5 guys I’m looking to take a big step forward next year to keep Houston’s window open: 1. SP Ronel Blanco: in just his 2nd year as a starter he threw 2 no-hit appearances and posted 167 innings of 2.80 era ball. His workload should be built up now and given his age Houston is going to try to get value out of him; 180 innings of sub 3.50 era and emerging as a solid playoff-caliber SP is totally within range and if that happens, Houston can pair him with Hunter Brown at the top of the rotation for 3 more seasons. 2. 1B Zach Dezenzo: He reached the majors in just his 2nd full season despite dealing with a serious injury in preseason and learning a new position when he got called up; his head must’ve been spinning. His exit velos, athleticism, and significant 2024 AAA stats point to an extremely high ceiling. If he settles in at 1B he could be a plus plus defender there with 25+ HR power along with baserunning value. I truly believe if he’d been healthy to start the year and not rushed to the majors, he’d be a firm MLB Top 75 prospect right now. 3. SP Spencer Arrighetti: He appeared to figure it out late in the year, and was a stud in August and September despite being at his career high in innings. In those 2 months he threw 67 k against only 18 k. At this point it’s proven he can strike big league hitters out, it’s just a matter of command and consistency. His projections are not much south of Hunter Brown’s, so a little more development than expected would have him sitting as a solid #3 SP for the next half decade. 4. OF Jacob Melton: As it stands Melton is projected to a slash line similar to Jake Meyers’. It stands to reason that he will get his shot in Houston at some point this season. The Astros have shown a lot of confidence/hope in Melton and 20+ HR, 40+ SB with plus CF defense is well within range for him; that would make him a star level player on par with what George Springer offered the Astros at the beginning of their run. Theres a lot of risk here, but Melton probably offers more hope for being a core player than any other player in the system at this point. 5. IF Brice Matthews: Matthews reached AAA in his first full season, and like Melton offers a very high ceiling combo of power, speed, and defense. All of that came without any major major breakout, and he’s only 22. It’s very possible he can find another level, and either establish himself as a centerpiece in Houston or as a big time prospect poised to be a big part of Houston’s roster starting in 2026.
Not surprised. They need pitching and Burnes was born in California. Honestly they should spend money on him, Kikuchi , Sasaki, Adames and Teo and forget about Soto. But maybe they get Burnes and Soto
Astros downward trend since the '22 World Series continues. The company's product matches the stadium perfectly, but the name is hideous. Astros must win more championships to balance the madness, and soon. .
Having lived through many Augusts in Houston I can not think of a more fitting business than an air conditioner manufacturer to name a stadium there after.
I would throw Baez in there as an after all star break call up. I do think one of Matthews/Melton/Baez will be traded this offseason for an upgrade to the MLB roster.
It's not like it's Mike's A/C and Heating Repair. This is a $30 billion global corporation. I'm not saying I'm crazy about the name (moreso that they're a competitor of mine with some of their products) but this isn't a nothing company.
I fully expect the Astros to have both Framber and Tuck on the opening day roster. I expect them to add 1 $20+M FA bat and at least 1 lesser ($8-15M or 1.5-2 WAR type) but impactful bat and then fill the lineup/bench with cheap veterans and hope. As for the rotation, I think they will add 1 low ceiling/high floor cheap veteran SP to the current roster but not trade any away. I expect Pressly to be traded. I also have no idea how else the bullpen will look outside of Hader, Abreu, and Scott. There is not a lot of difference between the next 6-10 guys IMO but several are out of options which is an issue. What I would do: 1) resign Bregman. The options at 3b are just underwhelming and Alex brings value above and beyond his onfield production. Yes, his contract will be bad towards the end, but not terrible. With his batting eye, glove at a corner (not middle) position, and intangibles (including working with pitchers) the floor would remain pretty high. Close your eyes, hold your nose and offer the extra year and $30M to get it done. 2) Trade some combination of Pressly, Caratini, Chas and/or Meyers, Scott, Whitley, Ort, and Dubin to add some versatility to the roster. The goal is to save money and add controllable players who have options remaining and can either hit right handed pitching or get MLB hitters out. If you can get a SP and/or starting level 1b/LF/CF (even by adding prospects) all the better. Yandy Diaz and/or Brandon Lowe from TB may be a good match here. They are looking to trade those guys, reportedly like Chas, are looking for a veteran catcher, and always want to add controllable length to their roster. 3) Trade Framber. This will be tricky because you can't do it without adding a high level SP to replace him, but if you don't you are going to lose him for nothing but a comp pick (I have a low opinion of comp picks). Framber will command AT LEAST 4yrs and $100M next offseason. I would rather have Kikuchi, even at 4/$80 than giving Framber that or letting him walk for nothing. Kikuchi, Pivetta, Flaherty, and Montas are all likely 4 yrs or less at under $22M AAV. Trading him should bring at least 2 legitimate players - either semi established MLBers w/ 4+ yrs control or top 100 type prospects ready for MLB.
I think Houston doesn't see Baez until at least 2026. Even Yordan spent 100 games in AAA before being called up. They kept him there 56 games as a 22 yr old in 2019 despite completely wrecking the league. Baez won't be 21 until January, and as much as I like him, he's no Yordan.
I don't see keeping a guy who just turned 21 and has exactly 14 games above A ball in the minors as service time manipulation. I call it responsibility.
I just do not care about the corporate manuevering of the Astros management (unless they are being sponsored by private prisons, or something crazy). I want more money for Crane so he will spend it on the team. That's it. I just want them to keep winning.
Baez is not a for sure guy. He has power - but he needs better secondary skills, there are questions about him defensively and some think that he will not even hit enough.
I don't know what the arrangement is...but the Harris County Sports Authority owns the stadium. There has to be some split with the county. That said, I agree with you. Changing the name is not a big deal to me as long as it's not something terrible.
So Gordon was the only player protected. Fangraphs had listed P Miguel Ullola as Rule 5 eligible but that appears to be wrong as he was not listed as eligible by the mlb.com article. He signed at 18 in Jan of 2021 so I’m assuming that means he won’t be eligible until Dec of 2026. Alex Santos represents a significant risk to be taken but probably less than 50/50. Rhett Kouba and Alimber Santa might get a look but I would be surprised if they were chosen. Quincy Hamilton is another guy who is eligible but he hasn’t played well enough to garner consideration.
The Astros pay rent to the county… but they get the revenue for naming rights deals and other events.
Astros opening day roster based on current status and assuming players out of options make the team: 2B Altuve RF Tucker DH Alvarez 3B TBD C Diaz 1B Singleton LF McCormick SS Pena CF Meyers Bench: Dubon, Caratini, Trammell, Hummel Rotation: Framber, Brown, Blanco, Garcia, Arrighetti, McCullers Bullpen: Hader, Pressly, Abreu, Scott, Ort, Dubin, Whitley IL: Javier, Sousa Optioned: Gusto, Gordon, France, King, Contreras, Hernandez, Salazar, Dezenzo, Kessinger, Whitcomb, Leon, Corona I actually think Hummel would make a decent platoon partner with Singleton and Trammell would pair well with McCormick. Assuming the 3B is someone as good as Bregman, I like it. There’s risk in that lineup and it’s certainly top heavy, but it would still be a contending lineup.
Remember the classic definition of "insanity?" Doing the same things and expecting different results.
