Astros Reportedly “Looking Hard At” Reds’ Closer Raisel Iglesias, But What Are They Seeing?

The Houston Astros are among the teams with an apparent interest in Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

While the Boston Red Sox have more than a passing interest, themselves, Houston in particular is “looking hard at Iglesias,” Cafardo writes.

Iglesias, a right-hander from Cuba, has been Cincinnati’s closer since August 2016, and he continues to be among the Reds mentioned most often in trade rumors this season, reports the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The ‘Pen Point

It hasn’t been exactly a “closer by committee” for the Astros the first half of 2018, but officially crowned closer Ken Giles has largely been the model of inconsistency for manager AJ Hinch, who now shies away from merging Giles with high leverage situations.

Relievers Hector Rondon and Will Harris have stepped in to cleanly wrap up some games, but apparently, general manager Jeff Luhnow joins Hinch in the assessment that obtaining an established, consistent closer might be necessary by the July 31 trade deadline.

“Winds” Above Replacement

As MLB Trade Rumors reports, “The 28-year-old standout is under control through 2020 for affordable salaries ($4.5 million this season, $5 million in each of 2019 and ’20), though he could elect to opt into arbitration over the winter in hopes of securing a raise.

“Given Iglesias’ track record and remaining team control, the Reds would surely require an impressive haul to consider moving him. It’s worth noting, then, that the Astros have Baseball America’s 10th-best farm system, while the Red Sox’s prospect pool is just 24th.”

Raisel (pronounced rye-SELL), 6’2″ and 188 pounds, has posted a 2.63 ERA in 35 appearances this season with 16 saves (in 18 chances). He has 42 strikeouts and a 1.035 WHIP, with a K/9 of 10 in 37.2 innings.

In 76 innings last year, his ERA was a near-identical 2.49, nailing down 28 of 30 save opportunities, with a 1.11 WHIP. His K/9 was 10.89.

AstrosCounty digs up these stats: “Since taking over the closer role for Cincinnati in 2016, Iglesias ranks 28th among qualified relievers with 2.9 fWAR. For comparison’s sake, ‘Stro relievers Chris Devenski and Giles rank 8th and 9th with 4.7 and 4.1 fWAR, respectively.

“Iglesias’ 9.3% HR/FB rate is tied with Giles for 39th out of 160 qualified relievers since 2016, and has stranded 90.6% of baserunners.”

Nicknamed “The Cyclone” (“El Ciclón”), Iglesias features a mid-90s fastball which can effortlessly hit 98 mph. “100-Miles” Giles can hit 100 anytime he wants (and it’s been a lot, and we’ve all gasped appropriately), but placement and movement have been issues that have cost him saves and his manager’s trust.

The Red Reporter, a little more clumsily than it needed to, recently described the Iglesias delivery: “The arm angles are precipitous, as he can drop down and throw as many as three different pitches (four-seam fastball, slider, and a changeup) from a myriad of deliveries designed to confuse the living hell out of the opposition.”

He’d Be Worth Getting, But At What Price?

Having waded through the offseason and trade deadline of 2017 unscathed, consider Houston’s two top-ranked prospects, Kyle Tucker and Forrest Whitley as untouchable as radioactive newlywed porcupines.

While Iglesias has real value, both Tucker and Whitley are on track to make their MLB debuts this season, and fans would storm the Minute Maid gates if either was dealt, especially after having survived last year’s trade threats.

So, whatever might constitute a “high price” for Cincy to send Iglesias to Houston will have to come from the Astros’ still-deep well of players not named Tucker or Whitley. Read it and weep, Reds fans.

But, What About a Bullpen Lefty?

For Astros fans wondering why the team is “looking hard at” anyone who’s not a left-hander, a possible strategy: They may still make a trade for one, or they may be convinced that the Tony Sipp resurgence is real and reliable.

Then, there’s Houston’s lefty “secret weapon,” Double-A Corpus Christi starter Cionel Perez (like Iglesias, a native Cuban), who was just up for a literal cup of coffee to get a peek at the big league experience.

That recent two-day visit had to mean something more than merely flattening splinters, and rest assured Houston’s bullpen mainstays and coaches made it a point to pass along much-needed info to the promising pitcher. He’ll be back.

A Trade of Biblical Proportions?

Separating closer Iglesias from Cincinnati won’t be easy, especially because of what will prove to be a high price tag to obtain him. He may be “just” a closer, but he’s a good, and more importantly, consistent one, with lengthy team control. Houston will need to be able to rely on closing the door in the 9th as the playoffs approach.

But, Luhnow may have to acquire a Moses complex to pull this one off, as it may take a miracle to part, from their bullpen, the Reds’ “C.”

Related: Astros Showing Interest In White Sox 1B, Jose Abreu; What’s the Punchline?

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