Simply 11 months after being launched by the Cubs, Adrian Houser could also be a candidate to return to Wrigleyville. The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney writes that Houser is one among many pitchers the Cubs “are contemplating” as deadline upgrades.
The Cubs received a first-hand have a look at Houser simply final night time, as he tossed 6 2/3 innings whereas permitting three earned runs on 5 hits and three walks in a 12-5 White Sox win over the crosstown rivals. It was Houser’s ninth high quality begin in 11 outings this season, leading to a sterling 2.10 ERA for the veteran right-hander over 68 2/3 innings. Houser’s 4.51 SIERA is far much less flattering, as he has achieved his success regardless of a middling stroll price and a 17.1% strikeout price that ranks solely within the fifteenth percentile of all pitchers.
Houser has additionally allowed lots of laborious contact, however he has accomplished an excellent job of avoiding probably the most damaging varieties of contact, as his 4.9% barrel price is likely one of the league’s finest. The righty has additionally restricted fly balls altogether, with a really stable 47.3% grounder price. His signature sinker continues to be a really efficient pitcher, and whereas Houser’s 95.1mph fastball is just barely above league common velo-wise, it represents the very best velocity of Houser’s 9 MLB seasons.
Even when some regression is inevitable, Houser has a minimum of bounced again properly from a tough 2024 season. He posted a 5.84 ERA over 69 1/3 innings with the Mets earlier than being designated for task after which launched in late July. The Cubs and Orioles every signed Houser to minor league offers over the rest of the 2024 season however he didn’t obtain any massive league taking part in time with both membership. One other minors take care of the Rangers within the offseason additionally didn’t go anyplace and he was launched by Texas in mid-Might, however quickly landed with the White Sox on a assured one-year deal value a prorated $1.35MM wage.
That contract has ended up being an incredible discount for the Sox, who now look to additional profit by flipping Houser earlier than the July 31 commerce deadline. The return shall be fairly restricted for a rental pitcher with Houser’s spotty Statcast metrics and profession historical past, however the 32-year-old has actually carried out properly sufficient to get onto the radar of the numerous contenders that in the hunt for rotation assist.
The Cubs have one among baseball’s finest lineups, so enhancing the rotation and bullpen has been the workforce’s chief objective because the deadline approaches. Houser has labored as a swingman and lengthy reliever previously, so he may assist Chicago in each regards relying on how the Cubs may select to deploy him, or relying on what different arms might be becoming a member of Houser both as deadline provides or as inner returns. As Mooney notes, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad are on monitor to return from the injured checklist in August, however that gained’t be till properly after the deadline, and the Cubs want pitching assist now of their battle with the Brewers for the NL Central lead.
Dylan Stop and Mitch Keller are among the many starters who’ve been linked to the Cubs on the rumor mill. Chicago can be closely concerned within the bullpen market and is reportedly on the lookout for third base assist, so president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has loads of plates within the air this near July 31. If the Cubs make investments extra of their commerce capital in touchdown a 3rd baseman or a blue chip reliever, Houser represents extra of a inexpensive backup plan for the rotation by way of each wage owed and commerce value.
