Major Astros shifts flying under radar with new-look defense, intriguing pitching infusion
STONE COLD 'STROS
06 February
A lot to unpack here! Composite Getty Image.
Following the Astros meeting with the media on Tuesday, where GM Dana Brown made it seem like the team had already moved on from Alex Bregman, we received some interesting news on the free agency front.
Pete Alonso (who shares the same agent as Bregman) agreed to a much shorter contract than many expected. Alonso elected to return to the Mets on a two-year prove-it deal.
Which had many wondering if Bregman would do something similar. However, Bob Nightengale reported that despite the Alonso news, Bregman is still seeking a six or seven-year contract.
Which is curious because the only reported offer of six years, has come from the Astros. We're also hearing that the Cubs are very interested in Bregman, but aren't looking to commit to more than four years, with opt-outs.
If Bregman is indeed considering betting on himself and looking to take another stab at free agency in 2026, the Cubs sound like a poor choice.
ESPN's “Hembo” made a convincing case that a right-handed hitter specializing in hitting doubles couldn't play in a worse ballpark than Wrigley Field, according to Baseball Savant. Bregman no longer has the fly ball potency he once had, and Wrigley doesn't have a short porch in left field like in Houston.
According to the analytics, Bregman would be way better served playing in Toronto or Boston. Two environments much better suited for his swing if he's looking to boost his value for 2026.
Altuve playing the field
Although the Astros didn’t sign any infielders in free agency, it seems they still plan to have him log some time in left field. Which got me thinking. Perhaps the Astros would like to use Mauricio Dubon at second base when their two elite ground ball pitchers (Framer Valdez, Hunter Brown) are taking the hill. This would keep Altuve and Yordan Alvarez's bats in the lineup, with a better defensive option at second base.
Outfield depth acquired
We certainly don't expect to see Altuve play exclusively in left field, so they had to add to the position. This week, Houston decided to bring Ben Gamel back on a one-year deal.
Pitching infusion
GM Dana Brown shared an update on the health of Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia this week, and was very excited about the progress McCullers is making, now throwing off a mound and touching 90mph.
Manager Joe Espada said he didn't want to commit on what role McCullers would have, leaving the door open for him to be used out of the bullpen.
Which caught our attention, as it sounds a little scary asking McCullers to quickly warmup, and enter a game in relief considering his history of arm issues.
We feel it's more likely they wouldn't ask him to come in with traffic on the bases. Perhaps he would be used to piggyback a starter for a couple of innings. Which would allow them to let him know ahead of time how he would be used that day. Thus, giving him ample time to get loose.
The news about Garcia wasn't nearly as positive, he's still throwing off flat ground, with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in a week.
The team is also not ruling out the return of Cristian Javier late in the season, after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024. But that seems a little over ambitious to us based on how slowly McCullers and Garcia have taken to heal.
We believe it's more likely the Astros are planning on letting Framber Valdez walk in free agency, and banking on Hunter Brown and Javier to be the two-headed monster at the top of the rotation in 2026. Rushing Javier back, who they've already paid big money to, doesn't sound like a wise move when looking at the big picture.
This is one video you don't want to miss as we discuss the latest Bregman developments, Altuve playing left field several times a week, what a healthy McCullers would mean for the rotation, and much more!
*Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!
- It’s the first place Houston Astros against the first place Los Angeles Dodgers as they open their latest head-to-head series. This is not a recording. The two most dominant powers in the sport over the last decade gather at Dodger Stadium this Independence Day weekend. The Astros have a sizable lead in pursuit of their eighth American League West championship in the last nine years. The Dodgers have an even more sizable lead as they chase their fourth straight National League West crown, which would be their 12th in 13 years. Each franchise has won two World Series in that time frame, each has lost two. All Astro and Dodger parties would sign off immediately on a 2025 World Series matchup. This three-game set carries no big picture significance, but every game counts, and it’s just fun seeing these two get after it. It would be more fun if the Astros had Yordan Alvarez available. Then again, the Dodgers won’t have Josh Fields.
Both continue to roll along despite rashes of injuries. When the Astros awoke May 24 their record sat at 26-25. Since then they have gone 26-10. That is a dominant stretch despite this clearly not being a dominant team. The still Alvarez-less offense is mediocre. So is the starting pitching apart from the one-two awesome punch that Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez have been. When Brown or Valdez has been the Astros’ starting pitcher this season, the team record is 25-9. With anyone else making the start, 27-26. They have been every bit as dynamic a duo so far in 2025 that Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole were for the Astros in 2019 when Verlander edged out Cole to win his third Cy Young Award. Brown is a lock to be named to his first American League All-Star team this Sunday. Valdez is worthy of a third consecutive selection but could get caught in a numbers squeeze. Eight or nine starting pitchers are picked for each league.
The Dodgers won’t face Brown this weekend, but will have to deal with Valdez on Saturday night. His mound counterpart will be Shohei Ohtani. Oooooooh! Framber didn’t give up a run in 13 innings over his last two starts, and over his last 10 outings has a super-spiffy 1.72 earned run average. The amazing Ohtani is easing back into pitching after his second Tommy John surgery. Ohtani has started three games, totaling just four innings. He has yet to throw 30 pitches in an outing. Saturday he probably will be allowed 30 to 40.
Arms race
While Friday’s outing isn’t remotely a make or break start for Lance McCullers, it does speak to a significant question the Astros hope to find a pleasing answer to over the remainder of the regular season. Who is their third starting pitcher in a playoff series? After Brown and Valdez there is simply no one who inspires confidence at this point. McCullers has been awful his last two times out, jacking up his ERA to 6.61 eight starts into his season. 20 walks issued in 32 2 /3 innings pitched is glaringly bad. McCullers is still reasonably in ramp up mode, but given his injury history along with performance concerns, the third starter spot can’t be considered his to lose. Spencer Arrighetti’s resume is thin but his return at the level he pitched at after the All-Star break last season would be massive. Colt Gordon and Brandon Walter have both done some nice fill-in work, but no one plausibly wants them starting what would be a do or die game if the Astros wind up in a game three of a best-of-three Wild Card series.
Historic achievement
Not as if it’s subplot or anything this weekend, but let’s call it notable that the two active career hits leaders in Major League Baseball share the field this weekend. Jose Altuve this week vaulted past Jeff Bagwell for second in Astros’ history behind Craig Biggio. Altuve enters the weekend 743 hits behind Biggio. He is no lock to catch him before Altuve’s five-year contract expires at the end of the 2029 season. Altuve will be 39 then. Biggio was 41 when he rapped his 3000th hit, then added 60 more before beginning the waiting game for election to the Hall of Fame.
Like Biggio got and presumably someday Altuve will get, Dodger first baseman Freddie Freeman will get the call from Cooperstown some day. Like Altuve, Freeman is 35 years old, has won a Most Valuable Player Award, one Gold Glove, and with his selection this week been named an All-Star nine times. Aaron Judge may change this in the next couple of years, but among active players only Mike Trout (by a long shot) has compiled more Baseball-Reference offensive Wins Above Replacement than Freeman (second) and Altuve (third).
For Astro-centric conversation, join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
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*Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!
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