Did Houston Astros Make Massive Mistake With Bullpen?

The Houston Astros should have paid more attention to their bullpen last winter.

Mar 30, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader (71) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Last offseason, the Houston Astros' biggest priority (besides replacing Dusty Baker) was reloading their bullpen.

The Astros were set to lose three key relievers -- Hector Neris, Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek -- in free agency, so replacing those crucial late-game innings should have been critical.

Instead, Houston never really addressed that issue. The front office made big splashes by extending Jose Altuve and signing Josh Hader, even though there was already a proven closer on the roster in Ryan Pressly (3.58 ERA, 31 saves in 2023).

In retrospect, perhaps the $220 million committed to those two players would have been better spent elsewhere. While Altuve has been outstanding as usual (1.165 OPS), the Astros' bullpen has been a disaster through the first week of the season.

Houston is 2-5 to start the year, and all five of its losses have been credited to the bullpen. Astros relievers have a combined 6.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and .900 opponent OPS. Hader has also been a massive bust, taking two losses in four appearances and blowing his only save opportunity.

Hader's not the only culprit, as he's one of six Houston relievers with an ERA over five. However, his struggles represent the Astros' inability to close out games, squandering strong performances from their lineup (first in AL in OPS) and rotation (1.29 ERA, including a no-hitter).

Houston prioritized star power over depth this offseason, and now it's paying the price (literally). The Astros' bullpen is considerably thinner than last year, and a former strength now looks like a potential weakness.

If Houston doesn't turn things around soon, the front office will probably wish it had invested more wisely in the bullpen when it had the chance.