The Astros weren’t ready to part ways with a young arm and you can’t blame them for that. Cease is a pending free agent, so if they really want him, they can sign him this winter and they’ll still get to retain Arrighetti. But if their postseason comes up short and Arrighetti’s postseason debut is a dud, they’ll always wonder what if.

Having a strikeout pitcher in the playoffs sets your team up for success, and if Cease can continue his hot streak (two or less earned runs and nine or more strikeouts in three of his last four starts), the Padres will be even more built for a playoff run.

The Houston Astros made their fair share of moves at the trade deadline, but not acquiring San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease is a miss.