ASTROS HOT STOVE
Astros roulette: 1 player who should be signed, 1 that won't, and 1 that should never be
Nov 2, 2023, 7:15 pm
Astros roulette: 1 player who SHOULD be signed, 1 that WON'T , and 1 that should NEVER be
MLB free agency is set to get started on Monday and there are several players to discuss that are likely on the Astros' wish list or have been linked to the club in various articles and reports.
Juan Soto has been mentioned as a player the Astros should target, and he's not even a free agent until next season. Plus, he's expected to make around $27 million in arbitration this year, so don't count him wearing an Astros uniform anytime soon. The team would have to trade for him and pay him big money. This doesn't sound like a Jim Crane move.
Another player linked to Houston is Rangers reliever Aroldis Chapman. Former MLB executive, Jim Bowden, believes he would be a good fit for Houston, and he may only require a 2-year deal for $12 million. Chapman will be 36 when the season begins, and it's hard to imagine Astros fans would be excited for him to join the club. But the Astros are expected to lose Phil Maton, Hector Neris, and Ryne Stanek in free agency, so he could be a decent option to consider.
The player we're most excited about is Arizona outfielder Lourdes Gurriel. With Michael Brantley's contract expiring, the team could use another outfielder that can play good defense and hit. But he won't come cheap. MLBTradeRumors.com projects he could command around 20 million per season.
So which player/players make the most sense for Houston?
Watch the video above for the full discussion.
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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.