HOUSTON -- Astros owner Jim Crane said on Monday that the club is "actively pursuing a high-end starter," possibly on the free-agent market, but also through a trade.
Attending a news conference at Houston City Hall to formally announce the Astros' World Series Championship Trophy Tour, Crane said the club would be willing to dip into its talent-rich farm system to acquire a front-line starter and fortify a World Series rotation that starred Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr. and Dallas Keuchel.
The Astros have asked the Pirates about Gerrit Cole this offseason, a source told MLB.