Astros Want Closer Joaquin Benoit Packaged In A Kimbrel Deal
It’s trade deadline day!
We now have hours to go before 3 p.m. CDT, the rapidly-approaching culmination of all of the hard work that the Houston Astros front office has put together over the past couple of weeks to make this team even better.
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It’s has been quite a whirlwind over these past few days and the tidbits about the Astros next big target continue to get juicier, day-by-day.
And it’s getting even juicier…
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Astros are in serious pursuit of relieving pitcher Craig Kimbrel with the New York Yankees hot on their trail with a possible deal in the works to include closer Joaquin Benoit:
astros more interested in pen since getting mike fiers. talking to pads about kimbrel/benoit. also talking to other teams.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2015
Although Benoit is 38 years old, he’s still has some value and a lot left in the tank to help the Astros’ bullpen.
This is his second season closing for the Padres and he has posted a 6-4 record with a 2.29 ERA through 45 games this season. He has tossed 39 K’s and has kept his WHIP strong and steady at 0.847.
Even though Benoit is not a long-term solution he’s certainly fodder for an even bigger deal for Kimbrel.
Who knows who the Astros are dangling to get him? I have a strong feeling that Josh Fields is in those talks as well.
As I’ve said before — Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Dallas Keuchel, George Springer and Lance McCullers Jr. are all off the table.
The rest of the roster and prospects are fair game in possible deal for some more pitching.
The thing about Benoit is that he can either squeezed in as a closer or a setup man because he has proven that he could do both throughout his elongated career.
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He is a bit on the higher side in terms of salary for a relieving pitcher as he just inked a two-year, $15.5 million deal with the Padres last season that will pay him about $8 million per season.
That’s a bit pricey with the way the Astros have been spending over the years but the club is indicating that they’re willing to be buyers in a loaded market and are ready to dole out some cash.
As we all have come to know Jim Crane to well in terms of contrast with former owner Drayton McLane is that Crane is quite cautious with his spending and continues to have the thirst for a justifiable reason why additional funds should be disbursed.
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McLane would just bet big and hope for the best.
Both strategies are actually fine with me, I’m just glad that the Astros are being aggressive before the trade deadline, honestly the most I’ve seen in years.
We’ll see.
In case you’ve been under a rock as of late, the MLB trade deadline as at 3 p.m. CDT.
Go ‘Stros!