The Houston Astros addressed their starting pitching needs by acquiring right-hander Mike Burrows from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. The Pirates gained infielder Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and left-hander Mason Montgomery, while the Rays received prospects Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito. This deal highlights each team's offseason strategy amid roster adjustments.
The trade, completed on Friday, underscores the Astros' focus on bolstering their rotation amid injury concerns and the potential departure of Framber Valdez. Houston general manager Dana Brown emphasized the club's priority, stating, “We will definitely pursue more pitching... it's all about pitching, pitching, pitching. So we're locked in. We don't feel like we're done for this offseason.”
Burrows, 26, had a solid rookie season with the Pirates in 2025, posting a 3.94 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 96 innings in 23 appearances, including 19 starts. He struck out 24.1% of batters while walking 7.7%, contributing 1.3 fWAR. Drafted in the 11th round in 2018, his debut was delayed by Tommy John surgery in 2023. The Astros value his diverse pitch mix—four-seamer averaging 95.5 mph, changeup, slider, curveball and a seldom-used sinking two-seamer—and his control through 2031. Brown noted plans to build him up gradually, targeting around 160 innings in 2026, adding, “We'll certainly protect him, because he's going to be part of our future, and we'll build him up the right way.”
For the Pirates, who ranked last in runs, home runs and OPS in 2025, Lowe provides a power bat at second base. The 31-year-old slashed .256/.307/.477 with 31 homers in 553 plate appearances, earning his second All-Star nod. He has one year left at $11.5 million. Mangum, 29, hit .296/.330/.368 as a rookie, excelling in baserunning (27 steals) and defense (six outs above average across outfield spots). Montgomery, 25, showed promise with a 98.7 mph fastball and 30.1% strikeout rate, despite a 5.67 ERA and control issues.
The Rays, shedding payroll, acquired Houston's No. 2 prospect Melton—a center-field defender—and No. 7 prospect Brito, a high-ceiling righty. Pittsburgh designated Tsung-Che Cheng and Marco Luciano for assignment to accommodate the newcomers. Brown acknowledged the cost, saying, “Make no mistake, it's not easy to part ways with successful pieces... but when there are a lot of teams that need starters, that's where the market is.” This move aligns with Houston's approach of targeted trades over big free-agent splashes, following signings of Ryan Weiss and Nate Pearson.
