Houston Astros Have Meeting With Yu Darvish

The Houston Astros met with a high-profile free agent on Tuesday.

John Heymann reported yesterday that the Astros were scheduled to meet with right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish.

The 31-year old Darvish, who has also drawn reported interest from the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies, met with the Chicago Cubs on  Monday.

A 4-time All-Star, Darvish pitched for both the Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, going a combined 10-12 with a 3.86 ERA, while compiling 209 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings. He pitched well in his two starts in the NLDS and NLCS, but gave up nine runs (eight earned) in 3 1/3 innings across two starts in the World Series against the Astros.

There were numerous reports that Darvish was tipping off his pitches to Astros hitters in the World Series.

Over his 5-year career, Darvish is 56-42, to go along with a 3.42 ERA.

The Astros may be interested in adding pitching help for not only this season, but in the future, as Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton can both become free agent following the 2018 season.

I can see Darvish signing with the Astros, but the most likely destination would be the Cubs, who have more of a sense of urgency to add pitching help, with the possible departure of free agent Jake Arrieta.