Per a report from CBSSports.com, word is out that the Miami Marlins have an interest in making a trade for Houston Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, who went 11-11 with a 3.49 ERA in 30 starts during the 2010 season, seems to be the only real asset remaining in the Astros' major-league portfolio. Houston's gradually shed a ton of payroll in the last six months, and the Astros currently owe Rodriguez $10 million in 2012 and $13 million in 2013.
Earlier reports are out that Miami are also heavily pursuing Texas Rangers free-agent pitcher C.J. Wilson and Chicago White Sox free-agent pitcher Mark Buerhle, so its relatively unknown as to how high a priority Rodriguez would be to the Marlins. The Marlins are aggressively targeting Hispanic talent for their new-look squad, and that's one trait that Rodriguez would have as a one-up on over his contemporaries.
For more insights and analysis on all things Houston Astros, check out the SB Nation blog The Crawfish Boxes.