Houston Astros: 3 free agents to sign and 1 to avoid

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Sep 24, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Brad Hand (33) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Brad Hand. 2.. RP. player. 5. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Cleveland Indians

Prior to the start of free agency, the Cleveland Indians shocked the world by declining the option on relief pitcher Brad Hand’s contract on Friday. Hand was set to make $10 million in 2021, but Cleveland opted to decline it after they found no takers on the trade market. Now, those interested organizations have no restrictions.

While many will say that the 2020 season deserves an asterisk, that’s unacceptable. Hand was dominant in this past truncated campaign. The southpaw reliever managed to post career-highs in ERA (2.05) and WHIP (0.773), while leading the league in games finished (21) and saves (16). And teams didn’t want to make a deal with the Indians? Strange.

The Astros need to bolster up the bullpen, since the team just waived controversial reliever Roberto Osuna last week. Sure, Ryan Pressly was solid for Houston this past season, but why not give him more help? Adding a dominant lefty like Hand could give the Astros a one-two punch in the bullpen.

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