MLB free agency: Astros meeting with Yu Darvish

The Houston Astros are meeting with free agent Yu Darvish in Texas in an effort to bolster their starting rotation, according to Jon Heyman.

Just one day after the Cubs met with the right-hander, the defending World Series champs are looking to throw their hat into the ring and make a pitch for the 31-year-old Darvish, who the Astros knocked around in the Fall Classic.

Darvish lasted just 3 ¹⁄₃ innings in the World Series and finished with a 21.60 ERA. He was an All-Star in 2017 before being traded to the Dodgers, and finished the regular season with a 3.86 ERA, and averaged just over 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

While the future of the Astros is bright, their rotation is a bit uncertain. Dallas Keuchel is now with agent Scott Boras, which means the franchise can expect a hefty contract demand next offseason when Keuchel becomes a free agent. Justin Verlander is still under contract but is soon to be 36 years old, and the rest of the Astros’ rotation of Lance McCullers Jr. and Charlie Morton have had their inconsistencies.

If the Astros decide to go after Darvish, they will likely have to compete with the Cubs, Twins, and possibly the Mariners, according to Heyman.