The Astros overcame a slow start to pull away with another division title. They weren't able to extend their remarkable streak of seven consecutive trips to the AL Championship Series, as the red-hot Tigers swept them at Minute Maid Park. The attention immediately turns to the potential loss of their longtime third baseman.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Jose Altuve, 2B: $110MM through 2029
- Yordan Alvarez, DH: $93MM through 2028
- Josh Hader, LHP: $76MM through 2028
- Cristian Javier, RHP: $52MM through 2027
- Lance McCullers Jr., RHP: $34MM through 2026
- Ryan Pressly, RHP: $14MM through 2025
- Rafael Montero, RHP (no longer on 40-man roster): $11.5MM through 2025
- Victor Caratini, C: $6MM through 2025
Additional financial commitments
- Owe released first baseman José Abreu $19.5MM through 2025
2025 financial commitments: $142MM
Total future commitments: $416MM
Option Decisions
- RHP Ryan Pressly vested $14MM option by reaching 110 appearances between 2023-24
Arbitration-Eligible Players (projections via Matt Swartz)
- Framber Valdez (5.163): $17.8MM
- Kyle Tucker (5.079): $15.8MM
- José Urquidy (5.049): $3.75MM
- Mauricio Dubón (4.162): $4.6MM
- Luis Garcia (4.083): $1.875MM
- Bryan Abreu (4.022): $3.7MM
- Chas McCormick (4.000): $3.3MM
- Jake Meyers (3.044): $2.2MM
- Jeremy Peña (3.000): $4.4MM
- Penn Murfee (2.169): $800K
Non-tender candidates: Urquidy, McCormick, Murfee
Free Agents
- Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander, Yusei Kikuchi, Caleb Ferguson, Ben Gamel, Héctor Neris, Jason Heyward, Kendall Graveman
The Astros remain firmly in win-now mode but are facing the potential free agent departure of a core player. That's a situation they've successfully navigated before. Houston has allowed Carlos Correa and George Springer to walk without taking a step back. Are they prepared to do the same with Alex Bregman?
That's the biggest question of Houston's offseason. General manager Dana Brown has said time and again that he hopes to keep Bregman. Multiple Astros players have gone on record talking about his importance both on the field and in the clubhouse. The financial picture doesn't point toward a reunion being likely, though.
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Chicken In Philly?
I could definitely see the Astros pursuing Goldschmidt. I do wonder how much teams will be willing to splurge on Bregman; if nothing else, the Astros will at least wait out the market on him.
texgal01
Goldschmidt, really
hiflew
Good third baseman are not really in short supply right now. There was a time when if you got a good one at the hot corner, you had a huge advantage over other team. Like the Phillies with Mike Schmidt or the Orioles with Brooks Robinson. But now there are no third basemen that are head and shoulders above the rest, but there are many third basemen that are more than good enough to be starters.
I’m pretty sure they could get Arenado from St Louis for cheap as the Cards seem ready to turn the page. If they want to go younger, It’s possible they could get Ryan McMahon or KeBryan Hayes in a trade. The Orioles also seem to have an abundance of infielders, perhaps could pick one of the guys left without a chair there like Ramon Urias. If they are interested in a bounceback FA, there is Yoan Moncada or Gio Urshela on the market.
Sure none of those guys are quite Bregman, but the step down is not really THAT bad dollar for dollar. They could use the savings to re-sign Kikuchi and perhaps another SP. That would help them remain on top far more than resigning Bregman would.
thickiedon
What would it take to acquire Arenado? St. Louis could embark on a youth movement this offseason. Would Cards take on a quarter of remaining contract? Arenado fills the need at 3B next year allowing Matthews time to develop and for 2026-26 Arenado slides to 1B?
metsin4
Why not just sign your homegrown talent that has helped get you to the postseason every year if you want to pay that much for a 3b?