NOT SO FAST
Why Astros should approach potential Houston homecomings with an abundance of caution
Jan 18, 2024, 3:37 pm
NOT SO FAST

The Houston Astros received some disappointing news this week when it was revealed that Kendall Graveman would be out for the season with shoulder surgery.
Which means Houston is losing four members of their top-notch bullpen from 2023. The Astros pen is a big reason for their success the last couple of years, and now they only have two relievers that can be trusted in Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu.
Plus, they haven't signed anyone of note to replace them. This week, reports surfaced about the Astros having interest in bringing back Hector Neris. Neris is reportedly seeking a 3-year deal in the neighborhood of $50 million.
That's close to the disaster of a contract they handed Jose Abreu last year, and both players are in their mid-thirties. As good as Neris was last season, it's hard to imagine the Astros signing Neris to a massive deal like this. It's just not what they typically do. Or should do for that matter.
But they need to do something. Outside of Pressly and Abreu, nobody in their current bullpen has any substantial record of success in the big leagues. And that includes Rafael Montero. He had one good year and has been completely ineffective in high leverage situations before and after 2022. With an ERA over 5 in 2023, we're not counting on that guy, and for good reason.
Could Phil Maton be an option to bring back? The Athletic's Chandler Rome reported that Maton has received less interest on the market than some anticipated. He could be an option, and would be significantly more affordable than Neris.
So what are the Astros going to do?
Check the video above as we break it all down.
Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.
