*Photo from Chron*
Another key cog to the Houston success is sticking around. The Houston Astros and RHP Rafael Montero have agreed to a 3 year, $34.5 million deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Astros have confirmed the signing.
At the 2021 trade deadline, the Astros acquired Montero and Kendall Graveman from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for reliever Joe Smith and infielder Abraham Toro. Despite losing Graveman that offseason in free agency, the trade worked out pretty well for the Astros, as Smith is a free agent and Toro was bouncing between Triple A and the majors last season for Seattle.
Initially, it wasn't looking as good, as Montero had a 7.27 ERA with the Mariners at the time of the trade. When he came to Houston, He had 4 scoreless appearances over 6 innings pitched, and then was left off the postseason roster. In 2022, he flourished, becoming a top setup option in the back of the bullpen and the backup closer for the Astros.
Montero had a strong 2022, ending the regular season with a 5-2 record to go with a 2.37 ERA, 2.64 FIP, and 1.02 WHIP. He threw 68 1/3 innings over 71 relief appearances and added another 14 saves. He had a 1.93 ERA in 10 relief appearances in the Astros World Series run this past postseason.
In his career, Montero has spent 8 seasons in the majors with 4 different teams. Over that time, he has a 4.64 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 4.02 FIP, throwing 356 2/3 innings over the span of 30 starts and 182 relief appearances. Montero also has 29 saves to his name.
It's also impressive considering that Montero, a reliever with lengthy injury history, managed to stay healthy for the entire season. He underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2018, then dealt with tendinitis in the surgically repaired shoulder when he returned in 2020, and was shut down for the last two months of 2021 with right shoulder discomfort.
With the re-signing of Montero, the Astros return the entirety of the back end of the bullpen in 2023, with Ryan Pressly, Ryne Stanek, Bryan Abreu, and Hector Neris all under contract for manager Dusty Baker to deploy.
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