Call to the pen
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Houston Astros taking major gamble with Hector Neris

By David Hill

Sep 29, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi talks with relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) as he removes Neris from the mound during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi talks with relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) as he removes Neris from the mound during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros had a pair of major needs in the back of their bullpen. Once Kendall Graveman signed a three year contract with the White Sox, the Astros needed to find someone that could not only serve in the late innings but potentially step into the closer role should Ryan Pressly falter.

Both of those needs were taken care of on Saturday. The Astros have signed former Phillies closer Hector Neris to a two year deal worth $17 million.

Houston Astros gamble on Hector Neris

Based solely on statistics, Neris is a solid addition to the Astros’ bullpen. He has a 3.42 ERA and a 1.192 WHiP over his 407.2 innings, striking out 520 batters with 151 walks. Neris has saved over 25 games twice in his career, an impressive number considering that the closer role has been a bit of a revolving door in Philadelphia.

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But Neris is part of why the closer role has been a revolving door. He had been given every opportunity to seize that role for himself over the past five years but had failed each time. Neris was a key part of a Phillies bullpen that annihilated the franchise record for blown saves, as he was only 12 for 19 in save opportunities as their closer.

That is essentially the issue with Neris. He has streaks where he can be utterly dominant as a reliever, shutting down the opposition while racking up saves and holds. Then there are those streaks where he is utterly unusable, where his command has completely deserted him and his outings are disastrous.

In the end, Neris is a solid enough reliever, provided one does not have to depend on him to get those final outs to secure a victory. He should be a respectable option for the Astros in the seventh or eighth inning, but he is also a reliever that bears watching whenever he is in the game. If he begins to implode, there may not be much time before defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory.

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The Houston Astros are hoping that Hector Neris can take over for Kendall Graveman. They are taking a major risk by bringing him on board.

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