The Houston Astros are apparently looking for a quality right-hander to bolster their bullpen. Given their current financial condition, the Houston Astros will have to find methods to add talent on the cheap. Their television arrangement has thrown their financial condition into disarray, which is why owner Jim Crane is cautious to increase salaries or pursue major free agent names.
According to Francys Romero, the Astros could make a move for Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, with no experience pitching in Major League Baseball, has primarily played in Cuba and Japan’s NBL throughout his career, only being 27 years old with considerable potential. This is why teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees are expressing interest in him.
Over eight seasons in various foreign leagues, Rodriguez has maintained a 3.06 ERA across 731.1 innings pitched. Whether this success will carry over to the MLB remains uncertain, but scouts and teams remain optimistic about his prospects.
While the Houston Astros could benefit from bullpen support, there’s also belief that Rodriguez could thrive as a starter if given the chance. MLBTR’s projection suggests a four-year, $32 million deal for Rodriguez in free agency, a feasible sum for Houston.
This offseason, the Astros clearly need to bolster their pitching depth for both the rotation and bullpen. However, the challenge lies in doing so while staying within the luxury tax limit and reducing payroll simultaneously.
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