How latest reports connect Houston Astros to prized free agent
ASTROS HOT STOVE
18 January 2024
ASTROS HOT STOVE
After Kendall Graveman's injury was disclosed this week, several reports have surfaced about the Astros seeking help for their depleted bullpen.
First, the Astros were reported to have interest in a reunion with free agent pitcher Hector Neris. Neris is rumored to be seeking a three-year deal for around $50 million. Considering the Astros history with free agents, reports about signing Neris seem like nothing more than his agent using the 'Stros as leverage against another team. The Yankees and Rangers are reported to have interest in Neris as well.
Things took a wild turn on Thursday, with reports claiming the Astros are pursuing the top closer on the market, Josh Hader.
The Astros are making a push for free-agent reliever Josh Hader, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me - https://t.co/EmCzbnGgzo
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) January 18, 2024
I mean, if they were seriously considering a $50 million contract for Neris, why not go all-in by signing arguably the best closer in baseball? Here's one reason, he might cost $50 million MORE than Neris!
At 29 years old, Hader is significantly younger than Neris, but he's going to cost you. The Athletic's Chandler Rome is reporting that Hader is looking for a deal in the neighborhood of $100 million over 5 years. In reality, he should cost a lot more than Hector Neris. He would be the team's closer, while Neris would likely be the 7th inning guy once again. Hader had 33 saves last season, posting a 1.28 ERA.
While all this sounds exciting, isn't this the same team that is preparing for Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker to walk over the next two seasons. It seems odd that the Astros are finally below the tax threshold, and now are considering a relief pitcher that will cost $100 million.
But, we can only go with what's being reported, and if the Astros want to make a serious run at a title in 2024, they have to upgrade the bullpen. How they do it, is yet to be seen.
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.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
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.