Looking For An Astros Closer? David Carpenter Might Be Your Guy

This may be projecting a little bit, but inside this story about how David Carpenter's conversion to a reliever was new Astro GM Jeff Luhnow's idea, there's a hint at who may be the new closer next year.

See, after the Astros traded away Mark Melancon to the Boston Red Sox, they will need a new closer. Not "need" need, since a team that will probably lose 100 games doesn't need a closer. But, they will probably fill the position with someone determined during spring training, so until then, there will be a question on who that might be.

David Carpenter is as good an option as any. He's got some familiarity with the new GM from his time with the Cardinals, has a good fastball and saw some success last season with the Astros. He's got plenty of competition in Juan Abreu, Wilton Lopez and even big-money reliever Brandon Lyon.

If we're handicapping the race, Carp has maybe the second-best chance behind Lyon, but we'll find out soon enough, as pitchers and catchers will report in less than two months. Wooo!