How team strategies will dictate Houston Astros free agency, trade market options

BIG MOVES COMING?

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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Everything was working for Hunter Brown on Tuesday. Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images.

The Houston Astros secured a 7-4 victory over the New York Mets, fueled by dominant pitching performances and a late offensive surge.

Hunter Brown set the tone early, delivering a dominant start with four scoreless innings while striking out six. His command and poise on the mound kept the Mets' hitters off balance, showcasing why the Astros have high expectations for the young right-hander.

Josh Hader followed with a scoreless fifth inning, and Bryan Abreu continued the trend with a shutout sixth. Abreu also flashed his athleticism, making a slick play off the mound to throw out a runner at first.

Things took a turn in the seventh when Tayler Scott struggled, allowing three hits and walking the bases loaded with two outs. Donovan Walton capitalized, crushing a high fastball for a grand slam to put the Mets up 4-0. Despite his rocky outing, Scott ended up with the win as Houston mounted a comeback.

Brendan Rodgers helped ignite the rally, slashing a ground-rule double to cut the deficit to 4-2. He later told the Astros’ broadcast team that he has been working to shorten his swing. Jose Altuve then delivered in the clutch, ripping a double down the left-field line to even the score at 4-4. Moments later, Luis Guillorme singled to right, bringing home Altuve and giving the Astros a 5-4 lead.

Houston kept the momentum going in the eighth, tacking on two more runs for insurance. Steven Okert continued his impressive spring, striking out the side in the eighth while keeping his hitless streak intact. Logan VanWey sealed the victory with a scoreless ninth, earning the save.

With another strong team effort, the Astros showed resilience and depth as they continue to prepare for the regular season.


*ChatGPT assisted.

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