How Astros simple, game-changing moves already position them for greater success
KEEP IT SIMPLE
14 December 2023
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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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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