Deal reached to keep Montero in bullpen
Reliever Rafael Montero and the Astros are in agreement on a three-year, $34.5 million contract, ESPN reported Saturday morning, marking the first consequential offseason move from the Astros’ makeshift front office.
Houston parted ways with general manager James Click and assistant general manager Scott Powers on Friday morning. The team did not announce an interim general manager or how its baseball operations department is running, but according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation, owner Jim Crane made two promotions to stabilize the uncertainty.
Crane promoted senior director of baseball strategy Bill Firkus and senior director of player evaluation Charles Cook to assistant general manager alongside Andrew Ball. The trio is believed to be taking the lead in day-today operations.
Crane’s influence is still massive, too. Crane himself mentioned Montero by name during a Wednesday news conference announcing manager Dusty Baker’s return.
Three days later, the 32-yearold righthander is reportedly nearing a reunion. Montero starred as Houston’s setup man in 2022, saving 14 games and sporting a 1.024 WHIP in 68 1⁄3 innings.
The Astros acquired Montero in 2021 from the Seattle Mariners in one of Click’s shrewdest moves. Click dealt utility man Abraham Toro and sidearmer Joe Smith to Seattle for Kendall Graveman and Montero.
Initially thought of as a throwin, and after fear he’d miss time this season with a lat injury, Montero blossomed in 2022. He had a 2.37 ERA and finished the season with reverse splits: neutralizing lefthanded hitters better than righties. Montero’s changeup played brilliantly against lefties and his four-seam fastball sat at 96.4 mph — harder than he’d thrown in any professional season.
Bringing Montero back fills the only hole in Houston’s bullpen, which finished the 2022 season as baseball’s best. Closer Ryan Pressly, Héctor Neris, Bryan Abreu and Ryne Stanek are all slated to be back next season. Now, so will Montero.