Astros Fans Eye NL Shake-Up as Cardinals Land Dustin May on 1-Year Deal

The MLB offseason keeps throwing curveballs, and this time it’s the St. Louis Cardinals making noise by landing right-hander Dustin May on a one-year, $12.5 million contract. While the move doesn’t involve the Houston Astros directly, it matters for fans in our baseball-obsessed city.

May, known for his electric velocity and heavy sinker, is rehabbing from elbow surgery but carries massive upside. If he bounces back, he immediately strengthens the Cardinals’ rotation and shifts the competitive balance in the National League. That’s important for Houston, especially with the Astros chasing another postseason run and keeping tabs on contenders who could stand in their way.

Why It Matters for Houston

The Astros faced the Cardinals earlier this year, and with interleague matchups more common now, roster upgrades like this one shape the landscape across MLB. Houston’s front office is watching these moves closely as they continue evaluating pitching depth and potential trade-deadline opportunities.

May’s contract also signals something bigger: teams are betting big on upside arms despite injury histories. That could influence how the Astros position their own rotation strategy moving forward.

What’s Next

All eyes now shift to May’s rehab timeline. If he returns strong, the Cardinals become a legitimate threat for October. Astros fans know better than anyone how quickly a dominant pitcher can change a team’s postseason outlook.

Houston will continue monitoring the free-agent and trade markets, but for now, this move serves as another reminder that the NL is getting tougher—and the Astros will need every edge they can get.

This article is a summary of reporting by MSN. Read the full story here.