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Houston Astros: Which relievers will the club target at the deadline?

By Kyle Cardoza

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 03: Kyle Barraclough #46 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 3, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 03: Kyle Barraclough #46 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 3, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 24: Manager A.J. Hinch of the Houston Astros visits the pitcher’s mound during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 24: Manager A.J. Hinch of the Houston Astros visits the pitcher’s mound during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

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.

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