Astros, Rafael Montero reach 3-year deal worth $34.5 million

Reliefer Raphael Montero agreed to a three-year, $34.5 million contract that will bring the right arm back Houston Astros‘bullpen dominated a week after the staff pitched its ball to the World Series championship, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN.

Montero, 32, thrived his entire first season with the Astros, posting an ERA of 2.37 in 68⅓ innings and allowing just three home runs while beating 73. The deal came. together on a transformative Friday for the Astros, who met the general manager James Click turned down a one-year contract from owner Jim Crane and left the organization.

Montero re-signing deepens an Astros growth cycle that’s back closer Ryan pressright-handed flamethrower Ryne Stanek and Bryan Abreuand solid rights Hector Neris and Phil Maton. It also continues the original trend of free agent paying well for relief pitchers, after New York Mets Signed Edwin Diaz with a five-year, $102 million contract, and San Diego gave the right-hander Robert Suárez a five-year, $46 million contract.

Houston acquired Montero in a July 2021 transaction from Seattle Marines and watch him become the hardest throw version of himself, with a fast ball that averages 96.5 mph. Of the rest of the pain relievers available in free reseller, Montero tops the list of several teams.

The contract is a bet on Montero’s 2022 more than his previous seasons. Once a highly regarded startup prospect, Montero went from the Mets to become Texas Ranger for the Mariners before landing in Houston, where he allowed runs twice in 9⅓ innings later this season and beat 10.

With a 50% greater hit rate and a high number of appearances, Montero is sure to garner widespread interest and take advantage of that with a deal that exceeds industry-wide expectations. In 182 games of his career, Montero had a 4.43 ERA as a reliever and hit 213 games in 201⅓ innings.