Houston Astros: Brad Hand should be priority number one

The Houston Astros are likely to be buyers at the trade deadline. Let’s take a look at why the team should target Brad Hand.

As of this writing, the Houston Astros are a half a game behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. This season has not quite gone as well as fans would’ve hoped after winning the World Series. However, it actually hasn’t been that bad.

Unlike last year, the pitching is absolutely carrying the team. In 2017, the Houston Astros were led by a historic offense. They clubbed 238 home runs to 1,087 strikeouts. That ratio is absolutely unheard of. All in all, the team averaged 5.53 runs per game. That is the second-highest total in team history following the 2000 Houston Astros that averaged 5.79 runs a game.

The 2017 pitching was decent but, by the stats, it was definitely carried by the bats. The staff averaged a 4.12 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. They also averaged 9.91 strikeouts per nine innings. So, not terrible but, also not very good.

The 2018 pitching has been absolutely historic, just as the 2017 offense was. Even after a slight dip in production, they’re still operating at an incredible level. So far, the pitching staff led by Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole has averaged 2.93 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. Even more impressive, they average 10.28 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Weak Link

Even so, the bullpen hasn’t quite been up to snuff so far. Don’t get me wrong as a unit they haven’t been terrible. In fact, besides a couple bad first months from a couple guys they’ve all been pretty decent.

Joe Smith had an atrocious April but, was pitching nicely until he got placed on the DL. I think we all know that Ken Giles has had his fair share of struggles, including punching himself in the face. But, overall the bullpen has been pretty decent.

Chris Devenski has been up to his usual skills, getting guys out on an elite level. Collin McHugh has settled in nicely to his role in the bullpen. Brad Peacock has pretty much picked up where he left off last year well, maybe slightly behind. Even Tony Sipp, who has been the bane of the bullpen for the past couple years, has been alright. Albeit in a small sample size.

The biggest revelation, however, has been newcomer Hector Rondon. He’s been pitching at an elite level. In fact, the Houston Astros have even been pitching him in more high leverage situations. This past week he’s picked up two saves.

However, aside from maybe left field, the bullpen has definitely been the weakest link of this 2018 Houston Astros team. While some guys have been great all season, the inconsistencies of others have left some things to be desired.

How should the Houston Astros address this?

Even though like previously stated, some of the bullpen has been inconsistent, I’m not ready to pull the plug on any of them.

Giles still has elite stuff and may someday develop into a consistent 9th inning arm. Will Harris has still shown flashes of greatness. Smith is on the upswing, assuming he returns to the trends he was setting before his injury. Peacock is also still a great arm.

So, who needs replacing? If the Houston Astros are going to upgrade this unit, someone has got to go. I believe that man to be Sipp. While he has been pitching better in 2018, the two years of horrendous pitching is hard to forget.

However, that may not be the only way that room is made. Now, hear this, I’m not wishing injury on any of the Astros‘ starters but, the majority of them have an injury history. Dallas Keuchel has been known to get hurt. Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers have also spent extensive time on the DL in their careers.

So, if one of the starters goes down the team will likely look to either McHugh or Peacock to step up in their absence. There simply would be no need to go out and add an arm in case of injury. The starting pitching depth on this team is THAT good. So, if this happens that would open up a bullpen spot.

Enter Brad Hand

Hand has simply been brilliant the past 1+ season. Really, even dating back to the 2016 season he’s been solid. Since joining the San Diego Padres, Hand has a 2.45 ERA, 41 saves, and 266 strikeouts to 70 walks in 202 innings.

More from House of Houston

Those numbers are great. However, they get even better the more recent you look. This year he’s sporting a 1.89 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 19 saves, and an astounding 13.8 strikeouts per nine innings. It is extremely safe to say the Hand has developed into an elite arm out of the pen.

Hand would give the Houston Astros another arm more than capable of handling high leverage situations. Rondon, Devenski, and even Giles and Peacock are all capable of coming in in a tight spot and getting the team out. You could even lump Harris into that group as well.

Hand would be a luxury but, he’s a luxury the team needs to chase. A team can never have too many arms capable of elite production. Especially a team like the Houston Astros and who have dealt with the aforementioned inconsistencies.

A deal centered around youngster Yordan Alvarez, a AAA arm, and maybe even Derek Fisher or Tony Kemp should do the trick. Acquiring hand won’t be an easy, inexpensive thing to do. It’ll cost the team guys they normally would want to keep but, he’d be worth it.

Some have suggested the team pursue Zach Britton from the Orioles. However, he is just now getting healthy after an Achilles injury that was preceded by another injury. He also is on an expiring contract. He’d be cheaper but, the more long-term, healthier Hand is the guy to go with.

Next: What must be done to solve the Astros' glaring problem

We’ll see what Jeff Luhnow cooks up as the trade deadline approaches over the next month and a half. He’s always looking to improve this team. Hand is sure to be on the rumor mill for Luhnow and the Astros. This year, the team should pull the trigger.

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