MLB insider says Astros dark horse for big bat, clock ticking for Hunter Brown
HOT STOVE
06 January
More moves could be on the horizon for Houston. Composite Getty Image.
Most Astros fans have come to terms with how the team is taking shape for the 2025 season. We've heard reports that the club is looking to avoid the competitive balance tax this year, which means Christian Walker is the only big piece joining Houston through free agency.
But according to a recent report from MLB insider Hector Gomez, the 'Stros may have another big move in the works.
#Astros are the biggest threats for the #BlueJays in Anthony Santander sweepstakes while #Angels have offered similar offer than the Jays. https://t.co/OnX2XBZG9h
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) January 3, 2025
Certainly, signing Anthony Santander would force the Astros to pay the competitive balance tax once again. Something we didn't believe they would entertain. But we all thought the same thing last year until the club shocked the world by signing Josh Hader to a 5-year, $95 million contract.
The fit makes a lot of sense, considering how bad the outfield projects to be this season. And the reported contract offer, is basically the same deal Houston signed Walker to, but with one additional year at about $20 million. So who knows, maybe the Astros have one big move left in them.
Scott Boras strikes again?
The Athletic's Chandler Rome shared some insight on how contract negotiations could play out with Hunter Brown, who's represented by Boras.
Rome made the case that Houston may have already missed the window to strike a deal with Brown, similar to the contract Cristian Javier signed with the club before the 2023 season.
Rome made an interesting point when he said players don't typically hire an agent like Boras just to negotiate a deal that buys up arbitration years.
Which is pretty wild to think about considering Brown only has one good season under his belt. Javier was a more proven player when he inked his extension, and that deal hasn't aged well, with Javier regressing in 2024 before having season-ending Tommy John surgery.
If Rome is correct and Brown is looking to hit the open market, it's not the end of the world. He's under team control for the next four years. However, one thing is for certain, the Astros will be counting on Brown and Javier to anchor this rotation moving forward after Framber Valdez likely leaves after the 2025 season.
If Dana Brown can't strike a deal with Brown, perhaps Yainer Diaz could be an option. He's on the same timeline as Brown when it comes to reaching free agency. Hopefully, he doesn't hire Boras anytime soon.
Finally, why are we still hearing rumblings about Alex Bregman being connected to the Astros? NorthJersey.com's Pete Caldera is predicting Bregman will sign a $175 million deal with the 'Stros.
And what's with this recent post from former Astros front office member Reggie Jackson?
Good Luck Astros with signing Alex Bregman. He’s a very important piece. He’s an Astro thru and thru. He’s a baseball player all the way.
— Reggie Jackson (@mroctober) January 4, 2025
It's technically possible the Astros could bring back Bregman and trade Isaac Paredes, but we're not counting on it.
Plus, we've heard reports about the Astros looking to dump Ryan Pressly's salary. But would the club be better off waiting until the trade deadline to do so?
Don't miss the video above as we break it all down!
Astros starter Hunter Brown had a breakout season in 2024, after struggling mightily in 2023, when he posted an ERA over five. And while that's good news for the team heading into 2025, it could present some challenges when looking at the big picture.
That's because we're already hearing speculation that Brown won't be willing to sign an extension with the Astros, preferring to wait until free agency to entertain any long-term contract offers. Some reports indicate Brown had interest in signing a deal last year, but Houston may have missed their window. It's hard to blame the Astros front office for not offering Brown an extension after a miserable 2023 season, but could this development change how the Astros operate moving forward?
Brown won't be a free agent until 2029, so it's not like he's going anywhere anytime soon. But his hiring of Scott Boras suggests he's not looking to give Houston a hometown discount.
Astros ace Framber Valdez is only one season away from free agency, and based on what the market is telling us, he will likely command a contract in the $200 million range. And while his resume is certainly better than Brown's, he's five years older than Hunter, and has a lower strikeout rate.
So if we're projecting forward, which pitcher has more value? Brown is younger and has incredible upside, but he also only has one good season under his belt. While Framber has been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball since 2020.
Don't miss the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein debate which pitcher has more value, and how that could impact the way the Astros manage their young players moving forward.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
