Sure...but ask me again in 2 years how much that last spot mattered. I don't think this is a Hidalgo vs Abreu expansion draft situation. eta: and what's always killed me is Tampa turned around and immediately traded Abreu to Philly for.... Kevin Stocker because they wanted a veteran SS
I don't question moves made by the Astros when it comes to pitchers. As long as his arm doesn't fall off, it will be a positive signing.
Latest assessment of Houston’s offseason needs: #2 SP #3 SP Leadoff or 2-hole hitter that can play OF or 2B (preferably LHB) Backup C AAAA SS MLB Top 50 prospect (pipe dream) Resources available: ~$15M in 2026 existing payroll flexibility ~$10M in 2026 non-tenders (Garcia, McCormick, Ort) 3rd tier veteran position players (Christian Walker, Jesus Sanchez, Jake Meyers, Ramon Urias, Mauricio Dubon) Tradeable power/speed/strikeout prospects (Melton, Matthews, Cole, Dezenzo, Sullivan) 2nd/3rd tier minor league pitching depth
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-the-2025-26-free-agent-class-center-field.html The CF free agent market is very weak. I would argue Meyers is as good as Grisham when talking solely about value as a CF. I wouldn’t be opposed to trading Meyers and signing Mullins to a bargain 1 year deal if there’s a team out there that puts a high value on Meyers.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-the-2025-26-free-agent-class-shortstop.html The SS market is also weak. Pena is better than Bichette and there really aren’t likely to be any other everyday caliber SS available. If another team were willing to give up a Tucker level (or more) haul for Pena, I’d be ok with trading him and rolling with Correa at SS and Paredes at 3B. I think 2025 was Peña’s peak. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-the-2025-26-free-agent-class-first-base.html The 1B market is relatively deep and so I think Houston might have a hard time finding a team to take on the majority of Walker’s contract, which means it probably won’t make sense to trade him. At least he showed some signs of life so there’s hope for a rebound. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-the-2025-26-free-agent-class-catcher.html Yainer Diaz would be the 2nd best C available if he were a FA, but I think his value is depressed right now. Hes still pretty young so it’s very possible he could regain some value if he has a good year next season. I don’t consider it very likely that they trade him. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-the-2025-26-free-agent-class-third-base.html Paredes would be the 2nd or 3rd best 3B available depending on how you think he compares to Suarez. There would likely be pretty robust trade interest if Houston made him available but given how much of a match he is for Daikin I think he has more value to the Astros than any other team and I’ll be very surprised if he’s traded. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-the-2025-26-free-agent-class-second-base.html A few players from the 2B free agent list make some sense for Houston. Polanco and Arraez stand out as guys who would balance/extend the lineup and shouldn’t break the bank. I have liked Willi Castro for awhile as a bench piece who plays most days; if Houston trades Dubon, Castro would make sense as a replacement.
Possible that the Tucker-esque haul becomes a one legged third baseman, a spring training all star, and a starter that may never be the same post Tommy John. ...or optimistically, a power hitting third baseman that was built for Daikin, the next coming of Albert Pujols, and this generation's Collin McHugh.
I like to think in the middle... a glorified utility player, trade bait and a fill-in for cash considerations.
That is what they plan to do - they are going to dangle Meyers and see what they can get in return. They won’t give him away but if a team pays the Astros price, he is gone.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025...-a-qualifying-offer-rejecting-free-agent.html Seems like there’s still a lot of uncertainty as to whether Houston went over the CBT. I tend to think they didn’t, since it seems so wasteful to be so close to the threshold and go over. If they were going to go over, it seems like they would have spent more at the deadline. But the Correa deal was complex so it’s possible they got Minnesota to eat a lot of money but that there was just no way to make it work and stay under the tax. It’s meaningful because there’s probably >$10M difference in value between a comp pick after rd 2 and after rd 4.
Seems like they have 4 hitters locked in (Alvarez, Paredes, Correa, and Altuve) and 4 guys they will be opportunistic about shopping (Walker, Pena, Meyers, and Diaz). Going to be an exciting offseason.
There are some stupid takes on this board, but that is the nature of all sports and political forums. People think with their feelings.
A possible addition to the coaching staff? https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/tigers-not-bringing-back-anthony-iapoce.html
I am so discouraged with the free agent list every year. There's a reason why a player is a free agent, either nobody needs them to add to their roster or nobody wants them because their cost is too high. The only good thing free agents do is when you find a diamond in the rough. Someone that is just starting to get it or putting it back together at a low cost. Otherwise, overpaying often times lead to less production than what you were hoping and it hampering the team in the long run. I'm not happy with anyone on this free agent list this year and hope a trade can be made if possible.
Because Meyers could have a high trade value (due to the weak FA market) and might not be any better than Mullins, who might be a buy-low candidate, and who comes with the added benefit of helping balance the lineup since he bats lefthanded. This kind of move carries risk and depends on Dana Brown’s ability to outsmart other teams on free agent signings and trades. But it’s the type of thing Houston needs to be able to do if they’re going to open another window.
Diaz, Walker, Paredes, Altuve. Correa, Pena, Cam Smith, and Yordan are all very likely to be regulars on this team in 2026 if healthy. It leaves the team very right handed and limited to, basically, outfield as the only place to add. Meyers is also, likely to be a regular unless he is traded. Dubon ( most likely) or Urias are the most likely backup infielders - also right handed. Thats 10 of 13 roster spots set. This team needs a left handed outfielder who can be an impact bat at least 4-5 games per week. Jesus Sanchez can't be that guy. Cole and/or Melton need to be given a real chance to earn an Opening day spot. A catcher needs to be added as well and it would be nice if he could hit lefty as well.
I hope they can trade Meyers, I think he simply has hit his ceiling which is 2.5 WAR average bat with no power excellent defense CF. Now that he is 2nd arb season his salary will outstrip his value soon. However, he is still good enough that he needs to be a regular starter if they can't trade him. Cole and/or Melton have potential to be all-stars but there is no way to know without them playing. They are both better options than Mullins, especially for the cost.
