ASTROS REPORT
5 important stats that speak volumes about the Astros
Jun 28, 2021, 4:12 pm
ASTROS REPORT
Last week the Astros swept the Orioles and split a series with the Detroit Tigers 2-2.
While in Baltimore, Houston out scored the orange birds by a combined margin of 26-3. The largest run differential of the season against any opponent. The Astros have a +142 run differential this season, the best in baseball by far.
Houston was riding an 11-game winning streak before the start of Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers. Detroit won the first game 3-1 snapping the streak.
Even though their streak ended, the Astros still remain in first place in the American League with a 48-30 record.
Houston's winning ways have come on the heels of great offensive numbers, starting pitchers improving, a much better bullpen, and stellar play from a couple of potential All-Stars.
Seven Astros advanced to the second phase of the MLB All-Star voting process on Sunday.
Houston's entire starting infield (Yuli Gurriel, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman) finished in the top three of their respective positions, along with designated hitter Yordan Alvarez and catcher Martin Maldonado.
Michael Brantley advanced as well, but outfielder Kyle Tucker just missed the cut finishing 10th in fan voting among outfielders in the American League.
Starting pitching has been improving as the season progresses. Jake Odorizzi, Zack Greinke, Jose Urquidy and Lance McCullers all earned wins this week. Houston has been using a 6-man rotation with the aforementioned pitchers and both Luis Garcia and Framber Valdez to round out the rotation. This configuration could work well for the Astros moving forward.
After getting off to a rocky start, the Astros bullpen has been steadily improving over their last couple of games. Over their last 27 games, Houston has the best bullpen ERA at 2.63. Ryan Pressly leads the team with a 1.69 ERA and has become one of the most reliable closers in the league with 12 saves.
Myles Straw has show the most improvement over the last two months. On May 1st, Straw had a .213 batting average and was more or less just trying to prove he belongs on this roster. Now the center fielder has a .270 batting average with 2 home runs and has improved substantially as an outfielder.
Up Next: Houston starts a short three game home stand against the Baltimore Orioles, before a 4-game road trip to Cleveland to face the Indians during 4th of July weekend.
Since the season ended on October 2nd, the Astros have made some offseason moves including signing Christian Walker and trading Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for Isaac Parades, Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith.
One player of note who remains unsigned is Alex Bregman. The All-Star third baseman was reportedly offered a six-year deal from the Astros worth over $150 million earlier in the offseason, ultimately rejected by Bregman and his agent Scott Boras.
With spring training starting in less than a month, it’s safe to say time may be running out for the 30-year-old. With his options getting more limited as the days progress, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to see Bregman return to Houston for the 2025 season.
Astros manager Joe Espada has been open about his willingness to have Bregman return to the team given the right opportunity.
“He has not signed with anyone, so we are still open. Our arms are still open. The door is still open,” Espada said. “There’s always a chance. But right now we are still in conversations with not only him but with other free-agent players, so we’ll see.”
Bregman has been linked to the Tigers and Red Sox this offseason with little to no traction between him and either club.
The Red Sox seem to make the most logical sense to sign the All-Star, and appear to be the front-runner as of late. Former Astros’ bench coach Alex Cora is still Boston’s manager and continues to maintain a good relationship with Bregman, according to reports.
The Red Sox have spent money on players in the past such as Trevor Story and signing Rafael Devers to a long-term extension in recent years, so it would be a move that makes sense for Boston to make.
Bregman could also be a natural fit given his willingness to move positions, essentially shifting him to second base full-time, or Devers moving to first base and Bregman returning to third base.
Although it seems like a good fit on paper, Boston appears to be hesitant to give Bregman the $200 million plus contract he wants.
Similarly to the Red Sox, the Tigers have been linked to the two-time All-Star as well throughout the offseason, but talks have stalled between both parties recently.
With Bregman running low on options as spring training draws near, it may be time for the 30-year-old to consider taking a short-term contract, even though he was initially against this.
Scott Boras is notorious for giving his clients short deals to get back on the free agent market the following season. Last year Blake Snell, Matt Chapman and Jordan Montgomery took short deals with an opt-out after one season. All three players remained unsigned heading into spring training and didn’t sign until just before the start of the regular season.
Bregman may be forced into this kind of deal, which could potentially bring the Astros back into contention to sign their former third baseman.
Although Houston may have secured their corner infield positions with Christian Walker at first base and Isaac Paredes at third, Bregman could still find a role on this team.
The most obvious scenario would be to move Paredes to left field and put the Gold Glove winner back at his natural position, third base.
Another possibility was reported by USA Today's Bob Nightengale on Thursday. He suggested that moving Jose Altuve to left field could be an option if Bregman re-signs with Houston.
The Houston Astros are keeping the door ajar for free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman to return, but are not optimistic. Bregman has serious offers from at least 2 teams.
If the Astros pulled it off, Bregman could stay at 3B, Isaac Paredes move to 2B and Jose Altuve move to LF.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 23, 2025
Bringing Bregman back would give the club more infield depth and give their lineup another reliable bat.
If the Astros could re-sign Bregman to a short-term deal with an opt-out after one season, it could behoove both parties and keep Houston’s championship window open for the foreseeable future.