It’s not hard to figure out who the Astros closer will be next year

Astros GM James Click’s comment makes it clear who the Astros assume their closer will be in 2021.

Click’s Astros were one game away from an American League pennant last season, despite all the odds being stacked against them and drawing the hatred of the rest of the major leagues in association with the sign-stealing scandal. The 2017 World Series left a stain on the Astros season three years after the fact, even if it was a shortened slate. But in that defeatist attitude lies a new identity — one born of defiance to the norms and the hate their MLB brethren have for them.

Houston needs a new closer, or so we thought. Instead, it seems Click is comfortable going into the season with Ryan Pressly taking over that slot full-time, as he did after the injury to Roberto Osuna.

Pressly is capable enough, as he proved with his 12 saves in 2020

“There is a real value and a real comfort to having that guy that you can count on in those really tight, really high-leverage situations, and I think Pressly has all the tools to do that,” Click said. “Beyond that, I think there are some guys in our bullpen that could grow into that [closer’s] role.”

Just days ago, it was reported that Houston was among the potential suitors for former Athletics closer Liam Hendriks, who’s probably the best reliever on the open market in free agency. Assuming Click is serious in his comments about Pressly, we can potentially take them out of the running…for now.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that the Astros won’t look to add to their bullpen in other ways. But signed Hendriks as a setup man seems unlikely.