Here's the definitive case for Astros doubling down on this specific need
TOP PRIORITY
14 November 2023
We learned a fair amount from the GM meetings with Dana Brown speaking to the media about the club's outlook for 2024.
Brown made it seem like the team isn't looking to spend much money in free agency, with a backup catcher and possibly some pitching being on the top of their priority list.
Super agent Scott Boras also had some interesting comments about how the pitch clock led to a rash of injuries to pitchers in 2023. And as we look at the Astros rotation moving forward, there's a lot of uncertainty to factor in. Justin Verlander is another year older, and missed time due to injury early in the 2023 season. We're also back to not knowing which Framber Valdez will show up from start to start. Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier regressed significantly, and who knows what can be expected from Jose Urquidy after more injuries and an ERA over 5.
Martin Maldonado could fill the need for a backup catcher, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. So that leaves pitching as the team's top priority in our opinion.
The bullpen could use some attention, with Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek, and Hector Neris heading to free agency, but the starting rotation is where we're focused. For the reasons mentioned above, and because Dana Brown said we shouldn't expect Lance McCullers and Luis Garcia to return from injury until July.
And let's be honest, it's hard to count on Lance McCullers moving forward with his injury history. Plus, Luis Garcia's pitch count will be limited coming off Tommy John surgery. If injuries continue to pile up due to the pitch clock and other factors, the Astros may very well need another middle of the rotation pitcher to eat up innings this season.
Many fans would like to see an upgrade in the outfield, but it doesn't appear to be a priority for the 'Stros with their salary restrictions. They still have Kyle Tucker, Mauricio Dubon, Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers, and Yordan Alvarez as options in the outfield.
So it's no surprise that Brown views pitching and backup catcher as the team's main focus.
Don't miss the video above as we discuss how the Astros can best deploy their limited payroll for the 2024 season, and much more.
How Astros just put league on notice with dominant pitching, clutch hitting
Jun 26, 2025, 7:08 pm
The Houston Astros didn’t just sweep the Philadelphia Phillies. They sent a message.
In three tightly contested games against one of the best teams in baseball, the Astros leaned on their elite pitching and timely offense to secure a statement sweep. Hunter Brown was electric in the finale, shutting down the Phillies’ lineup and showing the kind of dominance that’s become a defining feature of his game. Bryan Abreu slammed the door with four strikeouts to close out the win, and rookie Cam Smith delivered the deciding blow — an RBI single in the eighth to drive in Isaac Paredes, lifting the Astros to a 2-1 victory.
It wasn’t a series filled with offensive fireworks, but that’s exactly the point. Both teams sent out top-tier pitching throughout the series, and Houston was the team that kept finding a way. For much of the season, the Astros’ inconsistent offense might’ve been a concern in a series like this. But this time, it felt different. The bats showed up just enough, and the pitching did the rest.
Now, with Houston on pace for 96 wins at the halfway point, the question becomes: Is the league officially on notice?
Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain, the Astros have the third-best record in baseball, they’re 17-7 in one-run games, and they’re playing with the kind of rhythm that’s defined their near-decade of dominance. Unlike last year’s uneven campaign, this version of the Astros looks like a team that’s rediscovered its edge. Whether or not they need to take care of business against the Cubs to validate it, their recent run leaves little doubt: when Houston is clicking, there are very few teams built to stop them.
Off the field, however, a bit of long-term uncertainty is starting to creep in. Reports surfaced this week that extension talks with shortstop Jeremy Peña have been put on hold as he recently signed with super-agent Scott Boras. The combination has led many to wonder if Peña might follow the same free-agent path as Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and others before him. Boras clients rarely settle early, and Peña, now one of the most valuable shortstops in the game, could command a price tag the Astros have historically avoided paying.
If Peña and even Hunter Brown are likely to get priced out of Houston, the front office may need to pivot. Isaac Paredes could be the most logical extension candidate on the roster. His approach — particularly his ability to pull the ball with authority — is tailor-made for Daikin Park and the Crawford Boxes. Last year, Paredes struggled to leave the yard at Wrigley Field, but in Houston, he’s thriving. Locking him in long term would give the Astros offensive stability and the kind of value they’ve typically targeted.
As for Cam Smith, the breakout rookie is far from free agency and will remain a cost-controlled piece for years. That’s exactly why his contributions now, like his clutch eighth-inning knock to beat Philadelphia, matter so much. He's one more reason why the Astros don’t just look good right now. They look dangerous.
And the rest of the league is starting to feel it.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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