Astros insider outlines major reason why Ranger Suarez, Michael King aren't Houston's free agent targets

Houston Astros insider Chandler Rome believes that owner Jim Crane's spending habit effectively rules out Houston from pursuing Ranger Suarez and Michael King. The two free agents are among the best starting pitchers available, but Rome sees the Astros upgrading the rotation via trade rather than an expensive contract.

Chandler Rome is the Athletics' staff writer covering the Astros. Before that, he covered the team for the Houston Chronicle. He shared his thoughts about the Astros' offseason strategy on Saturday's episode of "Crush City Territory."

"Jim Crane's never given any player more than $151 million," Rome said (12:22). "People have asked about Michael King. Yes, both Suarez and Michael King are probably in the notch below the Framber/Cease echelon. They're probably in a notch below that, but the Astros, they're not playing in that pool."

"This is not going to be a situation where they are going to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a free agent starting pitcher," he added. "This is going to come via trade. It's going to come with moving some money, a little bit of money, off the books to get a young, controllable starter in here."

Sportrac projects Ranger Suarez and Michael King's contracts to be $161,561,694 for six years and $91,906,272 for 4 years, respectively. Dylan Cease had already signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Blue Jays.

Meanwhile, Sportrac estimates Framber Valdez's contract to be $199,910,2626 for six years. Valdez has only played for the Astros in the MLB. He has earned two All-Star selections and an All-MLB First Team selection.

Astros insider speculates scenario of Ranger Suarez or Michael King landing in Houston

In the same conversation with Josh Reddick and Tyler Stafford, Chandler Rome acknowledged that the potential addition of Ranger Suarez or Michael King would upgrade the Astros' rotation.

However, Rome doesn't see Jim Crane giving $100 million contracts for pitchers. Still, he sees a scenario where Suarez and King could join the Astros.

"The only way I see that changing is if we get to the last week of January and Ranger Suarez and Michael King don't have teams, and their demands have to come down a little bit," Rome said (Timestamp: 17:00).

"They have to be okay with taking a two-year deal with an opt-out after the first year. And that's where I think the Astros would get involved."

Both Suarez and King have received qualifying offers. Suarez posted a 12-8 record for the Phillies at 3.20 ERA and was an All-Star. Meanwhile, King had a solid but injury-laden 2025 campaign for the Padres. He posted a 5-3 record at 3.44 ERA.