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.
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
