KEEP IT SIMPLE
How Astros simple, game-changing moves already position them for greater success
Dec 14, 2023, 5:26 pm
Astros simple, GAME-CHANGING moves already position them for greater success
A lot has been made of how the Houston Astros are approaching the offseason. With the club slightly over the tax threshold, many believe the Astros are done making significant moves.
And while it would certainly be exciting to see the Astros make some blockbuster acquisitions, we could make the case that the team will be better this season because of addition by subtraction.
One could make the argument that the team is significantly better just by replacing Martin Maldonado with Yainer Diaz. Making Chas McCormick a regular starter should also have a positive impact on the team.
The Dusty effect
Dusty Baker refusing to move a struggling Jose Abreu down in the lineup also hurt the team. As well as continuing to use Rafael Montero in high-leverage situations, despite the poor results. We don't foresee Joe Espada making decisions like this.
Plus, many fans don't view the Victor Caratini signing as a big time move, but he has the ability to play first base and catcher. We saw how much better Jose Abreu hit later in the season after getting some rest after dealing with a back injury.
Without Baker penciling him in the lineup every day, an older player like Abreu could flourish with less wear and tear.
What about the pitching?
Most of the Astros pitchers regressed in 2023. There's a case to be made that the staff could bounce back, simply because pitching is kind of fluky by nature.
Pitchers follow up good years with bad ones, and vice versa all the time.
Don't miss the video above for the full conversation as we explain why staying under the tax threshold could greatly benefit the team after the season, and much more.
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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.