How Astros GM’s latest comments raise questions about even more offseason moves

WHEELING AND DEALING

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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The Rangers beat the Astros, 5-1. Composite Getty Image.

Marcus Semien hit his 250th career home run and Adolis García also went deep to back up a strong start by Nathan Eovaldi and give the Texas Rangers a 5-1, series clinching victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Eovaldi (7-3) limited Houston to five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings for his third straight win.

Houston starter Hunter Brown (9-4) allowed five hits and four runs while striking out eight in five innings as the AL West leaders lost for the fifth time in six games. It was the second straight tough outing for the All-Star, who gave up a season-high six runs in his last start against Cleveland.

Wyatt Langford walked to open the second and the Rangers made it 1-0 when he scored on a triple by Evan Carter. There were two outs in the inning when Carter scored on a ground-rule double by Ezequiel Duran to push the lead to 2-0.García’s third homer in the last four games put Texas ahead 3-0 with two outs in the third inning.

Carter doubled to start the fourth and Kyle Higashioka singled before Carter scored on a sacrifice fly by Alejandro Osuna to make it 4-0.

The Astros cut it to 4-1 on a home run by Zack Short with no outs in the sixth inning.

Semien’s shot with one out in the eighth inning was his second of the series and gave him 250 in his 13-year career.

Key moment

Texas jumping on Brown for two runs in the second inning to take the lead for good.

Key stat

García’s 20 home runs against the Astros since 2021 are the most of any player in that span.

Up next

The Astros open the second half of the season Friday night at Seattle, and the Rangers host Detroit on the same night.

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