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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.
Sources: Astros interested in Yovani Gallardo. Probably takes four-year deal. Mexican star power, upgrades rotation https://t.co/uejVeD4l0U
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) December 9, 2015
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.
Next: Please Don't Sign Gallardo
Please Don’t Sign Gallardo by Eric Huysman
Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo throws a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game one of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Fred Thornhill-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Maybe my distaste for Gallardo comes from the time that I kept Gallardo over Yu Darvish one year in fantasy baseball, that was the season (2013) when Darvish was a top pitcher and Gallardo struggled against all teams except the Houston Astros. Chris Carter dominated in Seattle, Gallardo is at true form when he is facing the Astros hitters, but becomes Tim Redding against other teams.
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I wouldn’t even mind signing Gallardo as the fifth starter as I know that he can go deep into a game, even when he has given up six runs or so, but he will come with a really hefty price tag. I am not talking about the suggested four-year deal, I am talking about strengthing your main competition in the A.L. West, the Texas Rangers. Last year the Astros did not protect Delino DeShields Jr. at the Rule V deadline, he was selected by the Rangers, and he was a big part of the Rangers success in 2015.
If the Astros sign a contract with Gallardo, they will lose a first round pick to the Rangers in the compensation round of the 2016 MLB Draft. With Scott Kazmir willing to come back to Houston for a slightly below market contract without a draft pick, I rather have Kazmir than Gallardo.
Believe it or not, Gallardo is still young, the Mexico-born pitcher is only 29-years-old. However, his stuff is not quite the same as it used to be; he has a hard time missing bats. Gallardo used to average 200 strikeouts in a season but now averages around 140 innings. The Rangers offense led to his highest WAR season with a 4.1 WAR in 2015.
Next: Ken Giles traded to the Houston Astros for 4 Players
His WHIP and home run totals could be a little alarming, he had his best season in 2015 from recent memory and could improve in Houston, but having to sign him to a four-year deal is just not the Astros mo. I wouldn’t mind the signing, but I’m not rooting for it.