Chicago Cubs Rumors: Your midday MLB Trade Deadline update

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TORONTO, ON – JULY 24: Francisco Liriano #45 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the first inning during MLB game action against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre on July 24, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Houston focused on arms

After bolstering the Blue Jays’ rotation last year in a deadline deal, Francisco Liriano has struggle mightily in 2017. His earned run average sits north of 5.50 and he’s allowing almost 10 hits per nine innings pitched.

Still, it was just last year he showed how effective he can be. Cubs fans will no-doubt remember him from his time with the Pirates, where he spent four years in the rotation. Now, though, the Houston Astros are reportedly nearing a deal to bring him to Texas – where he would pitch as a reliever.

Sources: #Astros talking to #BlueJays about Liriano. HOU also working on other things. Likely would use Liriano as reliever if deal happens.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017

Houston, of course, has been linked to Yu Darvish, Sonny Gray and Justin Verlander for over a week now. They were also reportedly in on Jose Quintana before Chicago landed the southpaw earlier this month.

Given they plan to use Liriano out of the pen, this move doesn’t seem to rule out Houston from talks for the above arms. They clearly want (and need) to add another starting pitcher to pair up with Dallas Kuechel and Lance McCullers – and a top-tier arm may very well make them the favorites to win the pennant in the American League.

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