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Houston is seeking starting pitching help and is interested in Royals starters Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy, according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart.
The Astros seem to be conducting a comprehensive search and have also been linked to Jake Odorizzi, Chris Archer and Jose Quintana this offseason.
Kansas City has been upfront with its desire to move expensive veteran players this winter and has already completed one deal, sending Wade Davis to the Cubs in exchange for Jorge Soler.
Ventura, 25, struggled last season, pitching to a 4.45 ERA and 4.59 FIP over 186.0 innings with the Royals. However, he has pitched to a career 3.89 ERA, and his contract features club options for 2020 and 2021.
Duffy, 27, had a solid 2016 season, posting a 3.51 ERA and 3.83 FIP over 179.2 innings. He is eligible for free agency in 2018 but might give the Astros a more reliable option.
Houston’s starters pitched to a 4.37 ERA, which ranked eighth in the American League, last season.