Houston Astros: What’s Next For Jeff Luhnow?
By Yoni Pollak
Add a fireballer to the bullpen? Check.
Bring back your best reliever from last year? Check.
GM Jeff Luhnow accomplished both those goals during the winter meetings last week when he acquired Ken Giles from the Philadelphia Phillies and re-signed Tony Sipp to a three-year deal.
The bullpen now looks pretty much set with only the long-man role not determined yet. The Astros didn’t officially name Giles the 2016 closer, but you would assume that it’s his role to lose come spring training.
The important thing is that Luhnow made a move to hopefully avoid another 2015 ALDS disaster. Now that they’ve improved the bullpen, where do the Astros look next? According to Luhnow, the Astros are going to look to get creative and possibly add a starter and/or a bat.
"“I think we’re going to look at either bringing in another pitcher for the rotation or a bat of some sort. We’re going to be creative and think through different options and see where we end up but our work’s not done.”"
We know the Astros have expressed interest in bringing back Scott Kazmir and they’re reportedly interested in Yovani Gallardo. Those are two free agent pitchers that would make the rotation better.
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The Astros have also talked to the Cleveland Indians about Carlos Carrasco. In the past the Astros have also talked to the San Diego Padres about Tyson Ross. Those two, along with the trio of pitchers in Tampa Bay (Jake Odorizzi, Drew Smyly and Alex Cobb) would also make sense as upgrades to the Astros rotation. Or maybe they unload the farm on the Marlins to acquire Jose Fernandez?!? Probably not, but that would definitely be “creative” of Luhnow.
The lineup figures to be set for the Astros, but this is more likely where they would get “creative”. Teams have been said to be interested in Carlos Gomez and Jake Marisnick. Trading Gomez for a starting pitcher would open up an outfield spot for a potential free agent such as Alex Gordon, Justin Upton or Yoenis Cespedes.
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Signing a first baseman like Chris Davis or trading for a third baseman like Todd Frazier would also be shocking, yet would help the Astros. However, it seems like the Astros are content with letting Tyler White and/or A.J. Reed take over the reigns at first base and Luis Valbuena at the hot corner.
The options appear limitless if Luhnow intends to get creative. Most positions are filled on the 25-man roster, but the Astros could opt to switch things up and it appears Luhnow is ready to do so if it makes this team better.
Click here for all the latest on the Astros’ offseason.