Houston Astros Interested in Flame-Throwing Reliever
The Houston Astros are continuing to look for ways to improve their roster heading into the 2024 season. After falling short to the Texas Rangers in the 2023 ALCS, the Astros are now challenged with responding in a way that can help them win the American League again.
Of the possible additions, bullpen help is a priority.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, Houston has interest in signing free agent reliever Jordan Hicks. Morosi also notes that the New York Yankees are showing interest in the hard-throwing right-hander.
Hicks spent nearly all of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in the '23 season. Over his five-year career, he's posted an ERA of 3.85 with a 1.299 WHIP.
At different points, his command has been an issue. In the 24 innings pitched for the Blue Jays last season, he struck out 22 and walked eight.
2023 was the best year of his career, appearing in 65 games and posting a combined 3.29 ERA. Hicks struck out 81 batters across the 65 2/3 innings he pitched last season.
Hector Neris, Ryne Stanek, and Phil Maton all departed this offseason, making bullpen additions a necessity for the Astros' front office.
The advanced numbers back up the season that the 27-year-old put together. He ranked in the 80th percentile or higher in xERA, xBA, AVG exit velocity, k%, barrel%, GB%, and ranked in the 100th percentile in fastball velocity, according to BaseballSavant.
This could be a huge addition to a Houston team trying to load up for another World Series run.
