Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow told the Houston Chronicle that reliever Josh Fields earned a place among the team's closer candidates going into next season. Fields was the team's primary closer down the stretch in 2013, and Luhnow said the rookie "did a good job in that role at the end of the year, and I think he clearly deserves a chance to try and maintain that role."
The Astros will also look into free agent closing options, including Jose Veras, who saved 19 games for Houston before getting dealt to the Tigers last July.