ASTROS FREE AGENCY
Latest Astros free agency reports, and how MLB salary cap could impact Houston
Dec 2, 2024, 4:30 pm
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.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.