%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201055.1%20200%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%201055.1%20200%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text%2Fcss%22%3E%0A%09.st0%7Bfill%3A%23231F20%3B%7D%0A%09.st1%7Bfill%3A%230E203C%3B%7D%0A%09.st2%7Bfill%3A%23EC4324%3B%7D%0A%09.st3%7Bfill%3A%23FFFFFF%3B%7D%0A%3C%2Fstyle%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Template%22%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Layer_2%22%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st3%22%20d%3D%22M58.3%2C200.3h82.4c12.4%2C0%2C21.7-1.5%2C28-4.5c20.2-9.6%2C30.2-26.1%2C30.2-49.3c0-3.2-0.2-9.3-0.6-18.3h-65.1v14.9%0A%09%09c-0.9%2C3.9-3.4%2C5.8-7.5%2C5.8H73.2c-5%2C0-7.5-2.5-7.5-7.5V59.2c0-5%2C2.5-7.5%2C7.5-7.5h52.5c5%2C0%2C7.5%2C2.1%2C7.5%2C6.4v10.8h65.7V55.7%0A%09%09c0-16.3-3.8-28.3-11.4-36.1c-8.8-12.9-24.7-19.3-47.4-19.3H58.9C47%2C0.3%2C38%2C1.7%2C32%2C4.3c-21.3%2C9-32%2C26.1-32%2C51.4v88%0A%09%09c0%2C16.5%2C3.6%2C28.7%2C10.9%2C36.6C20.1%2C193.7%2C35.9%2C200.3%2C58.3%2C200.3z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st3%22%20points%3D%22596.6%2C64%20596.6%2C0.8%20400.1%2C0.8%20400.1%2C64%20442.7%2C64%20442.7%2C51.3%20466.1%2C51.3%20466.1%2C148.1%20442.1%2C148.1%20%0A%09%09442.1%2C199.9%20554.8%2C199.9%20554.8%2C148.1%20531.5%2C148.1%20531.5%2C51.4%20554.8%2C51.4%20554.8%2C64%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st3%22%20points%3D%22942.4%2C148.5%20942.4%2C200.2%201055.1%2C200.2%201055.1%2C148.5%201031.8%2C148.5%201031.8%2C51.2%201055.1%2C51.2%201055.1%2C0.8%20%0A%09%09943.1%2C0.8%20943.1%2C51.3%20966.3%2C51.3%20966.3%2C80%20888.9%2C80%20888.9%2C51.3%20912.6%2C51.3%20912.6%2C0.5%20800.1%2C0.8%20800.1%2C51.4%20823.5%2C51.4%20823.5%2C148.6%20%0A%09%09800.1%2C148.6%20800.1%2C200.1%20912.6%2C200.1%20912.6%2C148.6%20888.9%2C148.6%20888.9%2C116.4%20966.3%2C116.4%20966.3%2C148.5%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st2%22%20points%3D%22315.5%2C83.9%20299.6%2C34.9%20283.7%2C83.9%20232.2%2C83.9%20273.9%2C114.1%20258%2C163.1%20299.6%2C132.8%20341.3%2C163.1%20%0A%09%09325.4%2C114.1%20367%2C83.9%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st2%22%20points%3D%22715.6%2C83.9%20699.7%2C34.9%20683.8%2C83.9%20632.3%2C83.9%20674%2C114.1%20658%2C163.1%20699.7%2C132.8%20741.3%2C163.1%20%0A%09%09725.4%2C114.1%20767.1%2C83.9%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
10 free agent relievers the Astros should consider targeting this offseason
The Astros need to remake their bullpen this offseason. Here is a look at how this offseason's free agent crop of relievers stacks up.
With the 2023 season winding down, the flurry of activity that is the offseason is just around the corner and the Houston Astros are going to be right in the middle of it. Houston has a roster that should absolutely compete in 2024 assuming that general manager Dana Brown hits the right notes heading into spring training.
Settling on a corner outfielder and their last spot in the rotation is near the top of the list of priorities, but the Astros also have some work to do to get their bullpen back on track. Houston had some real relief depth issues in 2023 and those concerns aren't going to be any better with some of the guys the Astros are set to lose in free agency.
Ranking the Astros' bullpen options in free agency
While this year's free agent class as a whole is decidedly lackluster, the one area of depth it does have is in bullpen arms. As is typical, there are far more righties than lefties here, but both groups have some interesting options that could be valuable additions to the Astros in 2024 including a few former Astros. This list isn't an exhaustive list of the free agent reliever options available to Houston because, well, there are a lot of them. Consider this to be a ranking of the more interesting options on the market.
Let's take a look at 10 bullpen targets for the Astros this offseason.
Astros Reliever Targets: S-Tier
These group is the absolute top tier of the options that the Astros should be considering heading into the 2024 season. They represent a high level of production-to-cost as well as real upside. There is just no way for Houston to sign all of these guys without having to make concessions elsewhere on their payroll, but these guys should be at the top of their wish list.
