The White Sox have acquired righty Brett Myers (and cash) from the Houston Astros.
In exchange, Sox GM Kenny Williams is shipping prospects Matt Heidenreich, Blair Walters and a player to be named later to the Astros. The deal became official around 2:30 CT Saturday afternoon.
Myers adds veteran leadership to a young bullpen. Credit Robb Carr via Getty Images
It’s the 31 year-old’s second year as a reliever (2007 with Philadelphia), both of which he’s been the closer. In ’07, he successfully saved 21 of 24 save opportunities, and so far in 2012 has nailed down 19 of 21 while amassing a 3.52 ERA. So, the clear question is whether or not he’ll be the south sider’s new closer.
Robin Ventura recently said that Addison Reed would remain as his closer, and I think it’ll stick that way. He’s shown he has the killer instinct in the 9th that you need to be a big league closer, despite the two games he blew for Jose Quintana looming large on our minds the last couple of days.
However, it is nice to have another option. Reed is young, and Ventura doesn’t want to over use him. So the Sox are gaining a huge asset as they now have someone else to turn to, just in case.
Throughout his career, Myers has been known for his devastating curveball, joining the likes of Gavin Floyd and Phil Humber (reaching, I know) as Sox hurlers with deadly breaking balls. And while his ERA is up north of the mid-3.00’s, he has been superb in April, May, and July this year…his only struggles came in the month of June, which luckily is already well in the past.
His best year came for Houston in 2010, when he won 14 games as a starter and held a 3.14 ERA. Simply put, this guy has a ton of ability, and is a very valuable piece to add to the bullpen.
‘Pen Taking Shape
The bullpen now stands as follows:
- Addison Reed, R
- Jesse Crain (returns from DL Saturday), R
- Matt Thornton, L
- Brett Myers, R
- Nate Jones, R
- Dylan Axelrod, R
- Hector Santiago/Donnie Veal, L
I say “Hector Santiago/Donnie Veal” because Veal has gotten a lot of praise from people in and around the organization, and Ventura & Cooper don’t use Santiago much as is. They could let him go to the minors and work on his game as a starter. Though like I said on Twitter, it’s just a thought.
If you ask me, the bullpen went from one that was below average and far too young on Friday to a well-balanced, above average ‘pen on Saturday.
So take a deep breath Sox fans, it looks like we’ll have a little less worrying to do late in games.