Why Astros should approach potential Houston homecomings with an abundance of caution
NOT SO FAST
18 January 2024
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.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
