How Astros GM’s latest comments raise questions about even more offseason moves
WHEELING AND DEALING
24 January 2024
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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Miguel Andujar and Shea Langeliers homered in the first inning, J.T. Ginn threw six shutout innings and the Athletics beat the Houston Astros 7-1 on Sunday to sweep the four-game series.
Starting in the leadoff spot for the first time in his nine-year career, Andujar homered on Colton Gordon’s fifth pitch. With two out, Langeliers sent a 3-0 fastball over the train tracks in left for his 17th home run of the season.
Langeliers has homered in three straight games for the first time in his career. He went 2 for 4 with two runs.
Ginn (2-2) held the Astros to three hits in his longest start of the season. He struck out four without issuing a walk.
Colby Thomas went 1 for 2 with a double and the first RBI of his major league career.
Two days after becoming the first rookie in major league history to hit four home runs in a game, Nick Kurtz was given the day off. He’s batting .549 during a 13-game hitting streak.
Gordon (4-3) surrendered four runs on six hits over five innings with six strikeouts.
The A’s four-game winning streak and the Astros’ four-game losing streak match season-highs.
Andujar’s leadoff home run.
Houston’s opponents have scored first in a franchise-record 18 straight games, one game shy of the expansion era record set by the 1987 Orioles.
The Athletics open a three-game home series against Seattle on Monday night, with LHP JP Sears (7-8 4.98 ERA) facing RHP Luis Castillo (7-6 3.30). The Astros open a three-game home series against Washington on Monday night, with LHP Framber Valdez (11-4 2.67) opposing RHP Brad Lord (2-5 3.39