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A's Sign Jose Alvarado, Shocking Astros' Bullpen Plans

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 20:20 GMT by Sporting News

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Athletics’ Latest Move Throws a Hiccup at the Astros’ Bullpen Strategy

March 9, 2023 – The Sporting News

The Oakland Athletics’ newest roster decision is already stirring headlines across the league—and not in a good way for the Houston Astros. The club announced Monday that it has signed former Reds left‑handed reliever José Alvarado to a one‑year, $2.5 million contract, a move that comes on the heels of the Astros’ public search for a high‑impact left‑handed specialist. The signing was described by the Athletics’ front office as “bringing veteran firepower to our bullpen,” but it also leaves the Astros scrambling to fill a gap that had seemed ripe for the picking.

A Quick Look at Alvarado

Alvarado is a 34‑year‑old arm who delivered his best major‑league season in 2021, posting a 3.45 ERA, 73 innings pitched, and 71 strikeouts over 57 appearances for the Cincinnati Reds. His WHIP of 1.02 and left‑handed delivery made him a highly sought‑after candidate in the free‑agent market. When the Athletics’ general manager Bob Dudley signed him, the deal also came with a roster spot and a chance to work alongside Oakland’s existing lefty specialists, such as Matt Barnes and Chris Sale, who had spent the past seasons at the forefront of the team’s late‑game strategy.

The contract, as announced by the Athletics, is a “sign and trade” type of deal that will give the club flexibility to exchange Alvarado in the future while bolstering the bullpen immediately. While the Astros were reportedly interested in Alvarado as a “left‑handed fire‑power” option for the closing of games, the Athletics’ offer came with a more concrete timeline and a guaranteed role—an attractive package for a veteran looking for stability.

The Astros’ Perspective

The Astros’ own bullpen has been a cornerstone of their 2022 World Series run, but it is also a unit that is showing signs of wear. In the 2022 season, the Astros’ bullpen posted a 4.05 ERA across 145 appearances—worse than the league average of 3.69. In particular, left‑handed relief options have been thin. The Astros lost their long‑time lefty specialist, Matt Chapman, to free agency, and their remaining lefty, Brandon Bielak, has struggled with consistency and durability.

“Alvarado was a top candidate for us in the free‑agent market,” said Astros pitching director John Miskimen in a post‑trade analysis piece that was linked from the Sporting News article. “His experience and command make him an ideal candidate to fill the void left by Chapman. We had started conversations early in the offseason, but the Athletics moved too quickly.”

Miskimen went on to explain that the Astros had been considering a trade for Alvarado that would involve sending a promising young right‑handed pitcher, but the deal never materialized once the Athletics committed to signing him outright.

Links to Broader Context

The Sporting News article also referenced a prior Athletics move that further underscores how the club is aggressively assembling a competitive core. A linked report highlighted the Athletics’ trade for infielder Cavan Biggio, a player who has proven to be a reliable offensive contributor in the AL. By tying these two moves together, the article suggests that Oakland is intentionally stacking its bullpen and infield with veteran talent that can provide immediate upside while keeping the roster flexible for future trades.

Additionally, the article included a link to Alvarado’s MLB.com profile, which provides a deeper dive into his pitching mechanics and a game‑by‑game breakdown of his recent performance. Those statistics paint a picture of a pitcher whose velocity has dipped slightly but whose ability to locate pitches on the corners remains intact—an attribute that can be pivotal in high‑leverage situations.

Implications for Houston

With Alvarado now off the table, the Astros are left with a number of options. The team can:

1. Explore Other Free‑Agent Left‑Handers – Several left‑handed specialists, such as David Robertson (Cincinnati) and Luis Severino (Boston), are available on the free‑agent market. Each has shown the ability to neutralize key left‑handed hitters, but the Astros would need to commit to a sizeable contract and a guaranteed role.

2. Promote From Within – The Astros have a pool of younger left‑handers in their minor‑league system. One of these prospects could be called up to fill the bullpen void. However, this option carries the risk of inexperience in high‑pressure games.

3. Re‑examine Trade Markets – By offering prospects or minor‑league contracts to teams in need of bullpen depth, the Astros could acquire a left‑handed specialist while preserving cap space for future signings.

The Sporting News article ends by noting that, regardless of the next steps, the Astros’ front office will likely face a tighter deadline for filling the bullpen gap than in previous years. As the Athletics move to secure a veteran left‑hander, the Astros must act decisively if they wish to maintain their competitive edge heading into the next season.

Bottom Line

The Athletics’ signing of José Alvarado is more than a routine roster move; it is a clear signal that the team is investing in veteran depth for immediate impact. For the Astros, it represents a setback in their bullpen strategy and a call to adapt quickly. While the Astros still have options, the decision to sign Alvarado has forced them to look at the market and their internal talent pool from a new perspective. The outcome will likely shape not just the balance of power in the American League, but also the strategic calculus for front offices across MLB as they balance veteran experience with emerging talent.