Three of the Houston Astros’ top relievers, who had been a part of their great bullpen for the previous few seasons, left in free agency this offseason, dealing the team a pretty big blow.
All three saw their market values rise after stellar stints as members of the Astros relief staff, making it appear impossible for the front office to hold onto them.
The rumours that they are currently not interested in getting back together with one of their relievers seem to support that.
But perhaps Houston will have to reconsider that strategy given that Kendall Graveman is anticipated to miss the entire 2024 campaign.
However, due to their exceptional performances, these pitchers are being pursued by other teams and may be taken off the market with offers that the Astros are unable to match.
That may be the case with Ryne Stanek, who was connected to the Chicago Cubs by 670 the Score’s Bruce Levine.
The Cubs may target certain relievers this offseason, according to the insider’s conversation with Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation.
“Levine listed three righty relievers to ‘keep an eye on’ for the Cubs: Robert Stephenson (whom we’ve heard about before and who would be an awesome, expensive signing), Ryne Stanek, and Adam Ottavino,” wrote Taylor.
Chicago might greatly benefit from adding Stanek as they attempt to improve their relief unit.
During his three years in Houston, the right-hander tossed 172 2/3 innings and made 186 appearances while recording a 2.90 ERA and 142 ERA+. It was the strongest span of his career. He is a potent weapon out of the bullpen because to his career strikeout per nine inning ratio of 10.5.
Stanek is a reliable reliever whose market is apparently starting to heat up, even though he struggled a little bit with the Astros in 2023 compared to what he displayed in the past.
This week, MLB Network will reveal its “Top 10 Right Now” at strategic locations across the diamond. A Chicago Cubs player was added to the list on Wednesday.
Nico Hoerner, a second baseman, was graded too low, nevertheless.
Hoerner was on the list when the network revealed its Top 10 at second base, but he just about made it, ranking No. 10.
It’s probable that Hoerner was harmed by his service term. Despite having played in MLB for four seasons, he has only been a full-time player for the last two. In addition, in 2023 he played second base full-time for the first time in his career. He was the starting shortstop for the Cubs, but once Dansby Swanson was signed, he switched to second base.
Nevertheless, Hoerner excelled in his first full season at second base. With nine home runs and 68 RBI, he slashed.283/.346/.383/.729 and won his first Gold Glove. It was his second season in a row that he batted above.280.
Maybe his recent shift to second base is what is making things difficult for him. But why isn’t it effective against the Los Angeles Dodgers’ No. 1 ranked second baseman, Mookie Betts?
Despite playing 70 games at second base last year, Betts played 107 games in the outfield, where he has spent the most of his career. He will start playing second base for the Dodgers full-time in 2024, bringing two World Series championships and seven selections to the All-Star Game.
