Astros trade with Giants, get pitcher Kai-Wei Teng

The Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants completed a trade Thursday, reshaping both teams’ pitching depth. Houston acquired right-handed pitcher Kai-Wei Teng, while San Francisco received catcher Jancel Villarroel and international bonus pool money.

Astros Bolster Pitching Staff

This move is particularly notable for the Astros, who experienced significant challenges with injuries to their pitching rotation and bullpen last season. The addition of Teng, 27, provides additional arms as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Teng’s Profile

Teng has appeared in 12 Major League games, including seven starts, over the past two seasons with the Giants, posting a 7.30 ERA. He has demonstrated strikeout ability, with 46 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings, but also issued 25 walks. He possesses a five-pitch mix, with his “sweeper” being a key offering, generating a 34.6% whiff rate against opposing hitters in 2025.

Did You Know? Tom Cosgrove led all qualified rookie relievers in 2023 with a 1.75 ERA and a .173 opponents’ batting average.

Cosgrove Added on Minor League Deal

In a separate move, the Astros also reached an agreement with left-hander Tom Cosgrove on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Cosgrove, who pitched for the Padres and Cubs, has a career ERA of 3.95 across 72 games. He excelled as a rookie in 2023, finishing in the 100th percentile in hard-hit rate and average exit velocity.

Villarroel Heads to San Francisco

The Giants acquired Villarroel, a 21-year-old catcher who was ranked as the Astros’ No. 13 prospect before the trade. He is now the Giants’ No. 27 prospect. In 100 games across Single-A Fayetteville and High-A Asheville, Villarroel recorded a slash line of .259/.351/.388, with 18 doubles and 20 stolen bases. He has also seen time in the outfield, starting 22 games there.

Expert Insight: The Astros’ acquisition of pitching depth, even in the form of players needing development or with recent struggles, demonstrates a proactive approach to mitigating the impact of potential injuries – a clear lesson learned from the previous season.

The Astros signed Villarroel out of Venezuela in 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary piece the Astros received in this trade?

The Astros received right-handed pitcher Kai-Wei Teng.

What position does Jancel Villarroel primarily play?

Jancel Villarroel primarily plays catcher, though he has also started 22 games in the outfield.

What was Tom Cosgrove’s ERA in 2023?

Tom Cosgrove had a 1.75 ERA in 2023.

How will these moves ultimately impact the Astros’ and Giants’ performance remains to be seen, but both teams have clearly aimed to address specific needs within their organizations as they approach Spring Training.