Houston Astros: Which relievers will the club target at the deadline?
The Astros possess a strong bullpen unit, but the front office isn’t complacent. Hence, if there is an opportunity for the team to get better, Houston will look into it. Here are some players it might have interest in.
The Astros entered the year with an established bullpen filled with a versatile group of relievers. And while Houston’s relief corps currently owns the fourth-best ERA in the league, there is always room to improve.
If the front office plans to better its already-successful sort of pitchers, it will likely seek elite arms – Zach Britton, Brad Hand and Kelvin Herrera. However, there are several buy-low options available from teams already looking ahead to next season.
Several questions surround the Astros as the trade deadline approaches.
Does the team essentially need another pitcher in the pen? What would Houston be willing to exchange in return? Who would provide the most value to a team that’s already atop the standings in the MLB?
The addition of Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander exemplify the Astros’ willingness to add elite players, especially if they don’t have to bet the farm in exchange. To this point, it’s more than evident that Houston won both of those trades.
However, it’s been a while since general manager Jeff Luhnow sought proficient bullpen help. Nevertheless, the Astros boast a deep farm system and the minds to acquire that help.
Essentially three relievers are having subpar seasons, but it depends on how fans look at it. Ken Giles, for example, owns a bloated 4.56 ERA. However, if you take out three rough outings against the Yankees, Red Sox and Indians, he allowed just three runs in 22 1/3 innings.
Moreover, Joe Smith – the newcomer – somehow owns the worst ERA on the team despite holding hitters to a .214 average. Most of the damage against him came as a result of four home runs.
Lastly, Will Harris is enduring his worst season in Houston. Yet, he still strikes several guys out, and he’s had some rough luck. His 2.48 FIP does not match his 4.32 ERA.
Thus, a major inquiry centers on the type of reliever the Astros are interested in. Will they require a league-leading closer on a poor team? Or would they rather have a lesser-known pitcher enjoying a breakout year?
Whichever route they take, they have several options currently on the market.
Zach Britton
Just two years ago, Britton enjoyed arguably one of the best relief seasons in the history of the sport. No one was more dominant late in games than the southpaw in 2016.
Britton was the only pitcher in baseball to rank in the top 11 in ERA in both 2015 and 2016. And in that 2016 career campaign, he owned a minuscule .54 ERA and .89 WHIP.
No relief pitcher in MLB history owned an ERA lower than that. The closest was Fernando Rodney in 2012, when he posted a .60 ERA for the Rays.
And yet, even when Baltimore had the opportunity to deal the closer for a substantial trade package, it held. But the Orioles finished 16 games over .500 that season and played in the American League Wild Card game.
This year, Baltimore sits in dead last in the AL East with a dreadful 20-50 record. Signs point toward a rebuild across the next few seasons as well.
Therefore, now is the opportunity to sell high on Britton while he’s still as efficient as he is.
Britton was just recently activated from the disabled list. after he ruptured his Achilles tendon late last December, forcing him to miss a considerable amount of time. He also dealt with several injuries in 2017, lessening his value – supposedly.
Houston has a chance to gain a solid pitcher at a lower price, even if he still requires a hefty collection in return. And Britton’s contract expires this season, so Baltimore will be interested.
Now the issue comes down to price. The Orioles’ pitching staff hasn’t ranked in the top 15 in ERA since 2014. They will want top-tier talent to fill the hole Britton leaves behind.
Brad Hand
Hand came onto the scene quickly in 2016. Prior to that year, the Padres closer was in Miami figuring himself out.
Once he arrived in San Diego, he focused on becoming a more dependable guy out of the pen. Now he’s one of the most dominant ninth-inning hurlers in the league.
The Padres utilized Hand in 82 games last year, the most appearances by a reliever since 2011. He ranked sixth that year in strikeouts among relievers too.
Hitters still struggle against the lefty, as he ranks in the top 10 in strikeouts per nine innings this year. Moreover, they sport a paltry .156 against him thus far in 2018.
As expected, Hand dominates left-handed hitters. Lefties have just two hits against him this season in 37 at-bats. He struck out 21 of those batters. The Astros fare alright against left-handed hitters, but they have just a few relievers that excel against them.
While Hand is one of the more effective late-inning guys, he’s not perfect.
The 28-year-old has control issues at times. Last season, he showed better command, though players hit better against him. That’s swapped this season, as his walk rate moved back up to 3.6 walks per nine innings – close to his career average.
Unlike Britton, Hand has another two years left on his contract with a team option for 2021. But like the Orioles, the Padres don’t look like a team in contention, though the National League West is anyone’s division right now.
