1. 新闻来源：
mlbtraderumors
2. 新闻标题：
Astros Sign Hector Rondon
3. 新闻内容：
By Steve Adams | December 15, 2017 at 2:11pm CDT
The Astros have inked free-agent righty Hector Rondon to a two-year, $8.5MM
pact. Rondon, an Octagon client, was non-tendered by the Cubs earlier this
month. Now, he’s lined up for successive $4MM and $4.5MM salaries in
Houston, where he’ll represent an arm with closing experience to help
fortify the back of the bullpen.
Rondon, 30 in February, saved 77 games with a 2.44 ERA, 9.3 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9
with the Cubs fro 2014-16. He initially lost the closer’s role in Chicago
through little fault of his own, as he was bumped from that spot when Chicago
acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees prior to the 2016 non-waiver trade
deadline.
The 2017 season was Rondon’s worst since the 2013 campaign (when he was a
Rule 5 pick out of the Indians organization), as he turned in a 4.24 ERA with
a 3.1 BB/9 mark — both his highest levels since that rookie season. However,
Rondon also logged a career-high 10.8 K/9 and 29.1 percent overall strikeout
rate in 2017 while maintaining excellent fastball velocity (average of 96.4
mph) and an above-average ground-ball rate (48.3 percent).
Like many pitchers throughout the league, Rondon has become increasingly
susceptible to home runs across the past two seasons, averaging 1.5 HR/9
despite being extremely stingy in that regard throughout the first three
seasons of his career. His increased vulnerability to the long ball obviously
made the uptick in walks this past season all the more damning, though
metrics like xFIP (3.43) and SIERA (3.20) remained generally bullish on his
abilities.
Houston has already reportedly added to its supply of late-inning arms by
striking a deal for sidearm righty Joe Smith, and Rondon will give them
another option to pair with the likes of Ken Giles, Chris Devenski and Will
Harris in the late innings. Giles, who served as the team’s closer
throughout the season, struggled in the playoffs, though the addition of
Rondon wouldn’t seem to supplant him from that ninth-inning role. If Giles’
struggles carry over into the 2018 campaign, though, Rondon would certainly
be a plausible alternative for manager A.J. Hinch to get the final few outs
of a game, given his extensive experience in Chicago.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the signing on Twitter. Rosenthal (in
a tweet), SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (via Twitter), and Jon Heyman of Fan Rag
(via Twitter) had contract details.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
4. 新闻连结：
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/astros-sign-hector-rondon.html
5. 备注：
1. 太空人以$8.5MM/2YR签下现年29岁的Hector Rondon，明后年薪水分别是$4MM及$4.5MM
，预计是协助分担后段局数的工作。
2. 小熊队在2012年从印地安人以规则五选秀选入Hector Rondon，2014年至2016年一度担
任球队的终结者，去年球季因为投的跌跌撞撞而被调离现职，由从洋基交易过来的Aroldis
Chapman接任。
3. 今年球季是Rondon新人年以来投的最差的一季(4.24 ERA与3.1 BB/9)，球季结束后小熊
也未与他续约而成为自由球员。然而，他也投出生涯新高的10.8 K/9与29.1%的三振率，
直球均速仍是够水准的96.4 mph。
4. 相对于生涯前三年不易挨轰的特性，过去这两个球季他HR/9是1.5；另一方面，虽然他
因为保送过多与长打率过高，常造成大量失分的危机，但就进阶数据来分析，xFIP(3.43
)、SIERA (3.20)都显示出他未来仍大有可为。
5. 明年球季太空人队的牛棚阵容预测：
A. CL：Ken Giles。(文章指出若Giles投的像WS挣扎，Hinch说不定会借重Rondon的经验)
B. SU：Chris Devenski、Will Harris。
C. RP：Joe Smith、Hector Rondon、Michael Feliz、Tony Sipp(L)、Francis Martes
、James Hoyt。
6. Hector Rondon今年球季在小熊队的成绩表现：
ERA HLD SV SVO IP SO HR BB FIP WHIP
4.24 10 0 3 57.1 69 10 20 4.12 1.221