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.
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe to SportsMapHouston on YouTube for our latest content!
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.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