San Diego needs pitching, something Houston can offer. Guys like David Paulino and Rogelio Armenteros could be available, though the Astros would need to include more prospects.
Amir Garrett
There weren’t many other pitchers that disappointed baseball fans as much as Garrett last season.
After posting excellent numbers in five of his first six career starts, the southpaw’s control issues and home run vulnerability plagued his path to success. But scouts were aware of his potential.
Cincinnati manager Bryan Price chose to keep Garrett in the bullpen despite having shallow rotation depth. It’s arguably paid off, being that the 26-year-old has pitched well. However, the Reds starting staff ranks 29th in ERA. Surely, Garrett couldn’t do much worse.
The lefty’s best attribute is his versatility. Like Devenski, Garrett can get outs in later innings of close games. But he can also pitch more than two innings in an outing.
Surprisingly, Garrett struggles more against left-handed hitters. They own a .233/.324/.450 slash line against him in 2018, whereas right-handers boast a .164/.219/.224 slash.
Yet, one aspect Garrett doesn’t struggle with is blowing pitches past hitters. He averages 10 strikeouts per nine innings and he’s surrendered just 11 walks in 37 innings so far.
There are essentially two issues that may keep Garrett away from the Astros. First, the left-hander has a team-friendly contract. Also, he needs to exhibit more consistency.
Garrett won’t be a free agent until 2024. That’s a long time from now. Thus, it will be difficult to convince the Reds to give away someone with a high ceiling. Nevertheless, Cincinnati needs to rebuild, and Houston boasts plenty of prospects.
Moreover, the Astros likely want to see more from Garrett. He would be a high-risk, high-reward option. The lefty’s numbers from a year ago – 7.39 ERA and 23 home runs allowed in 70 2/3 innings – explain why.
Garrett’s inconsistency alone may halt a trade to Houston.
Jace Fry
White Sox fans haven’t had much to be proud of this season in the south side of Chicago.
Maybe a swap at the trade deadline will uplift their spirits. While the White Sox have a very minimal amount of appealing players, Fry could have teams calling.
That includes the Astros.
The southpaw is the youngest player on the list, though also the least experienced. But he’s made a name for himself in Chicago, leading the team in holds and ERA among players with more than five innings pitched.
Fry ranks 31st in strikeouts per nine innings and 34th in WHIP among pitchers with more than 20 innings pitched.
It was unknown Fry would be this successful on the mound after last season. When the White Sox pulled him up, he allowed eight runs in 6 2/3 innings.
Houston might have some interest in Fry because of his youth. Like Garrett, he won’t be a free agent until 2024. Yet, the Astros will only be interested if they won’t have to pay too much.
Given that the White Sox are already out of contention, possibly for the next few seasons, that will be difficult. However, Fry has potential to be a high-class reliever if he remains consistent.
And he still might not be a sure thing. He struggled with command last year in Double-A, even though he’s improved in that aspect this year.
This might be the last guy on Houston’s list, but he’s still an option for the Astros in case they can’t reel in anyone else.
Kyle Barraclough
It’s pronounced “Bear-claw.” Kyle Barraclough.
Miami has tons of young talent, even though it’s in the midst of a rebuilding era. Yet, the more notable players on the squad are pitchers, especially in the pen.
Everyone knew Brad Ziegler wouldn’t last long as the primary closer. The veteran’s unorthodox release was effective a decade ago – not so much now.
Barraclough was next in line for the spot. And there’s a good reason why.
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The 28-year-old owns a 1.15 ERA across 31 1/3 innings this season. He sports a 2.59 career ERA, averaging more than 11 strikeouts per nine innings.
One major issue for the Astros is Barraclough has a team-friendly contract. Though he’s arbitration-eligible by next offseason, he’s not slated to be a free agent until 2022.
That seems to be the case with most pitchers on this list. But unlike Garrett and Fry, the right-handed reliever has been sharp for the Fish throughout his career. That consistency might catch Houston’s attention.
Additionally, the 28-year-old continues to develop with each passing season, thus his value continues to increase. Though his strikeout rate decreased through his first 32 appearances this year, his hit and walk rates are also down.
Moreover, Barraclough hasn’t been fazed by late-inning situations, notching four saves since June 5. He hasn’t allowed a hit in his past 8 2/3 innings.
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Although established closers like Britton and Hand are still on the market, Barraclough could provide more promise. Also, the Astros might not have to give up major prospects to obtain the lesser-known pitcher.
The front office might have to check him out.