Latest Astros free agency reports, and how MLB salary cap could impact Houston
ASTROS FREE AGENCY
02 December 2024
Who should the Astros target if Alex Bregman leaves?Composite Getty Image.
As we wait to see where Alex Bregman will land this offseason, we are seeing some movement begin to take place when it comes to Scott Boras clients.
Blake Snell agreed to a 5-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers recently, which sent shockwaves across baseball. Many are wondering if the price of poker has gone up, or if this is just the Dodgers overpaying because than can afford to do so.
However, this contract impacts the Astros on two levels. One, it's more money than the Astros have ever offered a player. And two, what this contract means for Framber Valdez, who is in the last year of his deal.
In Framber's case, there's no way the Astros are going to approach an offer of this size for Valdez. They reportedly haven't even offered Bregman a deal of this nature.
The 'Stros have reportedly offered Bregman 6-years, $156 million. About $44 million less than he's looking for. Which brings up a larger concern. The Astros contract offers never seem to adjust with inflation.
Just look at these reported offers and contracts the Astros have been tied to over the last several years.
Offer: Carlos Correa 5-years, $160 million. Rejected.
Contract with Toronto: George Springer, 6-years, $150 million.
Contract with Houston: Jose Altuve 7-years, $163.5 million.
Offer: Bregman 6-years, $156 million. Pending.
Contract with Houston: Yordan Alvarez 6-years, $115 million.
It's like negotiating in a land where time stands still. Everything seems to go up in price, except for contract offers from Jim Crane. To be fair, this tactic has worked well, but for how much longer?
If the Astros do miss out on Breggy, there are some reports connecting Houston to Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander. ESPN's David Schoenfield projects Santander to land a massive three-year, $69 million deal with Houston.
Seems like quite the bargain for a player with more offensive thump than Bregman.
On the pitching front, Nick Villano of FanSided predicts the Astros will sign former Guardians ace Shane Bieber, who is recovering from season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Considering the Astros already have several pitchers returning from injury, this move does not make a ton of sense.
Salary cap coming to MLB?
Because of the Dodgers' aggressive approach to free agency over the last few years, many are wondering if a salary cap will be necessary moving forward.
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss the likelihood of a salary cap in baseball, if it would benefit the Astros, and weigh in on the Astros approach to free agency this offseason.
National media insider sounds off on why Texans deserve more respect
Jun 12, 2025, 3:59 pm
NFL analyst Albert Breer isn’t buying the quiet offseason surrounding the Houston Texans. In his view, the buzz — or lack of it — isn’t reflective of what this team actually is: a legitimate AFC contender that should be taken seriously in 2025.
Much of the skepticism, Breer believes, comes from surface-level narratives. The Texans went 10-7 in the regular season last year, a step back from the lofty expectations set after C.J. Stroud’s electric rookie year and Houston’s dramatic playoff push. And while the offense didn’t maintain its early-season explosion under Bobby Slowik, people seem to be overlooking how that same Texans team ended the year: as one of the last four teams standing in the AFC — alongside the Chiefs, Bills, and Ravens.
In Breer’s eyes, Houston belongs in that group. The defense is championship-caliber, with rising stars and playmakers at every level. And offensively, the switch to Nick Caley as offensive coordinator could be just what the unit needs. Caley brings a fresh voice and perspective, and paired with a fully settled-in Stroud, the Texans are well-positioned to take another leap forward.
One moment Breer points to as underrated: Houston’s Divisional Round game against Kansas City at Arrowhead. While most remember the Texans bowing out of the playoffs there, many forget they were trailing by just one point going into the fourth quarter — toe-to-toe with the defending Super Bowl champs in one of the toughest environments in football.
The Texans’ current win total is set at 9.5 by oddsmakers — a line Breer believes is too low. His expectation? Twelve wins and another deep playoff run. To him, the narrative that Houston is being “slept on” will disappear soon enough — likely around the time the Texans remind everyone why they’re still a problem in the AFC.
You can watch the video below for the full conversation.
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