With Astros reloaded for contention, new opportunities have arisen for leadership & evolution
PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT
01 February 2024
Shortly after the Astros signed Josh Hader to a 5-year $95 million contract, Hector Neris agreed to a much smaller deal with the Chicago Cubs.
Right-handed reliever Hector Neris and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a one-year, $9 million contract that includes an option for 2025, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN.
The $9M team option converts to a player option at 60 games. Total max w incentives: $23.25M.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 27, 2024
Before the signing of Hader, Neris was rumored to be looking for a 3-year $50 million deal. Clearly that wasn't what the market was willing to pay Neris.
Which made us wonder, with the benefit of hindsight, would Jim Crane rather have signed Neris to the cheaper deal?
In our opinion, no. Part of the reason behind the Hader signing was adding more youth to the Astros bullpen. Not only for the short-term, but also as a tactic to prepare for life after Ryan Pressly, who will likely be gone after the 2025 season.
The Astros lost 4 relief pitchers this offseason
Considering how many bullpen arms won't be back for 2024, how much better is this year's 'pen after adding Hader?
Leader of the pack
Finally, with so many team leaders not returning for 2024, who will step up for the Astros and lead the team moving forward?
Be sure to watch the video above as we address all these questions and much more!
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe to SportsMapHouston on YouTube for our latest content!
Presented by Coors Light.
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.
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