Call to the pen
Fansided

Two realistic reliever trade options for the Houston Astros

By Kyle Cardoza

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 14: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 14, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 14: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 14, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Astros
CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 01: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park on July 1, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 8-2. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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.

More from Houston Astros

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.

Home/Houston Astros