Hector Neris
Starting with a familiar face, Hector Neris is technically still an Astro, but there is basically no chance that he is going to exercise his $8.5 million player option for 2024 given that he just put up a 2.5 rWAR season in 2023 with a 1.71 ERA. There is some cause for concern with some of his peripherals including his walk rate (4.1 BB/9) and FIP (3.83) from this season, but he has been a consistently good reliever for a while and Houston should do what they can to bring him back.
Chris Stratton
While the Rangers acquiring Jordan Montgomery at the trade deadline got the bulk of the attention, Chris Stratton was also in that deal and he provided the Rangers with some much needed stability in their bullpen with a 3.41 ERA in 22 appearances with Texas. While he may not be a guy you want in the highest leverage situations, his fastball and offspeed stuff both grade out very well and his swing and miss stuff could tick up as Houston has a history of getting more out of their arms. That he shouldn't break the bank is bonus points in his favor as well.
Josh Hader
The biggest name on the reliever market is, without question, Josh Hader. Hader has been one of the absolute best closers in all of baseball for years now other than an anomalous 2022 season and is coming off a season with the Padres where he posted a 1.28 ERA in 66 appearances and showing no signs of slowing down. He will not be cheap whatsoever, but adding Hader would immediately turn the bullpen into a strength of the Astros' roster. It would also be fun for his career to come full circle.
Astros Reliever Targets: A-Tier
These relievers would be fine additions to the Astros, but may not have the same likelihood of reaching their potential or have the same upside as the S-tier group. These guys may also be the most likely grouping from which Houston could choose from as they should all be able to be signed to reasonable contracts this offseason.
Phil Maton
Yet another familiar face, Phil Maton just posted his best season as a pro in 2023 with a 3.00 ERA in 66 innings of work. He misses bats and gets a lot of soft contact despite not exactly lighting up the radar gun and clearly Houston is familiar with how to get the most out of his stuff. The Astros shouldn't get in a bidding war over him, but a reunion makes a ton of sense at a reasonable price.
Keynan Middleton
If Keynan Middleton could limit his walks more, he would be considered one of the absolute best relievers on the free agent market. He pitched his brains out after being traded to the Yankees at the trade deadline, misses bats, and is really hard to square up. Put him on the Astros with their analytics department and infield defense and he could be a force to be reckoned with.
Joe Jimenez
One of the unsung heroes for the Braves this season was Joe Jimenez who gave Atlanta some big time relief innings in the second half of 2023. He has a quality fastball and throws a lot of strikes even though he can get hit hard when he is off. Jimenez will be in demand this offseason, but he shouldn't command too much of a premium and would be a great 7th or 8th inning guy to add to the Houston bullpen.
Brent Suter
Lefty bullpen arms are always needed and one of the better ones on the free agent market is going to be Brent Suter. Suter doesn't get a ton of attention, but he somehow posted a 3.38 ERA in 2023 despite playing in the pitching wasteland that is Colorado. He is a bit of a junkballer as his fastball averages around 87 MPH, but he is great at getting soft contact and his changeup has been borderline untouchable for a couple years now. His fastball velo may give the Astros some pause, but this guy can pitch and would be a solid pick-up.
Astros Reliever Targets: B-Tier
Now we get to the B-tier and this is an interesting high risk, high reward group. These guys have the stuff to be top flight bullpen options, but have some warts that are hard to ignore including price, command, etc. If the deal is right, all of these guys are worth taking a shot on, but Houston needs to do their due diligence before pulling the trigger.
Jordan Hicks
Hick's fastball probably doesn't need any introduction as it averages north of 100 MPH and has touched 105. The pitch is an absolute weapon, but he doesn't fool as many batters as you would think and the walk rate is downright spooky. There is a real chance that some team throws a bunch of money at him in the hope that he could become a high-end closer. However, his command issues along with some injury risk should keep the Astros out of it unless his price is reasonable.
Reynaldo Lopez
Reynaldo Lopez was a starting pitching prospect of note for a while, but he has settled into the bullpen nicely with a 3.02 ERA over the last two seasons. His fastball checks a lot of boxes for the analytically inclined and he does miss bats, but his command leaves something to be desired and can get hit hard if he leaves his breaking stuff over the plate. His expected cost keeps him in the B-tier given the risk, but there is certainly a price point where Lopez would make a ton of sense.
Aroldis Chapman
Finally, we could to Aroldis Chapman who is a known quantity. He throws really hard and has been one of the more consistent bullpen performers in the league for years now. However, he is 35 years old and has a lot of miles on an arm that HAS to be able to throw hard to be effective. Aroldis also has a fair bit of off the field baggage that the Astros could do without and he isn't likely to sign a cheap deal like he did with Kansas City for 2023, but he remains a possibility nonetheless.
More Astros News from Climbing Tal's Hill
manual