How Astros unexpected hiccups compare to their other opportunities for improvement

STONE COLD 'STROS

How Astros unexpected hiccups compare to their other opportunities for improvement
The Astros will look to get back on track against the Blue Jays. Composite Getty Image.

The Astros had a rough weekend, with Juan Soto and the Yankees coming to town and sweeping Houston. The 'Stros now sit at 0-4 on the season and host the Blue Jays for a three-game series starting Monday night.

So what went wrong?

Some issues from 2023 haven't been resolved, and some new concerns have also arisen, which hampered the club against New York. Let's start with the old problems that still persist. Astros first baseman Jose Abreu had a terrible 2023 regular season, and things aren't going any better in 2024. He's yet to record a hit (0-11), and manager Joe Espada has already dropped him behind Yainer Diaz in the batting order.

Rafael Montero really struggled in 2023 after posting a career-year in 2022. Montero finished 2023 with an ERA over five, and through his first 2 appearances this season, his ERA is currently 5.40. He also surrendered a home run in his first appearance.

Finally, when is this team going to win a game at home? The Astros struggles at Minute Maid Park have continued into the 2024 season. The club is 7-26 in their last 33 home games.

As far as some new areas of concern, let's start with the bullpen. The tandem of Bryan Abreu, Ryan Pressly, and Josh Hader hasn't produced the results Houston was hoping for. Abreu coughed up a 3-1 lead on Saturday, and Hader surrendered the go-ahead run on Sunday that secured the win for the Yankees.

At least with these guys, we believe water will find its level, and the backend of the bullpen will be a strength for this club over the course of the season. But for those blaming Abreu's two-game suspension for the first two losses, Saturday's performance was a tough pill to swallow.

Finally, moving Alex Bregman to the cleanup spot hasn't generated the results Espada was hoping for. They wanted Bregman to get more at-bats with runners on base, and so far that's working. The club produced two games in the series with twelve hits or more. They just haven't performed well with runners in scoring position. And Bregman is a prime example, he only has one RBI through the first four games.

Be sure to watch the video above as we react to the Yankees series, look ahead to the Blue Jays, and much more!

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It's time to seriously question the Astros' front office. Photos via Getty Images, ESPN IG.

The Astros have officially entered a new era, but it’s hard to spin Alex Bregman’s exit as anything but a gut punch. Bregman, a cornerstone of Houston’s championship core, is gone — and the Astros' strategy (or lack thereof) is front and center. The questions are mounting fast, and the answers don’t inspire confidence.

Let’s be clear: This isn’t about refusing to pay players. It’s about how the Astros are willing to pay them. Jim Crane’s approach has become increasingly rigid — no deals with high annual values and opt-outs, but also no long-term contracts for $160+ million. Essentially, Crane is looking for a Goldilocks zone in modern baseball that no longer exists. Good luck winning another World Series with that strategy and a depleted farm system.

If Crane’s blueprint is to focus on cheap positions (first base, closer) or short-term deals with aging veterans past their prime, this team could be in serious trouble. We’ve seen it before with Correa. He could’ve been retained on a shorter-term contract (3-years, $105 million), but Crane’s pride — and his refusal to engage with Scott Boras on deals that include opt-outs — kept the Astros out of the conversation.

Dana Brown publicly called Bregman a top priority. Clearly, that wasn’t true for Crane. Brown’s reaction to the Bregman news felt more like a man at a funeral than an optimistic GM on the opening day of spring training for pitchers and catchers. He wouldn’t even comment on the deal.

Crane’s strategy already backfiring

The Astros locked up Rafael Montero and José Abreu to questionable contracts that now feel like self-inflicted wounds. Would Crane have let Bregman walk if not for those deals? If that’s the case, Houston just sacrificed its long-term core for short-term bets that didn't pay off.

And get ready — Framber Valdez is probably next. When his contract comes up, don’t expect him to stick around.

Leadership void

Losing Bregman isn’t just about stats. It’s about leadership, swagger, and presence. Players like Jeremy Peña, Chas McCormick, and Isaac Paredes aren’t exactly striking fear into opponents. Correa, Bregman, and Kyle Tucker? Entirely different story.

A missed opportunity

Imagine choosing between Josh Hader’s deal (5-years, $95 million) or what Bregman just signed for (3-years, $120 million). I would take Bregman all day. When Hader signed last season, we were fine with it as long as it didn't preclude the club from trying to extend Bregman and/or Tucker.

But here we are one year later with Tucker, Bregman, and Ryan Pressly playing for new teams. And Pressly was better than Hader in 2024 despite dealing with a role change.

For now, the most exciting things about the 2025 Astros are the short porch in left field — which might make Paredes look good again — and the weak AL West.

So, get your season tickets now!

This is one video you don't want to miss as the crew from Stone Cold 'Stros examines all the ramifications from Alex Bregman's Astros departure, and much more!

Spring training is up and running. 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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