What are your thoughts of Astros going after Kimbrel?

Another thing that concerns me about Osuna is his decline in velocity since 2016, as well as his save % not being that great IIRC. If we could get Kimbrel at a reasonable 3 year deal, I'd do it! I'd love to recreate that Lidge/Wagner 1-2 punch. Also, after this season, a ton of our relievers will become FA (Pressly, Rondon, Harris, Smith, also McHugh if you count him), so it relieves (no pun intended) the problem of potentially having to rely on too many young, unproven arms in 2020.

 

The Astros aren't gonna make a significant financial investment in a closer...nor should they.

If he came down to a reasonable level, somebody would have signed him already.

 

Osuna blew 1 save in 22 chances last season. Be careful what you wish for if your criteria for a closer is save percentage. Look no further than Ken Giles who has only blown 4 saves in 64 chances the last 2 seasons.

 

Wasn’t Kimbrel pretty sketchy last postseason? He certainly was against us. Not saying he isn’t great, but I feel good with Osuna in the 9th. Kimbrel is a luxury move and I’d pass right now and invest the money when we have a better idea of need.

 

Kimbrel gave up 7 runs in 10 2/3 innings in the postseason, going 6-6 in saves. He had two perfect outings and gave up runs in 5 of 9 appearances.

Osuna gave up 5 runs in 6 innings, going 1-1 in saves. Osuna allowed at least one baserunner in all 4 of his outings, but all of his runs were in one appearance. Oddly, that's very regular-season-Giles-like.

 

We got our closer when we acquired Osuna.

This team isn’t paying anything exorbitant on our bullpen. Not with the arms we have in our farm. Hard pass on Kimbrel and his super questionable end to 2018.

 

I can’t think of a realistic scenario where Kimbrel to Houston makes sense. Too likely that Boston or Atlanta offer him more to be somewhere he’d rather be. But those are the same reasons it makes sense to me to bring Keuchel back; sign him for 2-3 years and let Miley/James/McHugh/Peacock compete for the 4-5 spots with the losers going to the bullpen.

 

Only possible way Luhnow might chase Kimbrel is if Osuna gets hurt. Even then, I expect he would look at the trade market first.

If they signed Kimbrel at a 16 million AAV that would only give the Astros about 5-6 million to add payroll at the deadline and stay under the tax threshold that Crane said they will remain under. I think Luhnow will be after some big fish at the deadline and will want more flexibility than that.

 

yes 206 million

Astros payroll is around 185 million for luxury tax purposes.

 

I always saw JB Bukauskus as our closer-in-waiting
I know they're still stretching him out as starter in minors, but his 1-2 combo of FB + wicked Slider screams Billy/Lidge
Might not get a shot to close this year, but seems like his debut from the pen will be in Houston sometime in 2019

 

Future MLB-level closers/relievers get used as starters in the minors, so they get regular work.

 

Dean Deetz is also someone who might be able to close down the road. 100+mph FB with a great slider. Should make the OD roster this year.

 

Osuna’s velocity came back up in 2018 just FYI

 

I'd do it. Osuna doesn't bring the same mound presence as Kimbrel. You want the opponent to feel like they better get it done in the 8th and that's what Kimbrel will deliver. Shut the door on them mentally. I don't think he's lost that edge yet despite showing some cracks.