For much of the offseason, the focus surrounding the Astros was how they'd improve their rotation and general starting pitching depth. It was an understandable qualm. Framber Valdez became a free agent, and while he's still lingering on the market, a reunion with Houston never felt all that likely, given the contract he'll likely command and the team's aversion to long-term deals of that magnitude. Hayden Wesneski had Tommy John surgery late last May. Ronel Blanco followed a couple weeks later. Lefty Brandon Walter was an out-of-the-blue success story ... at least until he also underwent Tommy John surgery -- his in mid-September.
The 'Stros have done well to bolster the starting staff. Their surprise deal with NPB star Tatsuya Imai gives them a potential high-end arm to replace Valdez. A trade acquisition of Pittsburgh righty Mike Burrows plugged a young, controllable arm into the fourth spot on the staff. Cheap rolls of the dice on former top prospect Nate Pearson and former D-backs/Royals farmhand Ryan Weiss, who's coming back over after a terrific two years in the Korea Baseball Organization, added some depth.
A six-man group consisting of Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, Imai, Burrows, Weiss and Lance McCullers Jr. could be solid -- particularly if McCullers can be even serviceable. Depth arms abound. Spencer Arrighetti, J.P. France, AJ Blubaugh, Colton Gordon, Jason Alexander and Miguel Ullola are all on the 40-man roster and all have minor league options remaining. Twenty-three-year-old Ethan Pecko had a nice season between Double-A and Triple-A last season and could get a look in 2026.
There are still clearly some question marks, but the Astros added an intriguing young arm (Burrows), a high-upside international star (Imai) and an under-the-radar 29-year-old coming off a big KBO showing (Weiss). Things look much better than they did a few months back.
The same can't be said in the outfield. To this point in the offseason, the biggest move the Astros have made, outfield-wise, is non-tendering Chas McCormick. Unless the Astros plan to use Yordan Alvarez in left field on the regular -- which is very unlikely to be the case -- it's easy to argue that they don't have even one everyday outfielder who can be confidently projected as a league-average hitter.
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It’s actually baffling how Yordan Alvarez still plays the outfield. Why isn’t this guy the full time DH?
He prefers playing LF, and actually hits better when he does.
He plays left field a few times, but mostly a DH. You don’t have to think over your AB’s when you play a position, but do when you are a DH.
He’s better at LF than Altuve is and unless they trade somone it’s either him or Altuve. He also hits better when playing LF.
I need to get the MLB Front Office Subscription soon. However, I bet what the article states is exactly what is in the Crush City Territory Podcast. I listen to Crush City Territory a lot, and they are looking to add a left handed hitting outfielder. I see Wilyer Abreu as the best fit, but what does the Red Sox want? Harrison Bader is an option if Meyers is traded, I won’t count out a Jarren Duran trade despite the astronomical cost. There’s not many other options. We do have guys like Lucas Spence and Joseph Sullivan, but both are in AA and would be more like 2027 contibuters. Hopefully Zach Cole can do what he did, Cam Smith develops, and Jesus Sanchez magically learns how to play baseball again.
Also, I feel like Yahoo Sports is going to duplicate this.
I think the Red Sox would be willing to deal Duran or Abreu plus a SP for Pena.
I saw a mock trade sending Duran, Early, Arias, and Sandlin for Pena. That’s what I would want from Pena.
fansided.com/mlb/this-outlandish-red-sox-astros-tr…
If Pena had more than two years of team control left and wasn’t Boras client, I’d agree with you.
Agreed. Peña would take way more than just Duran or Abreu and a starter.
Im in tears…. Laughing
Moving Pena is a rebuilding move. Astros are not quite there yet. Maybe if they have a poor 1st half, the Astros will consider moving Pena.
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What do you want. I would be okay with Trevor Larnach just by looking at basic stats. If there are more advanced stats that would scare me, tell me.
Doesn’t hit lefties well, indifferent but not bad fielder, decent guy, just really redundant on this roster, especially with the youngster OFs on the verge of needing to play. And he costs $4.7m that we could really use elsewhere. A decent bullpen arm and he’s yours.
No thanks. Redundant.
Why not stick Paredes in LF?
Plant the grass and water it.
Wow. Seriously delusional. Talk about homerism.
WOULD YOU LIKE A NICE NICK CASTELLANOS FOR JUST $3 MILLION???
Or Andrew Benintendi + half his salary?
Got get Brendan Donovan. He can handle left field – especially at that Wiffleball stadium – and backup everywhere else.
Stros not exactly teeming with trade assets, especially if they’re not trading from their big league roster. Red Sox and Mariners have probably long since outbid them for the Donovans of the world.
They’re gonna have to shoot a little lower. Why not a Mickey Moniak? Can play all three OF positions (none well, but you get what you pay for). Knows the division. Hits the snot out of RHP. Platoon him with Cam and maybe there’s something there. He’s more than available as the Rockies want to give PA’s to their kids, finally.