Headlines

  • Brewers Place Trevor Megill On IL Due To Flexor Strain, Sign Erick Fedde
  • Guardians Place Carlos Santana On Outright Waivers
  • Pirates Designate Andrew Heaney For Assignment
  • Astros Reinstate Yordan Alvarez From Injured List
  • Nathan Eovaldi Likely Out For Season Due To Rotator Cuff Strain
  • Mets To Promote Jonah Tong
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Brown: Graveman Injury Does Not Intensify Astros’ Bullpen Pursuit

By Steve Adams | January 16, 2024 at 4:34pm CDT

The Astros were already facing the loss of relievers Hector Neris, Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek via free agency, and they’ll now also be without righty Kendall Graveman for the 2024 season after he underwent shoulder surgery. The team announced Graveman’s operation earlier today, declining to delve into specifics, but subtracting him from the ’pen equation leaves Ryan Pressly, Bryan Abreu and rebound hopeful Rafael Montero as the only Houston relievers with even three years of MLB service. The vast majority of Houston’s bullpen options have under one year of MLB service time.

“We’ve been focused on the (bullpen) anyway, this doesn’t intensify it,” general manager Dana Brown tells Chandler Rome of The Athletic. “We just may have to get one more body or one of our guys internally will step up.” Brown made similar comments to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, telling him that the Astros have some in-house relief options “that we really feel good about,” though the GM also conceded that he’s still in the market to bring in an additional bullpen arm from outside the organization.

The free agent market for relievers has dried up over the past couple months. As MLBTR’s Contract Tracker shows, there have been 34 relief pitchers signed to Major League contracts this winter. None have signed with Houston. Brown acknowledged to Rome that he’d had talks with the representatives for all of Neris, Maton and Stanek but wouldn’t specify much beyond the fact that he’s “more in the ballpark” with one of Neris/Maton than the other. Rome reported last week that the Astros haven’t pursued Maton aggressively, and he doubled down on that in today’s report.

While many of the top relievers are already off the board, there are still plenty of experienced names from which to choose if Houston is intent on adding a free agent. The ’Stros almost certainly aren’t going to spend at the necessary levels to add top-tier names like Josh Hader and Robert Stephenson, but more affordable options still on the market include Ryan Brasier, John Brebbia, Michael Fulmer, Mychal Givens, Adam Ottavino and Wandy Peralta — to name just a few.

“If we can go get one more [reliever] and use some of the candidates in-house, we feel like we’ll be good,” Brown replied when asked by McTaggart about adding another bullpen arm.

One of the primary questions for the ’Stros will be one of finances. To this point, the only free agent they’ve signed to a big league deal this winter is backup catcher Victor Caratini. That signing placed Houston within $1MM of the $237MM luxury-tax threshold, per Roster Resource. Owner Jim Crane hasn’t publicly declared any mandate to remain shy of that barrier, but the Astros’ lack of activity this winter, coupled with trade rumblings regarding some of their more prominent but expensive players (e.g. Framber Valdez) have combined to fuel speculation about a desire to avoid paying the tax. Houston has crossed the tax threshold only once under Crane’s ownership.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Houston Astros Hector Neris Kendall Graveman Phil Maton Ryne Stanek

Mets Sign Yolmer Sanchez, Austin Allen To Minor League Deals
Main
Giants Acquire Cooper Hummel From Mets
View Comments (24)
Post a Comment

24 Comments

  1. deGrom/Langford Texas Ranger

    2 years ago

    The Astros are not winning the AL West again unless their black magic continues with making random guys elite pitchers, though that has mostly been the case for starters, not relievers.

    2
    Reply
    • acoss13

      2 years ago

      They’re 1 million dollars from crossing the 237 million dollars mark, they should just cross it and sign someone like Nerris to fill up the roster.

      1
      Reply
    • jjd002

      2 years ago

      Dusty not coaching them is already an improvement over last year, which ended with a West title.

      5
      Reply
      • mlb fan

        2 years ago

        Yes, because having a Hall of Fame, World Series winning manager is always bad for team success, right Dodo?

        3
        Reply
        • astros_fan_84

          2 years ago

          Dusty’s lineups made no sense.

          2
          Reply
        • jjd002

          2 years ago

          How to say you don’t know anything about the Astros without saying it. The guy held Houston back, big time, last year. He did great the year before. His managing last year was atrocious. Being a hall of fame manager doesn’t mean he gets to escape correct criticism.

          Reply
    • Ejemp2006

      2 years ago

      The league is very polarized right now. The A’s, Angels, Royals, and White Sox have putrid rosters. I haven’t looked at it yet, but it might be wise for either the Rangers or Astros to inflate their pre deadline record with an uneven balance of competition before they add to their teams. A lot will be decided by when they play who. Good teams in the east might trade great assets if their difficult schedule convinces them they should be sellers.

      3
      Reply
      • jjd002

        2 years ago

        The league has a balanced schedule now.

        Reply
  2. Devlsh

    2 years ago

    “We just may have to get one more body” – GM Dana Brown

    There’s a man dedicated to building excellence.

    8
    Reply
    • stroh

      2 years ago

      So far do nothing Brown. Talked big when he was hired. Afraid to go to the owner to spend over the cap. Doesn’t make trades either. If the Stros are not in ALCS again, my prediction is he gets fired. Crane is still reeling from Luhnow not keeping him in the loop so he has hired two yes men, Click and Brown since Luhnow. Crane is a billionaire and has 6th highest payroll in baseball. But doesn’t want to spend a dime over the luxury tax threshold.

