After falling short in the ALCS against the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers, the Houston Astros are going to have their work cut out for them.
Obviously, they remain a powerhouse in the American League and are going to be tough to beat in 2024. However, three of their key relievers, Hector Neris, Phil Maton, and Ryne Stanek are now free agents, and at the GM Meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona, Astros General Manager Dana Brown made it seem as if all three relievers would not be returning.
This leaves a few holes to fill in the Astros bullpen.
Here are three relievers the Astros could sign to replace their departing free agents
1. Jordan Hicks
Jordan Hicks had an interesting season this year.
He began 2023 with the St. Louis Cardinals and got off to a tough start before ultimately finding his rhythm again and even taking over as the Cards closer when Ryan Helsley went down. With the Cardinals out of contention, Hicks was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.
There, he earned four saves and pitched to a 2.63 ERA in 25 appearances. He finished the season with a 3.29 ERA.
Houston has Ryan Pressly in the closer's role at the moment, but it wouldn't hurt for them to try and lure Hicks. Hicks is in fact a native of Texas and would be returning to his home state if the Astros do take a flyer on him.
He was a key member of the Cardinals and Blue Jays bullpens and he helped carry Toronto back to October. Having him as a late-inning option next to Pressly would give the reigning AL West champions some flexibility at the back end of their bullpen, which would be beneficial now that Maton, Neris, and Stanek are all likely to depart this offseason.
2. Will Smith
Will Smith is another solid option that could be explored by the Astros.
The veteran left-hander has closing experience and he played a key role in the Rangers winning the World Series. In fact, he has been a part of the past three World Series championship teams, including the Astros in 2022.
Perhaps it would make sense for the Astros to reunite with a friendly face.
Smith began his career with the Kansas City Royals and later pitched with the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, and Atlanta Braves. Houston could certainly use some left-handers in their bullpen, and Smith can help with that.
He had a difficult 2023 season, posting a 4.40 ERA, but his track record of being a strong high-leverage reliever precedes him. He is a proven winner and could also provide a solid veteran presence in the Astros clubhouse.
Houston fell just one win short of their third straight World Series this October, but bringing back a member of their 2022 team would send a good message to the clubhouse.
The fact that he has won three consecutive rings also helps matters, and the Astros will be looking to win their third World Series title next season.
3. Josh Hader
There hasn't been any indication as of now that the Astros are targeting Josh Hader. But it certainly wouldn't hurt to add the best closer in the game to the mix.
Hader and Pressly would make a for a deadly combination in the back end of the Astros bullpen. Facing the two of them late in games would be every opponent's worst nightmare.
After a bad 2022 season with the Brewers and San Diego Padres, Hader bounced back in a big way and reclaimed his place as baseball's top closer. This year, he posted a 1.28 ERA.
Hader is a five-time All-Star and three-time winner of the NL Reliever of the Year Award. He brings winning experience and also a solid veteran presence in the clubhouse.
Houston certainly has the financial resources necessary to pull this off and add a true superstar to its bullpen.
This move, if made, would help them get a leg up on the Rangers after falling short in the ALCS. The Astros need to respond in a big way after being eliminated by the Rangers, and adding a high-leverage arm like Hader could be the perfect way to remind everybody that they are still in fact a threat.