How Astros GM’s latest comments raise questions about even more offseason moves
WHEELING AND DEALING
24 January 2024
The Houston Astros have been a hot topic of conversation recently, after shocking everyone by signing relief pitcher Josh Hader to a 5-year, $95 million contract.
Many believed the Astros roster was set before the Hader signing, so is it possible the Astros aren't done making moves? According to Astros GM Dana Brown, there could be more coming. Brown told reporters recently that the club would have interest in a left-handed outfielder with some speed if the opportunity presents itself.
Which makes sense, considering the loss of Michael Brantley. But this is a very different approach to free agency that we haven't seen from Houston. Owner Jim Crane typically doesn't pay market value for free agents, and he also rarely goes past the first tax threshold. Some projections have the Astros within a few million dollars of the second tax threshold.
Would “YOLO” Jim Crane really consider making another substantial move? And what position would this new addition play? Replacing Jake Meyers in center field would be the obvious answer, but that would mean Yordan Alvarez would be used as a DH almost exclusively. Which is fine by us, but Yordan seems to enjoy playing defense.
It seems more likely that the club would pursue a less expensive option, that would add depth and keep Houston from crossing any more levels of the tax threshold. But then again, we didn't anticipate them going over the first threshold and handing out the biggest relief pitcher contract in history.
Be sure to watch the video above as we react to Brown's comments, the Hader deal, and what this roster will look like on Opening Day.
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How Astros just put league on notice with dominant pitching, clutch hitting
Jun 26, 2025, 7:08 pm
The Houston Astros didn’t just sweep the Philadelphia Phillies. They sent a message.
In three tightly contested games against one of the best teams in baseball, the Astros leaned on their elite pitching and timely offense to secure a statement sweep. Hunter Brown was electric in the finale, shutting down the Phillies’ lineup and showing the kind of dominance that’s become a defining feature of his game. Bryan Abreu slammed the door with four strikeouts to close out the win, and rookie Cam Smith delivered the deciding blow — an RBI single in the eighth to drive in Isaac Paredes, lifting the Astros to a 2-1 victory.
It wasn’t a series filled with offensive fireworks, but that’s exactly the point. Both teams sent out top-tier pitching throughout the series, and Houston was the team that kept finding a way. For much of the season, the Astros’ inconsistent offense might’ve been a concern in a series like this. But this time, it felt different. The bats showed up just enough, and the pitching did the rest.
Now, with Houston on pace for 96 wins at the halfway point, the question becomes: Is the league officially on notice?
Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain, the Astros have the third-best record in baseball, they’re 17-7 in one-run games, and they’re playing with the kind of rhythm that’s defined their near-decade of dominance. Unlike last year’s uneven campaign, this version of the Astros looks like a team that’s rediscovered its edge. Whether or not they need to take care of business against the Cubs to validate it, their recent run leaves little doubt: when Houston is clicking, there are very few teams built to stop them.
Off the field, however, a bit of long-term uncertainty is starting to creep in. Reports surfaced this week that extension talks with shortstop Jeremy Peña have been put on hold as he recently signed with super-agent Scott Boras. The combination has led many to wonder if Peña might follow the same free-agent path as Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and others before him. Boras clients rarely settle early, and Peña, now one of the most valuable shortstops in the game, could command a price tag the Astros have historically avoided paying.
If Peña and even Hunter Brown are likely to get priced out of Houston, the front office may need to pivot. Isaac Paredes could be the most logical extension candidate on the roster. His approach — particularly his ability to pull the ball with authority — is tailor-made for Daikin Park and the Crawford Boxes. Last year, Paredes struggled to leave the yard at Wrigley Field, but in Houston, he’s thriving. Locking him in long term would give the Astros offensive stability and the kind of value they’ve typically targeted.
As for Cam Smith, the breakout rookie is far from free agency and will remain a cost-controlled piece for years. That’s exactly why his contributions now, like his clutch eighth-inning knock to beat Philadelphia, matter so much. He's one more reason why the Astros don’t just look good right now. They look dangerous.
And the rest of the league is starting to feel it.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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