Astros Rumors: Yovani Gallardo could be a target for Luhnow

Astros Rumors: Any interest in Yovani Gallardo?

Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (left) walks back to the dugout with catcher Robinson Chirinos (right) in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game one of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

According to Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Astros are reportedly interested in signed free agent right-handed pitcher Yovani Gallardo. Drellich thinks that it would take a four-year deal for Gallardo to come to Houston. You have to love all these Astros rumors this year; that means the Astros are trying to improve.

Last season was Gallardo’s first apart from the Milwaukee Brewers with whom he pitched with for the first eight seasons of his career. Gallardo signed a one-year $14 million contract with the Texas Rangers this past offseason and went on to become a solid pitcher for them in 2015.

He finished with a record of 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA, which is his lowest ERA in his career. Gallardo posted his lowest home run to fly ball percentage since 2010 with 8.8% and posted his highest WAR, with 2.6, since 2011. Gallardo helped the Texas Rangers to a first place finish in the AL West with an 88-74 record.

However, those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Gallardo was a pitcher who in the National League, who used to strike out 8.6 batters per nine innings. In his first experience in the AL, his strikeout totals plummeted to only 5.9 per nine innings. With his strikeout totals dropping a drastic amount, his WHIP, batting average against, and BABIP all increased a significant amount.

As Drellich pointed out, Gallardo has connections with the Astros already. “The amateur scout that signed Gallardo with the Brewers, Jim Stevenson, is in the Astros organization now. This could be a likely deal that this Astros team could make.

**Stats from Baseball-Reference**

Click below to read some reasons why this isn’t a good idea.

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