It was always something of a strange decision, the way the Astros handed out a three-year, $34.5 million contract to relief pitcher Rafael Montero back in the 2022-23 offseason, not long after the team had won the World Series the previous October. Montero had been very good through the previous year (71 appearances, 2.37 ERA), but had been an inconsistent and injury-marred set-up man for most of his career.