Astros roulette: 1 player who should be signed, 1 that won't, and 1 that should never be
ASTROS HOT STOVE
03 November 2023
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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Astros turn it on late to beat A’s after McCullers strikes out 12
May 28, 2025, 5:11 pm
Zach Dezenzo homered and Victor Caratini drove in two runs in the seventh to help the Houston Astros rally for a 5-3 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday.
The Athletics led by 1 when rookie Justin Sterner (1-1) took over for Luis Severino to start the seventh. Dezenzo sent his fourth pitch 416 feet to center field for his second homer this season to tie it at 3-all.
DEZENZO. BOMB. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/ur27VQMcmm
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 28, 2025
There were runners on second and third with two outs in the inning when Caratini lined a single to center field to score 2 and put the Astros on top 5-3.
CARATINI FOR THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/QX8fAMlQcd
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 28, 2025
Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. allowed five hits and three runs in a season-long six innings in his fifth start after missing more than two seasons with injuries.
Shawn Dubin (2-0) struck out two in a scoreless seventh for the win and Josh Hader converted his 14th save in 14 opportunities with a scoreless ninth.
Jacob Wilson homered with two RBIs for the Athletics, who fell to 3-17 in their last 20 games.
Severino yielded three hits and two runs — one earned — in six innings. He struck out four to give him 1,003 strikeouts in his career, making him the 48th active player to reach 1,000 strikeouts.
Christian Walker was hit on the hand with a pitch to start Houston’s fourth. He left in the bottom of the sixth inning because of the injury. Manager Joe Espada said the X-rays were negative after the game.
Key moment
The Astros jumping on Sterner in the seventh to take the lead after Severino’s strong start kept them in check through six.
Key stat
McCullers struck out 12 to tie a career high he last reached in 2018.
Lance McCullers, 12th K. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/A3hJ0eSzId
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 28, 2025
Up next
LHP Jacob Lopez (0-2, 2.57 ERA) will start for Oakland on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Toronto. The Astros open a four-game series against Tampa Bay on Thursday night with RHP Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.58) on the mound against RHP Shane Baz (4-3, 4.94).
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