The Astros have gone all in for the next two seasons with the Gerrit Cole trade. They now have some security if Dallas Keuchel and/or Charlie Morton leave via free agency. They will still have Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers, Collin McHugh, and Cole. Would Keuchel automatically leave? We would hope not.
The best thing about the Cole trade is that we have an insurance policy just in case. The Astros raised pre-flop and look to win again in 2018-19. Despite already having a great rotation, they make it legendary by adding Cole.