According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, Houston has interest in signing free agent reliever Jordan Hicks. Morosi also notes that the New York Yankees are showing interest in the hard-throwing right-hander.

Hicks spent nearly all of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals before being transferred to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ’23 season. In his five-year career, he has a 3.85 ERA and a 1.299 WHIP.

There have been times when his command has been problematic. He walked eight and struck out 22 in the 24 innings he pitched for the Blue Jays the previous season.

2023 was the best year of his career, appearing in 65 games and posting a combined 3.29 ERA. Hicks struck out 81 batters across the 65 2/3 innings he pitched last season. Hector Neris, Ryne Stanek, and Phil Maton all departed this offseason, making bullpen additions a necessity for the Astros’ front office.

The 27-year-old’s season is supported by the advanced stats. According to Baseball Savant, he was in the 100th percentile for fastball velocity and in the 80th percentile or better for xERA, xBA, AVG exit velocity, k%, barrel%, and GB%. For a Houston team looking to assemble for a potential repeat World Series push, this might be a major addition.

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