      Reply
  3. Curly Was The Smart Stooge

    2 years ago

    Graveman, is that prophetic?

    5
    Reply
  4. Michael Can Fart? Oh!

    2 years ago

    typical PR response “this doesn’t intensify it”. (picture the Jim Healy ‘RIIIIIGGGGHHHT sound effect)

    3
    Reply
  5. dejota

    2 years ago

    Poor Jim Crane. Will nobody think of his liquidity?!

    Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      2 years ago

      Only if he has a melt down..

      1
      Reply
  6. Salzilla

    2 years ago

    Insert Elmo whatever gif here.

    Reply
    • Beff Jagwell

      2 years ago

      Time to make some trades and retool.

      Reply
  7. User 3594734386

    2 years ago

    Givens? Oof. Looked done in 23. Of recent Orioles reliever cast offs, maybe trying out Voth before Givens?

    Reply
  8. WSnotAstros2017

    2 years ago

    Gravemen lost now. Crazy. Astros looking at their in house dumpster divers to come up big. Ha, Ha

    Not even sure if the team will come up big and more. DB keeps saying “OH WE ARE GREAT!!!

    Outfield of Chas and Meyers is questionable. No not forgetting Tucker as know what he can do. First base, 3rd base, SS also questionable. Catching questionable with Diaz. Starters questionable. They say Framber is going to be an ace with Javier. THey said that last season and they stunk. Maybe had one month of good games.

    They just do not want to admit the full truth. Makes me wonder if do not get anyone any good but another dumpster diver for the bullpen.

    And then team does not come out good and more. Then really is in trouble with pitching and more. Word is Verlander is softening with not pitching every fifth day so Houston may go to 6 man rotation.

    Starters: Brown/Urquidy and France are questionable and Verlander/Framber/Javier are iffy.

    Bullpen: Not sure with Montero if will rebound. Abreu and Pressly as main 8th and 9th of course. Of some we still have that used last season. Blanco, Seth Martinez and company not sure on at this point. Relying on what they did last season and think they will take control. Or the team that had players and pitching struggling all season will all bounce back. Meyers will rebound playing full time and Chas.

    It will be a miracle. Rangers have not done a lot. Doubt if they get Montgomery. But could surprise.

    Not crazy about the list of pitchers for bullpen looking at.

    But Crane will be Crane. Dumpster diving now as Luhnow is gone.

    2
    Reply
    • stroh

      2 years ago

      Stros have one of the best teams in baseball. But no longer clearly best in AL. And they won’t spend over luxury tax. What you said is a bunch of gobbledygook. That’s about it.

      Reply
  9. stymeedone

    2 years ago

    Guy spends $235MM and gets accused of being cheap.
    What’s in your wallet?

    4
    Reply
    • acoss13

      2 years ago

      Capitol One?

      2
      Reply
    • kylegocougs

      2 years ago

      Simp

      Reply
  10. Nightman

    2 years ago

    Seems like a stall until at least June to see where we’re at. Honestly, not a horrible play. Gives some guys a chance to step up in what hopefully would be non-leverage situations with Presley, Abreu, and (gulp) Montero handling the back end early on. Then, you look at the trade market where you can save money paying only half of some guys’ salary.

    Reply
    • stroh

      2 years ago

      You’re probably right. That’s Crane’s way of operating.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Brewers Place Trevor Megill On IL Due To Flexor Strain, Sign Erick Fedde

    Guardians Place Carlos Santana On Outright Waivers

    Pirates Designate Andrew Heaney For Assignment

    Astros Reinstate Yordan Alvarez From Injured List

    Nathan Eovaldi Likely Out For Season Due To Rotator Cuff Strain

    Mets To Promote Jonah Tong

    BBWAA To Institute Relief Pitcher Of The Year Award In 2026

    Zack Wheeler Recommended For Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Surgery

    Frankie Montas Done For 2025 Due To “Pretty Significant” UCL Injury

    Orioles Extend Samuel Basallo

    Astros Sign Craig Kimbrel

    Pirates Promote Bubba Chandler

    Evan Carter Diagnosed With Fractured Wrist

    Blue Jays Activate Shane Bieber

    MLB, ESPN Nearing Deal Involving MLB.TV And In-Market Rights For Five Clubs

    Rays Promote Carson Williams

    Red Sox To Promote Jhostynxon Garcia, Place Wilyer Abreu On IL

    Kyle Tucker Was Diagnosed With Hairline Hand Fracture In June

    Félix Bautista Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Expected To Miss 12 Months

    Phillies Place Zack Wheeler On Injured List With Blood Clot

    Recent

    MLBTR Podcast: A Conversation With Pirates GM Ben Cherington — Also The O’s, Zack Wheeler, And The Rangers

    MLB Mailbag: Kyle Tucker, Nick Lodolo, Bo Bichette, Rays, Mets

    Cubs To Place Jameson Taillon On Injured List

    Orioles To Move To Six-Man Rotation

    Rockies Move Antonio Senzatela To Bullpen

    Royals Sign Geoff Hartlieb To Minor League Deal

    Nationals To Select CJ Stubbs

    Diamondbacks Designate Tristin English For Assignment, Select Taylor Rashi

    Drew Millas Suffers Finger Fracture

    Poll: The Rangers And The Waiver Wire

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Every MLB Trade In July
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version