Astros Sign Former Closer To Bolster Bullpen

The Houston Astros have filled a hole at the back-end of their bullpen, by signing former Philadelphia Phillies closer Hector Neris. 

Source confirms: Free-agent reliever Héctor Neris in agreement with Astros on two-year contract. Pending physical. First reported: @JSalisburyNBCS.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 27, 2021

It's a two-year deal worth $17M according to Ken Rosenthal. Neris was the on-again, off-again closer in a Phillies bullpen that was, quite frankly, one of the most disastrous in baseball in 2021. And while he notched 12 saves, he also blew 7 other save opportunities, and was replaced as the closer by June. 

The 32-year-old has been in the Phillies bullpen for all 7 of his major league seasons, boasting two strong years, in 2017 and 2019, when he nailed down 26 and 28 saves, respectively, with an ERA around the 3.00 mark. 

For his career, he's compiled a respectable 3.42 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, along with 82 saves, and a bWAR of 7.5 overall. 

Neris replaces Kendall Graveman as the set-up man in the Astros bullpen, to closer Ryan Pressly. Graveman signed a 3-year deal with the Chicago White Sox last week.

Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports