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Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 1 of / 82 Caption Close Image 2 of 82 <b><big><center>Emilo Bonifacio, CF <b><big><center>Emilo Bonifacio, CF Photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Image 3 of 82 <b><big><center>Billy Butler, DH <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $30 million deal with A's. <b><big><center>Billy Butler, DH <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $30 million deal with A's. Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 4 of 82 <b><big><center>Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B <b><big><center>Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Image 5 of 82 Image 6 of 82 <b><big><center>Melky Cabrera, LF <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $42 million deal with White Sox. <b><big><center>Melky Cabrera, LF <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $42 million deal with White Sox. Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Image 7 of 82 <b><big><center>Alberto Callaspo, 2B <b><big><center>Alberto Callaspo, 2B Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 8 of 82 <b><big><center>Joba Chamberlain, RP <b><big><center>Joba Chamberlain, RP Photo: Mark Cunningham / Getty Images Image 9 of 82 <b><big><center>Phil Coke, RP <b><big><center>Phil Coke, RP Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Image 10 of 82 Image 11 of 82 <b><big><center>Kevin Correia, RP <b><big><center>Kevin Correia, RP Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images Image 12 of 82 <b><big><center>Neal Cotts, RP <b><big><center>Neal Cotts, RP Photo: Rick Yeatts / Getty Images Image 13 of 82 <b><big><center>Nelson Cruz, DH <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $57 million deal with Mariners. <b><big><center>Nelson Cruz, DH <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $57 million deal with Mariners. Photo: Leon Halip / Getty Images Image 14 of 82 <b><big><center>Michael Cuddyer, RF <b><big><center>Michael Cuddyer, RF Photo: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images Image 15 of 82 Image 16 of 82 <b><big><center>Ryan Dempster, SP <b><big><center>Ryan Dempster, SP Photo: Brad Mangin / MLB Photos via Getty Images Image 17 of 82 <b><big><center>JStephen Drew, SS/2B <b><big><center>JStephen Drew, SS/2B Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Image 18 of 82 <b><big><center>Mark Ellis, 2B <b><big><center>Mark Ellis, 2B Photo: Jason O. Watson / Getty Images Image 19 of 82 <b><big><center>Gavin Floyd, SP <b><big><center>Gavin Floyd, SP Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Image 20 of 82 Image 21 of 82 <b><big><center>Rafael Furcal, 2B <b><big><center>Rafael Furcal, 2B Photo: Rob Foldy / Getty Images Image 22 of 82 <b><big><center>Jason Giambi, DH <b><big><center>Jason Giambi, DH Photo: Bob Levey / Getty Images Image 23 of 82 <b><big><center>Tom Gorzelanny, RP <b><big><center>Tom Gorzelanny, RP Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Image 24 of 82 <b><big><center>Luke Gregerson, RP <b><big><center>Luke Gregerson, RP Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 25 of 82 Image 26 of 82 <b><big><center>Jason Grilli, RP <b><big><center>Jason Grilli, RP Photo: Matt Brown / Getty Images Image 27 of 82 <b><big><center>Jason Hammel, SP <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $20 million deal with Cubs. <b><big><center>Jason Hammel, SP <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $20 million deal with Cubs. Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images Image 28 of 82 <b><big><center>Joel Hanrahan, RP <b><big><center>Joel Hanrahan, RP Photo: Michael Ivins/Boston Red Sox / Getty Images Image 29 of 82 <b><big><center>Chase Headley, 3B <b><big><center>Chase Headley, 3B Photo: A Marlin / Getty Images Image 30 of 82 Image 31 of 82 <b><big><center>Luke Hochevar, RP <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $10 million deal with Royals. <b><big><center>Luke Hochevar, RP <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $10 million deal with Royals. Photo: Brian D. Kersey / Getty Images Image 32 of 82 <b><big><center>Torii Hunter, RF <h3></h3> Signed 1-year, $10.5 million deal with Twins. <b><big><center>Torii Hunter, RF <h3></h3> Signed 1-year, $10.5 million deal with Twins. Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Image 33 of 82 <b><big><center>Raul Ibanez, RF <b><big><center>Raul Ibanez, RF Photo: Tim Umphrey / Getty Images Image 34 of 82 <b><big><center>Casey Janssen, RP <b><big><center>Casey Janssen, RP Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Image 35 of 82 Image 36 of 82 <b><big><center>JJim Johnson, RP <h3></h3> Signed 1-year, $1.6 million deal with Braves. <b><big><center>JJim Johnson, RP <h3></h3> Signed 1-year, $1.6 million deal with Braves. Photo: Ed Zurga / Getty Images Image 37 of 82 <b><big><center>Josh Johnson, SP <b><big><center>Josh Johnson, SP Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Image 38 of 82 <b><big><center>JKyle Kendrick, SP <b><big><center>JKyle Kendrick, SP Photo: Rob Foldy / Getty Images Image 39 of 82 <b><big><center>Hiroki Kuroda, SP <b><big><center>Hiroki Kuroda, SP Photo: Elsa / Getty Images Image 40 of 82 Image 41 of 82 <b><big><center>Gerald Laird, C <b><big><center>Gerald Laird, C Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Image 42 of 82 <b><big><center>Adam LaRoche, 1B <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $25 million deal with White Sox. <b><big><center>Adam LaRoche, 1B <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $25 million deal with White Sox. Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Image 43 of 82 <b><big><center>Jon Lester, SP <h3></h3> Signed 6-year, $155 million deal with Cubs. <b><big><center>Jon Lester, SP <h3></h3> Signed 6-year, $155 million deal with Cubs. Photo: Ed Zurga / Getty Images Image 44 of 82 <b><big><center>Matt Lindstrom, RP <b><big><center>Matt Lindstrom, RP Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Image 45 of 82 Image 46 of 82 <b><big><center>Francisco Liriano, SP <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $39 million deal with Pirates. <b><big><center>Francisco Liriano, SP <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $39 million deal with Pirates. Photo: John Sommers II / Getty Images Image 47 of 82 <b><big><center>Paul Maholm, RP <b><big><center>Paul Maholm, RP Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images Image 48 of 82 <b><big><center>Nick Markakis, RF <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $44 million deal with Braves. <b><big><center>Nick Markakis, RF <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $44 million deal with Braves. Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Image 49 of 82 <b><big><center>Russell Martin, C <h3></h3> Signed 5-year, $82 million deal with Blue Jays <b><big><center>Russell Martin, C <h3></h3> Signed 5-year, $82 million deal with Blue Jays Photo: George Gojkovich / Getty Images Image 50 of 82 Image 51 of 82 <b><big><center>Victor Martinez, DH <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $68 million deal with Tigers. <b><big><center>Victor Martinez, DH <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $68 million deal with Tigers. Photo: Leon Halip / Getty Images Image 52 of 82 <b><big><center>Justin Masterson, SP <b><big><center>Justin Masterson, SP Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Image 53 of 82 <b><big><center>Daisuke Matsuzaka, RP <b><big><center>Daisuke Matsuzaka, RP Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Image 54 of 82 <b><big><center>Brandon McCarthy, SP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $48 million deal with Dodgers. <b><big><center>Brandon McCarthy, SP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $48 million deal with Dodgers. Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images Image 55 of 82 Image 56 of 82 <b><big><center>JAndrew Miller, RP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $36 million deal with Yankees. <b><big><center>JAndrew Miller, RP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $36 million deal with Yankees. Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Image 57 of 82 <b><big><center>Michael Morse, LF <b><big><center>Michael Morse, LF Photo: Ron Vesely / MLB Photos via Getty Images Image 58 of 82 <b><big><center>Jason Motte, RP <b><big><center>Jason Motte, RP Photo: Michael B. Thomas / Getty Images Image 59 of 82 <b><big><center>Jake Peavy, SP <b><big><center>Jake Peavy, SP Photo: Ron Vesely / MLB Photos via Getty Images Image 60 of 82 Image 61 of 82 <b><big><center>A.J. Pierzynski, C <b><big><center>A.J. Pierzynski, C Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 62 of 82 <b><big><center>Humberto Quintero, C <b><big><center>Humberto Quintero, C Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images Image 63 of 82 <b><big><center>Hanley Ramirez, SS <h3></h3> Signed 4-year $88 million deal with Red Sox. <b><big><center>Hanley Ramirez, SS <h3></h3> Signed 4-year $88 million deal with Red Sox. Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Image 64 of 82 <b><big><center>Mark Reynolds, 1B <b><big><center>Mark Reynolds, 1B Photo: Denis Poroy / Getty Images Image 65 of 82 Image 66 of 82 <b><big><center>Alex Rios, RF <b><big><center>Alex Rios, RF Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images Image 67 of 82 <b><big><center>David Robertson, RP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $46 million deal with White Sox. <b><big><center>David Robertson, RP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $46 million deal with White Sox. Photo: Rob Carr / Getty Images Image 68 of 82 <b><big><center>Francisco Rodriguez, RP <b><big><center>Francisco Rodriguez, RP Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Image 69 of 82 <b><big><center>Sergio Romo, RP <b><big><center>Sergio Romo, RP Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 70 of 82 Image 71 of 82 <b><big><center>Pablo Sandoval, 3B <h3></h3> Signed 5-year $95 million with Red Sox. <b><big><center>Pablo Sandoval, 3B <h3></h3> Signed 5-year $95 million with Red Sox. Photo: Elsa / Getty Images Image 72 of 82 <b><big><center>Ervin Santana, SP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $54 million deal with Twins. <b><big><center>Ervin Santana, SP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $54 million deal with Twins. Photo: Kevin Liles / Getty Images Image 73 of 82 <b><big><center>Johan Santana, SP <b><big><center>Johan Santana, SP Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Image 74 of 82 <b><big><center>Max Scherzer, SP <b><big><center>Max Scherzer, SP Photo: Mark Cunningham / Getty Images Image 75 of 82 Image 76 of 82 <b><big><center>JJames Shields, SP <b><big><center>JJames Shields, SP Photo: Brad Mangin / MLB Photos via Getty Images Image 77 of 82 <b><big><center>Rafael Soriano, RP <b><big><center>Rafael Soriano, RP Photo: Mike Zarrilli / Getty Images Image 78 of 82 <b><big><center>Ichiro Suzuki, RF <b><big><center>Ichiro Suzuki, RF Photo: Elsa / Getty Images Image 79 of 82 <b><big><center>Ryan Vogelsong, SP <b><big><center>Ryan Vogelsong, SP Photo: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Image 80 of 82 Image 81 of 82 <b><big><center>Edinson Volquez, SP <b><big><center>Edinson Volquez, SP Photo: Jason Miller / Getty Images Image 82 of 82 Astros likely out of the running for free-agent reliever Andrew Miller 1 / 82 Back to Gallery

