The Houston Astros are heading into the 2023 season with a target on their backs, having recently won their second World Series title in a six-year span.
They’ll do so without their longtime ace in right-hander Justin Verlander, who signed with the New York Mets on a two-year, $86 million deal.
And so, the Astros have a few questions to answer with their starting rotation, which is still quite deep.
On MLB Network, analysts Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds discussed the state of the Astros rotation and who could eventually emerge as the new ace with the reigning American League Cy Young now in New York.
With the departure of Justin Verlander, who is the ace of the defending champs?#MLBNHotStove weighs in on the emergence of Framber Valdez and depth of the Astros' rotation. pic.twitter.com/7VaHWO8U2b
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 14, 2023
Vasgersian and Reynolds both pointed to left-hander Framber Valdez as the new face of the rotation, citing his postseason experience as a reason to consider him for the ace role.
The two analysts also discussed right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. as a potential option, given his experience in the postseason and the fact that he is the longest tenured member of the team’s rotation.
But McCullers was discussed more as a No. 2 starter and somebody who could serve as a co-ace in the Astros rotation.
Reynolds’ reasoning for considering Valdez over McCullers is that Valdez has been healthy in recent years.
McCullers is now healthy, but isn’t too far removed from Tommy John surgery, which cost him the entire 2021 season.
Valdez went 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA in 31 starts during the 2022 season and amassed a total of 201.1 innings pitched.
The 29-year-old appears to be the most likely candidate to inherit the role of ace.
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