The Astros are better than most expected. After last season, many thought the Astros would be pulling up the rear of Major League Baseball – very much like the San Diego Padres are now. Instead, the Astros are nine games under .500 and just 7.5 games back. Compare that with some other teams in the league like the Padres (20 games under, 18 games back), the Twins (12 games under, 12.5 games back), and the Cubs (19 games under, 12.5 games back), and Houston is in better shape than their new owner could have hoped. However, they will still be sellers come the trade deadline, and one of those sales may include Brett Myers.
The Astros’ closer has a vesting option built into his contract, but according to John Paul Morosi of Fox Sports that should not hinder teams from taking him on in a trade. However, it should make the Astros eager to deal him. The vesting option kicks in if Myers pitches in 45 games and doesn’t end the season on the disabled list. It’s a $10 million option with a $3 million buy-out.
"“It’s not that scary of an option,” one rival executive said of Myers. “I wouldn’t imagine it’s going to be a huge hindrance (to his trade value).”"
Myers has appeared in 22 games this year for Houston and has 14 saves. His ERA is 2.25. With the number of closers hitting the disabled list this year, there are numerous teams who could be interested in Myers. Teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, and Miami Marlins may have interest in picking up a closer to help them push through the second half. There should be more interest this season with the two added wild card teams. More teams will be in the hunt for the postseason, and those additional teams should be buyers.
Myers has a career 4.21 ERA, but he has been used as a starter for most of his career. The Astros sent him to the ;pen to be their closer, and he has excelled. He also closed games for the Phillies in 2007. He had 21 saves with a 4.33 ERA that year.
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