The bullpen’s looming crowd is a good problem to have
One week ago, when the starting pitching market seemed thin and the Astros were thought to covet their top prospects too much to acquire one, attention turned to relievers. Jeff Luhnow often says his trade deadline focus is bolstering a potential playoff roster. It could be argued the 2019 Astros required more help in the bullpen than in the rotation.
Luhnow’s last-minute acquisition of Zack Greinke, Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini solved both predicaments.
Greinke will make his Houston debut on Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies at Minute Maid Park. There was no need to explain or analyze the role a six-time All Star and former Cy Young Award winner would play on the Astros’ 2019 team. Greinke’s addition, as monumental as it is, changes little in the aspect of short-term roster construction.
Biagini and Sanchez offer
another wrinkle entirely. The Astros’ bullpen, once in sore need of reinforcements, is now overflowing. And more augmentation is still on the way.
Barring unforeseen setbacks, Ryan Pressly and Brad Peacock will return to the bullpen before rosters expand in September. Pressly threw a bullpen session on Sunday, and though his command was erratic, the righthander reported no pain in his injured right knee.
Peacock had a miserable minor league rehab start with Class AAA Round Rock on Saturday but, like Pressly, reported no physical problems. Manager A.J. Hinch said Sunday the team is “leaning toward” bringing Peacock back as a reliever.
When Pressly and Peacock return, there will be a bullpen roster crunch. Reliever Josh James is still on the injured list, too, but is progressing slower than either of his teammates. His rehabilitation from shoulder fatigue could drag into September. Roster expansion that month will not require a move.
Of the Astros’ seven active relievers, only Biagini, Chris Devenski and closer Roberto Osuna have minor league options. Neither Osuna nor Biagini is in danger of being optioned.
Around this time two months ago, jettisoning Devenski to Class AAA Round Rock would read as a logical move. The former All-Star was relegated to mop-up duty in blowout games and, as the last man in Houston’s bullpen, had a 4.91 ERA as late as mid-June.
Devenski’s turnaround since July has been marked. In his last 8 2⁄3 innings, he has yielded one earned run, walked two and struck out 11. His fastball velocity has risen to average 96 mph after hovering around 94 earlier this season. Flipping his fearsome changeup for strikes and not just for chasing has aided in his resurgence.
“The strike changeup is devastating,” Hinch said after Devenski completed Saturday’s four pitcher no-hitter against the Mariners. “It’s very important for him so he can get the guys to chase and get off his fastball.
“His demeanor on the mound is creeping back into the really good version of him.”
Getting that version is a boon for the Astros, who have no lefthanded presence in their bullpen. Devenski and Will Harris serve as the de facto lefty specialists.
It also complicates not only the decision the Astros will soon confront but also their postseason bullpen. Osuna, Pressly and Harris are the only relievers who can be called locks to make a potential playoff roster.
Bear in mind decisions will be predicated around any specific postseason opponent Houston will face. Last year, the Astros carried a seven-man bullpen in their ALDS matchup against the Indians, with Peacock, Devenski, Joe Smith and Hector Rondon left off the roster. An eight-man pen was utilized for the ALCS matchup against the Yankees, with Smith and Rondon added and Harris omitted.
Biagini was acquired in part because he can neutralize righthanded hitters. The Yankees and Indians are predominantly righthanded. Smith, the sidearming specialist, is elite against righties, too. When James returns from his injury, will his arsenal be elite? His 100 mph fastball is a look not many teams — and certainly no other Astros reliever — can provide.
And what of Collin McHugh? One of baseball’s most effective relievers last season, he was a part of both playoff rosters. This year, he has a 5.52 ERA — one of the reasons the Astros sought bullpen help — jeopardizing his chances of postseason participation.
Then there is Sanchez. Provided he continues to pitch well, he will remain in the Astros’ rotation throughout the regular season, Luhnow intimated Sunday, one day after Sanchez spun six no-hit innings in his team debut. Assuming the Astros carry four starters on a postseason roster, Sanchez would seem the odd man out. Does he slot into a potential bullpen over Peacock?
Questions like these are luxuries to have and, after Luhnow’s deadline moves, ones the Astros have two months to answer.