Last 3-4 FA deals have been more reasonable. We might be entering the phase where prices come down as players get anxious.
How's the grocery prices in Houston? Apparently he was in LA and was shocked at the prices in America (yes, it was in LA. Isn't lots of things more expensive? Also, yes, compared to Japan. Groceries will seem more expensive). Apparently hasn't gotten any real offers yet. Window is closing soon. I'm sure he'll get some soon but if Astros think he's capable, why not offer him a contract.
Hard to say. You never know how Japanese pitchers will do once they come to the MLB. Yamamoto turned out well but Sasaki struggled. If the coaches feel he can be, why not. But if they're unsure then I guess not worth risk.
Just a WAG on my part but the MLB FOs with money to spend may have their doubts wrt Imai ... or he would be signed by now ... but WTF do I know
The Astros will never be in the mix in FA for the sure-things, so if they want to get people at the price points they want to pay, they have to take risks. Also, many of the top free agents haven't been signed yet, so teams in the mix for those may be keeping their money free for that. That said, the Astros seem to be good at identifying the pitchers they think they can improve. I don't know that they are great on the hitting side but they seem to know what they are doing on the pitching side when it comes to acquiring players.
All I wanted for Christmas was a corner OF that could hit RH pitching and a number 2 SP. Guess I was naughty. So now I'll pass that to FO as a New Year's resolution. I'm not asking for for all stars. (OK, maybe the pitcher).
Circling back on my offseason checklist: 1. SP who can start Game 2 of a playoff series: NOT ADDRESSED 2. LHH OF who can hit in the top 5 of a contending lineup: NOT ADDRESSED 3. SP who can capably give 130+ big league innings: ADRESSED (Mike Burrows and Ryan Weiss) 4. Backup C: PARTIALLY ADDRESSED (Carlos Perez added on minor league deal) 5. RH 7th inning RP: PARTIALLY ADDRESSED (Nate Pearson, Roddery Munoz, and Ryan Weiss) 6-7. 2 Top 100 Prospects to improve the farm system and long term organizational outlook: NOT ADDRESSED (in fact this issue got worse as they traded away 2 fringe Top 100 prospects in Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito) With $20M in payroll flexibility, an extra starting caliber big league infielder, Jake Meyers, and some young pitchers they can afford to trade, it feels like they should be able to address their 2 biggest needs, although based on the market so far they may be with underwhelming options. The next 3-4 weeks should be exciting.
The Astros for the 7th Inning (and earlier innings) do have the following returning: Steven Okert Bryan King Bennett Sousa Kaleb Ort In addition to offseason additions: Nate Pearson Roddery Munoz (Rule 5 draftee) Obviously for these two, they will have to earn their spot, with maybe Ort being the weakest from the first list. I currently have Ryan Weiss in my starting 6 man rotation, which is subject to change when the Astros trade for their SP2 (one can hope). ETA: I forgot to add Enyel De Los Santos to my first list. He has not impressed me, but if the pitching coaches like what they see ...
Yep, addressing the bullpen was a luxury going into the offseason and I’m fine with what they’ve done. I am surprised we keep seeing comments from the GM that they are still looking to potentially add to the bullpen; that makes me think that they might be possibly shopping Bryan Abreu, or there is an undisclosed injury to Hader or Abreu. In my opinion the bullpen might be the strongest unit on the team. They return 5 guys who all had an era of 3.01 or lower and threw >50 innings. You add in Pearson and Munoz, 2 guys with elite stuff (but mixed top line results) and that’s 7 guys who all have very good reason to believe they will be very successful.
I have to admit that I do not track the Astros bullpen arms as they come and go. Each offseason, one or two new arms show up; some work out, some don't. At the strat of last season I was wondering wtf these guys were (and if I was not paying attention when they got added): Steven Okert Bryan King Bennett Sousa Kaleb Ort King, Okert and Sousa were super solid in 2025 and dare I say locks for the 2026 Astros.
Pickings are very slim on that one. O’Hearn and Polanco were 2 of the only free agents who fit the bill. Assuming Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger are out of Houston’s price range, there’s not really any other options. If Luis Arraez can play LF he would fit offensively. If Houston cheaps out then Mike Tauchman, Willi Castro, Michael Conforto, Max Kepler, Jesse Winker, Lamont Wade, Alex Verdugo, and Dominic Smith are free agent lefty bats who can play LF. Tauchman is the one I would go after. On the trade front, Sal Frelick, Wilyer Abreu, Matt Wallner, Dylan Beavers, Josh Lowe, Mickey Moniak, Jarren Duran, TJ Friedl, Jake McCarthy, Alek Thomas, Lars Nootbaar, Steven Kwan, Alex Burleson, and Trevor Larnach are all lefty OF who might be available.
What would Kwan cost? I would give up the farm + Meyers/Smith for Kwan and then go all-in and sign Suarez. Figure out center field with the leftovers.
Bring him home: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...nthony-rendon-agree-restructure-rest-contract The Los Angeles Angels and Anthony Rendon have agreed to restructure the remainder of his contract, essentially ending the All-Star third baseman's problematic tenure with the team, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Rendon was scheduled to be paid $38 million in 2026, the final season of a seven-year, $245 million contract he signed after starring for a Washington Nationals team that won the World Series in 2019.
The GM routinely says random things to the media that aren't really true. I wouldn't read too much into it.
Kwan projects to put up ~7 war for ~$20M over the next 2 seasons. Meyers projects for ~4 war for ~$9M over the next 2 seasons. Houston would need to some up with ~$30M in surplus value to add to Meyers to make that swap make sense imho. Meyers and Smith for Kwan would be a really good deal for Cleveland but I think it’s close to what they’d demand. The Astros would be fools to give up more than that.
They currently have like $24,000,000 (based on what I have heard but they can free up another $6,500,000 by dealing Sanchez and another $4,500,000 if they move Meyers. Of course that doesn't count any money added in a deal of Sanchez or Meyers. I think that they can get over $30,000,000 in space if they decide that they need the money. They ideally would like to trade for either a #2 or a corner outfielder. No one has told me this - but it seems that if they do not have the money or prospects to get an outfield bat, after getting a #2 starter - they will use Sanchez and see if he hits more like he has in the past. His plate discipline and demeanor are concerns, but he has a lot of talent as a hitter. I will be curious to see if they try to get Giolitto on a smaller deal - or if they bite the bullet and pay for Valdez, Suarez or Gallen and lose a draft pick.
