The Astros were sniffing around the Dylan Cease market at the trade deadline, but there is one player they refused to give the Padres.

Cease could just be a half-year rental because of all the starting pitchers on Houston's injured list. The Astros have a full rotation sidelined. Lance McCullers, Luis Garcia, Ronel Blanco, Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier and J.P. France are all on the injured list.

Cease, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, would be a rental for the current AL West leaders.