Inside the Astros

GM Says Houston Astros Will Be 'In Market' For Bullpen Help at Deadline

Houston Astros general brown Dana Brown spoke about the team's needs during the team's pregame radio show on Sunday.

Matthew Postins

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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The Houston Astros need bullpen help. It doesn’t take someone that has watched every Astros game to figure that out. All you have to do is look at the numbers.

The Athletic compiled them and found that four different Astros relievers have made at least 40 appearances this season — Bryan Abreu, Hector Neris, Phil Maton and Ryan Pressly.

The Astros are the only team with four players that have made at least 40 appearances. In fact, only 32 pitchers have made 40 or more appearances in the Majors so far this season.

General manager Dana Brown knows it, too. He spoke about the issue during the Astros’ pregame radio show on Sunday before the team faced the Los Angeles Angels.

Aside from working with manager Dusty Baker to manage the relievers’ workload, there is another thing that will help — a trade. Or two.

Brown said if the chance exists, he’ll take the shot.

“We'll be in the market probably, too, for some 'pen help if we can get it,” Brown said. “Our guys are taxed for the most part."

The Astros are already believed to be looking for at least one veteran starter and another middle-of-the-order bat. On Sunday USA Today reported that the Astros have inquired about two Chicago Cubs that could help solve those problems — starting pitcher Marcus Stroman and outfielder Cody Bellinger.

The Astros have also been linked to Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez.

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Matthew Postins
MATTHEW POSTINS

Matthew Postins is an award-winning sports journalist who covers the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros for Sports Illustrated/FanNation. He also covers he Big 12 for Heartland College Sports.

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