.

“We’ve got some Vanderbilt guys in our system with (Tony) Kemp and (Conrad) Gregor,” Luhnow told Nick & Lopez. “I follow all the Vanderbilt chatter and I did know his dog’s name is Astro. Maybe that is a sign of things to come.”

Price would fit what Luhnow says is the biggest need for the Astros down the stretch.

“A pitcher that could help us in the rotation if we get to the playoffs and to help us get to the playoffs,” Luhnow said was something he’d be looking to add before the July 31st trade deadline. “To get one of those established guys with playoff experience who is a true number one or number two. They are hard to do, and I’m not sure we’re going to do it, but we’re going to give it a good go.”

Price who won the Cy Young in 2012 and currently is sporting a 9-3 record with a 2.32 ERA for the Tigers is a free agent at the end of the year. Luhnow said the team would deal with any free agents in the offseason to see if giving them a big contract would work for the team. Just because they will be a free agent isn’t going to deter Luhnow from pursuing those types of players.

“If we were going to trade for a player whose contract expired at the end of this year we would all have to assume that that player is not going to return,” Luhnow said. “I think that is the wise thing to do. It’s a bonus if the player enjoys being in Houston and wants to stay here but some of the names that are being discussed and some of the guys we are talking about are going to command hundred plus million dollar contracts next year. And we might not be the best team for those players, but we might be the best team for those players in the playoff run this year. We’re going to have to evaluate it player by player and really see what we have to give up and see what we are getting in return. Everything is a gamble if you go for one of these short term guys, you are going to have to give up some future potential to do it.”

And when it comes to that future potential Luhnow isn’t afraid to let the top Minor Leauge prospects go.

“My approach is that no one is untouchable,” Luhnow said of any player in the Astros Minor League system. “I’ve got to listen. We have a robust minor league system. We’ve got a lot of prospects. Different teams like different guys so I’ve got to listen to who they like and what their proposals are and see if they make sense for us.”

Luhnow did mention that players in the Majors like George Springer, Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, and Dallas Keuchel would not be going anywhere. He also said it would “be pretty tough” to get young pitcher Lance McCullers away from the Astros.

The Astros are currently two games behind the Angels for the lead in the AL West but with nine games still to play against the division leaders, anything can happen. And if the Astros and Jeff Luhnow are able to add to the pitching they desire they can make a serious run.

“We’re really going to try and go for it,” says Luhnow. “That may mean some moves here in the next ten days.”