Houston Astros Rumors: Waiver period could reel in bullpen help

With teams adding the final pieces before they make their push for the postseason, the Houston Astros – who made some noise prior to July’s non-waiver trade deadline – could be making yet another move.

General manager Jeff Luhnow brought in right-hander Scott Kazmir from the Oakland Athletics and reunited Luis Valbuena with former N.L. Central rivals in Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Which oddly doesn’t seem enough to help this Astros team who have lost three in a row entering their two-game set against the defending World Series Champions.

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There are very little relievers out there who would bring in some attention. Other’s would be position players such as Marlon Byrd, Carlos Gonzalez, Jose Reyes, Chase Utley and possibly Ryan Howard to name a few – there’s nothing confirmed when mentioning these men, but everyone seems to be moving key pieces.

The Colorado Rockies recently dealt veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Reyes. It was a very surprising move, at least to me since I figured Gonzalez would be the odd-man out before the original deadline.

Now, there’s no doubt the Astros could use some extra help in the bullpen. Last year’s A.L. Pennant winning Kansas City Royals proved that a solid bullpen could help boost your club to the World Series and appear to be making their way back to postseason form with the second-best record in the league behind the St. Louis Cardinals who have 71 wins under their belts.

Luhnow should consider reaching out to the Brewers for the second time to see what they would want for Francisco Rodriguez. Rodriguez set the league record for saves with number 58 on Sept. 2, 2008 while hosting the Seattle Mariners.

He currently holds a 1.37 ERA with 26 saves, 0.76 WHIP, and a 45/9 K/BB ratio in 39 1/3 frames with the last-place Brew Crew. If Houston were to pass him up, don’t be shocked if the Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees or even the Chicago Cubs throw their names into the rumor mill.

Another man that should be worth looking at is former Atlanta Brave and current San Diego Padres closer, Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel was acquired by the Padres on Opening Day along with Melvin Upton, Jr. for Carlos Quentin, Cameron Maybin, Matt Wisler, Jordan Paroubeck, and the 41st overall pick in this past years draft.

San Diego’s 27-year-old right-hander carries a 2.70 ERA, 60/16 K/BB ratio and 31 saves across 43 1/3 innings of work.

The only downside of acquiring his services is his contract. He’s due $11 million next season and $13 million in 2017-2018.

All we need to do now is wait and see if these men are placed on and clear waivers.

Next: Astros: Is this road trip a wake up call for tough decisions?

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