Two realistic reliever trade options for the Houston Astros
As the trade deadline looms, the Houston Astros remain interested in finding a reliever on the market. And there are still several pitchers available, but only a few seem like viable options at this point.
Contenders across the league are making moves to remain in the playoff race. While the Houston Astros have a minor chance of missing the postseason, they still want to reinforce their club for the future.
And at this point, that means acquiring a late-inning reliever.
The Cleveland Indians made a move to obtain Brad Hand. Their reasons were viable, as closer Cody Allen demonstrated Friday night. Moreover, Cleveland’s relief staff is one of the worst in the league.
Houston doesn’t have that problem. Nevertheless, an additional efficient reliever could be the difference between a world Series title or an early exit in the playoffs.
Thought that statement seems a bit exaggerated, meltdowns in the later innings of the game thwart great teams from winning a playoff series. And the Astros don’t want to take any chances when they can avoid those situations.
Now that Brad Hand has been traded to the Indians, the Astros need to make a push for Zach Britton to get another solid left handed reliever for the postseason.
— Trey Schooley (@treyschooley) July 19, 2018
Analysts and team officers fashioned Ken Giles as the team’s closer for a long-term period. Undoubtedly, the hard-throwing right-hander was inconsistent. Now he might not be an asset in October whatsoever.
Nevertheless, Hector Rondon assumed the responsibility during Giles’s decline. And the former Cubs closer thrived during the first half of the season.
Even if Houston swaps for a late-inning reliever, Rondon could remain closer. Manager A.J. Hinch analyzes all of his options in the pen. Also, the Astros possess multiple players that can shut down opponents in the ninth inning.
Brad Peacock and Chris Devenski both have saves this year, exemplifying the relief corps’s versatility. Additionally, Collin McHugh and Will Harris are also reliable enough to place in critical situations.
Yet, with all of the relievers on the market, Houston would be wise to grab one. Top-tier pitchers are still available and realistic options.
Zach Britton
Baseball fans and experts already knew the Orioles were sellers at the deadline. Now that Manny Machado is off the market, Britton is the team’s biggest trade chip.
The left-handed reliever owns less-than-stellar stats, but he is subject to a small sample size. Moreover, Britton’s recent achilles injury is a serious one and can hinder one’s career.
Yet, prior to his injury, the Baltimore closer was in his prime. His 2016 campaign was one of the best in MLB history, and he seemed poised to remain a top-tier closer.
However, Britton is arguably as unreliable than ever – he boasts a 1.36 WHIP. His results last season were mediocre as well.
Thus, Houston can cash in on a significant discount. Analysts suggest that the Dodgers won the Machado trade handsomely, but they dealt five players in return for a summer with the shortstop.
Of course, if Machado sticks around past this season, it will be a legitimate steal considering his value. Britton is a similar case, though no team will be willing to let five prospects go in exchange.
But Britton may be prepared to join a contender. He pitched in just two postseason series, and it was prior to his dominant back-to-back seasons. Should he join the Astros, he will almost undoubtedly be the case if he joins the Astros.
And like Familia, the 30-year-old is pending free agent by the end of 2018. Thus, he surely wants to find a long-term home that is not undergoing a rebuild.
Hence, Houston can acquire the two-time All-Star at a bargain. Similar to Hand’s case, it may just take one higher-tier prospect. Some options are David Paulino, Rogelio Armenteros and even Cionel Perez.
Raisel Iglesias
Iglesias is a perfect example of a pitcher that “failed” as a starter and transitioned into a reliever. And his numbers support that belief.
The Reds reliever finished in the top 10 in saves last season, even though Cincinnati won just 68 games. Iglesias also finished in the top 20 in ERA among pitchers with at least 60 innings pitched.
What’s most surprising is that the 28-year-old is having an even better campaign in 2018. He allows fewer hits and still strikes out nearly 10 hitters per nine innings.
Only 13 players with at least 40 innings pitched this year have surrendered more hits than Iglesias this season. He also compiled 19 saves up to this point, nine away from his career-high last year.
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Compared to Familia and Britton, Iglesias seems like the most appealing option for teams. That’s essentially because the younger pitcher won’t be a free agent until 2022.
However, due to that aspect of his contract, the Astros would be obliged to offer more than a mid-tier prospect for the closer. Houston has enough firepower in its farm system to acquire essentially any player on the trade market.
Yet, that doesn’t mean Luhnow wants to. And it’s unsure whether the front office wants to take a risk with an up-and-coming closer like they did with Giles a few years ago.
Iglesias’s resume looks similar as well. But he is not seen as the next big thing among late-inning relievers. He is not Edwin Diaz.
Nevertheless, the Astros could still use an upgrade in the bullpen. And Iglesias, like Britton and Familia, would be a much safer option than some of their current relievers.
Next: Can Houston dominate its AL West schedule?
A move seems on the horizon, though even analysts are unsure who the Astros might get as the deadline approaches.