The Houston Astros have less than two weeks to close a deal on some bullpen help but latest is that they’re still interested in Zach Britton. What’s going on? Let’s look.
Houston Astros fans — our team was represented wonderfully during the MLB’s 89th Midsummer Classic andAlex Bregmancontinues to give us snippets of why he could obtain GOAT status as he blossoms through his career.
This team is rolling at this point of the season, pretty much at the same pace that they were in last season’s championship run. However, with the questions that continued to arise in the bullpen — particularly the closer role — as we have been able to quite find the guy to get the job done.
Ken Gileshas worked his way into a Triple-A demotion,Hector Rondoncan be up-and-down with his closing abilities andCollin McHughseems capable but I see him is more as long guy in the bullpen rotation when the situation warrants.Chris Devenskishould be the setup man because that’s what he does best and he just doesn’t fit the closer role all that well.
So what have the Houston Astros done?It’s likely that management feels that a bona-fide closer is not needed and the can still select a pitcher “by-committee” to take care of business. The problem with that is that come playoff time, you’ll want somebody who’s seasoned enough to be put into a high-pressure and handle it with precision unlike the way Giles did in the ALCS in last year’s run.
Speaking of that, the man the team needs to keep prying away at isZach Britton, who is back
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from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon he sustained last season.
According to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, he indicates thatthe HoustonAstrosalong with the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox have all been connected to having the desire to acquire the lefty in some way.
Adams mentions that he’s had some gains with his sinker pitch, helping generate a 68.8 percent ground-ball rate through tossing seven scoreless outings. He thinks that his control is still an issue but I think that’ll improve as he gets more work in and he knocks off the rust. His first-pitch strikes are currently hovering at 40 percent but I’d take that it will increase over time.
Britton earns$12 millionthis season with his pro-rated portion that the HoustonAstroswould likely have to pay being at a comfortable$4.8 million.He’ll certainly cost more than that as I’m sure they’re looking for a prospect package as the Baltimore Orioles are looking to accelerate their rebuilding project, especially with the recent announcement of tradingManny Machadoto the Los Angeles Dodgers.
How much will Britton cost?I’d certainly packageCionel Perez,Ronnie Dawsonand possiblyGarrett Stubbsin the deal to land Britton. All of these guys will help the Orioles rebuild tremendously. In my opinion, our Top 5 prospects ofKyle Tucker,Forrest Whitley,Yordan Alvarez,J.B. BukauskasandFreudis Novaare OFF LIMITS so the Orioles shouldn’t even think about acquiring those guys of ours.
We’ll have to see but hopefully the HoustonAstrosmake a huge splash for a closer like Britton before the deadline.
Next: Bold 2nd Half Predictions for the Astros
Britton, 30, possesses a3.68 ERA, a 1-0 record while tossing13 strikeouts,allowingsix earned runs, nine walks and 11 hits with a 1.364 WHIP through 14.2 innings pitchedsince returning last month.
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