Houston Astros Reportedly Interested in Right-Handed Bullpen Piece
The Houston Astros will have to find ways to add talent at the margins given their current financial situation. Their television deal has the money situation up in the air and helps explain why owner Jim Crane is hesitant to add any payroll or pursue any big free agent names.
However, one addition the Astros could make is for Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez according to Francys Romero.
Rodriguez has never pitched at the MLB level, instead he has spent the majority of his career in Cuba or in Japan in the NBL. He is only 27-years-old and plenty of upside, it's why the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees are also showing interest in the righty.
Across eight seasons and multiple foreign leagues, Rodriguez has compiled a 3.06 ERA over the course of 731.1 innings pitched. How well that will translate to the Major League level remains to be seen but scouts and teams remain high on Rodriguez.
Houston could use some bullpen help, but Rodriguez also projects well as a starter if the Astros wish to try and stretch him out. MLBTR has Rodriguez projected to earn a four-year, $32 million deal in free agency, which should still be in Houston's price range.
One thing is clear this offseason, the Astros need to add pitching depth, both for the rotation and the bullpen. The trick will be how they can do it while fitting underneath the luxury tax threshold while also shedding payroll at the same time.
