While the Astros and GM Dana Brown are searching for the team's next manager, they also have free agency and the trade market to navigate over the next several weeks.

Michael Schwab is reporting the team will only be around $9 million under the threshold of the competitive balance tax, so it doesn't appear the team will be players for big ticket free agents.

So if not the free agent market, what about trades? The Astros reportedly had interest in Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo before the trade deadline. Could he be a player still on Houston's radar?

MLBTradeRumors.com wrote a piece about Verdugo recently, and listed the Astros as one of their best fits for his services. He's a left-handed bat that could replace Michael Brantley immediately. He only has one year left on his deal, so the compensation the Red Sox are looking for should be somewhat reasonable.

Of course, the Astros' farm system is pretty thin. So that's a concern.

We've also seen articles naming Twins pitcher Sonny Gray and Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (who has a club option for 2024) as players the club should consider. We're not sure about Muncy becoming available, but you can never have enough pitching.

Who's really running things?

Finally, this year the Astros have GM Dana Brown in place to upgrade the roster for 2024. With that being the case, will Jeff Bagwell and Jim Crane allow Brown to run the show this offseason?

Don't miss the video above as we break it all down.

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