The Houston Astros' "dream acquisition" prior to Major League Baseball's Aug. 1 trade deadline is Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Heyman also notes that the Astros are "definitely looking at" Chicago Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman, while the Detroit Tigers' Eduardo Rodriguez, St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Montgomery, and Cease's teammate Lucas Giolito are all considered possibilities as Houston seeks to bolster its rotation.

Despite the White Sox being well out of the playoff hunt at 40-55, Cease is one of four players on the team considered close to untouchable in trade talks, Heyman adds.