The amount of chatter surrounding the Astros’ pursuit of a top closer doesn’t line up with the likelihood they actually land one.

The goal is to improve the bullpen, and that can be done without adding a sure-fire closer such as David Robertson or Andrew Miller. They would love either of those pitchers. But there isn’t a mandate for the team to sign a ninth-inning guy.

Miller in particular appears out of the Astros’ reach. The lefty reliever with amazing strikeout numbers could make a decision this week, but the Astros are not expected to be the team that lands him, a person familiar with the situation said.

That doesn’t mean the team has not reached out to Miller or Robertson (it has), or doesn’t have interest in those pitchers (it does). CBSSports.com reported another reliever, Sergio Romo, to be a possibility for the ‘Stros.

“I haven’t given it a ton of thought exactly until the personnel department’s done,” manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday when asked if adding a closer was a necessity.

“There’s been talking about adding a closer — obviously, Chad Qualls has closing experience. We’ve got a lot of time to make a decision. I’d say time will tell.”

Hinch and all of his coaching staff aside from first-base coach Rich Dauer is in Houston this week, in part to foster bonding amongst the staff, in part to plan for the season. Dauer’s recovering from knee surgery and was unable to travel.

General manager Jeff Luhnow and assistant general manager David Stearns control roster moves, but Hinch’s experience in the front office both with the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks makes him more valuable than most other managers this time of year.

“The front office is definitely in charge of the player personnel part, and then my job kicks into gear on the field,” Hinch said. “I don’t think Jeff has created a structure where this is a strict, I-can’t-have-opinion-on-personnel (situation) and things like that. … My background would probably tell you that I’m a little more involved than most.”

Hinch, who along with staffers sat courtside at the Rockets game Wednesday night, knows what the talk on the street is.

“I think the bullpen has been the most notable (area), where a lot of people have fired our name into the rumor mill,” he said. “I think it’s good, I think it’s interesting. You know, blown leads are one of the quickest ways to demoralize a team. So it’s an area I think where it — it’s the most volatile position on the field.

“You could almost bring back the same back bullpen and you won’t get the same exact performance. I would say the bullpen’s a point of emphasis, but again, those have to naturally evolve over the offseason. And I know Jeff’s turned over every rock trying to figure out the right combo.”

Hinch was firm about the impact blown saves have on a club’s spirit.

The Astros had 25 in 2014, one fewer than the major league leading Colorado Rockies. The ‘Stros had 29 the year before, tied for most in the majors. From 2012-14, the Astros’ 73 blown saves are the most.

evan.drellich@chron.com

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