FA SWERVE!
How Astros could be on verge of biggest free agent swerve of the offseason
Jan 27, 2025, 5:10 pm
Are more Breggy bombs on the horizon in H-Town? Composite Getty Image.
Just when we thought free agency couldn't get any wilder, this happens! Astros GM Dana Brown spoke to the media over the weekend and kept the door cracked for a possible Alex Bregman return.
Then Jose Altuve volunteered to switch positions and head to left field if the club is able to secure a reunion with Breggy. And that's not all, the Astros traded Ryan Pressly to the Cubs on Sunday, which gave the 'Stros $8.5 million of salary relief.
A move that has the club now under the first tax threshold, something owner Jim Crane has reportedly been in favor of.
Now the ball is in Bregman's court. If the club signs Bregman, they will exceed the first tax threshold, but not the second one. It appears Crane would only consider a move like this for a franchise favorite like Breggy.
And while bringing back Bregman would give the offense a boost, there are legitimate concerns about what this would mean for the defense. Altuve's lack of experience and arm strength in the outfield can't be ignored.
But considering Altuve's decline at second base, a change of position could have been necessary at some point anyway.
A bit of caution
At the end of the day, we have to accept the possibility that this is all a negotiating tactic from agent Scott Boras to regain leverage against other teams looking to sign Bregman.
On the mend
Astros GM Dana Brown shared positive updates on Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers. They won't be ready to start the season, but if they continue progressing, the club expects them back shortly after the season begins.
While it's fair to be skeptical about McCullers, who hasn't pitched for Houston since 2022, he does possess serious upside if he can finally get healthy. Keep in mind, he's pitched well throughout his career. It's the injuries that have held him back.
How much will they miss Pressly?
Make no mistake about it, Pressly was one of three rock solid options in the bullpen. Now that he's gone, who will fill his shoes? Tayler Scott was surprisingly great in 2024, but can he repeat that success again?
Don't miss the video above as the crew from Stone Cold 'Stros breaks it all down!
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.