While it's been a relatively quiet offseason for the Houston Astros, many were holding out hope that the club would make at least one impact addition to the bullpen, with Phil Maton, Hector Neris, and Ryne Stanek departing in free agency.
Former Cardinals flamethrower Jordan Hicks is a player the Astros were rumored to have interest in, but he signed a 4-year deal with the Giants and is no longer an option.
Also, the Astros reached agreement with all their arbitration eligible players except for Maurio Dubon, and are now under the tax threshold according to FanGraphs.
At this point, we think it's fair to say the roster is what it is, and Houston was never serious about spending money this offseason. Their rumored interest in several players was probably nothing more than agents trying to use the Astros as leverage for a deal elsewhere.
Which got us thinking. Is it fair to say with the benefit of hindsight that the Astros' underwhelming offseason is a byproduct of last year's mistakes? (Signing Jose Abreu and Rafael Montero).
To be fair, owner Jim Crane has only gone over the tax threshold one time, so it's no surprise they're staying under it once again. And considering the draft compensation that's lost for going over the threshold, it sounds like the right decision for a depleted farm system and club that will be looking to replace Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker.
If we're being honest, we shouldn't have expected any substantial moves, considering the state of the roster and payroll limitations.
However, one thing has changed substantially over the past year. The Houston Texans. Will Jim Crane feel any pressure now that Houston has a playoff football team to be proud of?
Editor's note: This video was filmed before the Astros announced Kendall Graveman is out for the year.
Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion!
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.
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