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Here's where the Texans could begin with exciting offseason overhaul
Jan 26, 2024, 5:16 pm
The Texans have several key pieces to re-sign. Composite Getty Image.
The Texans are headed into the 2024 offseason in the best shape they've probably ever been in. I say that with my whole chest and all ten toes on the ground. This franchise has never been able to go into an offseason with this much cap space, decent draft capital, and several key franchise cornerstones in place for years to come. They're ahead of schedule to some, but right on time to their loyal fanbase.
The first place you look at in the offseason is inside your own house. The Texans have many key free agents I feel they need to bring back. It may shock you, but I feel kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and punter Cameron Johnston are the two guys that need to be looked at first. Fairbairn has been one of the league's better kickers, especially recently. Johnston has been an underrated weapon all season long helping flip field position. Say what you want, but kickers and punters can help you win or lose games depending on how good they are at their jobs.
Most people will tell you Jonathan Greenard is the most important Texan to bring back. They wouldn't be wrong because everyone is entitled to their opinion. 12.5 sacks this past season at 27 years old heading into next season equals at least $20 million a year or more. That lines up with the franchise tag at his position. Derek Barnett, Sheldon Rankins, and Steven Nelson are other defenders I'd look to bring back, but not if they're looking for a huge raise.
On offense, Dalton Schultz and Devin Singletary are the guys I'd for sure look to re-sign. Schultz proved to be C.J. Stroud's security blanket. He was the second leading pass catcher. Tank Dell's injury had something to do with that, but Schultz often came up big when Stroud needed him most. Singletary took over the bulk of the carries at RB. He's a better fit than Dameon Pierce in this offense. Both are worth bringing back, but it depends on the type of contract they'd want.
When looking at outside free agents, I'm not looking at specific guys this early on in the process. I like to look at the guys the team can keep that worked in their system first. This early on in the process with outside guys, I prefer to keep it to position groups. So many people have said WR is one of the areas this team needs to look. Maybe, but not the tier of guys they've been talking about. Nico Collins has made a major move and is considered this team's WR1. Him paired with a healthy Dell gives the Texans a formidable 1-2 punch. Bringing in a solid vet to be their third wheel is more likely than spending big on a top tier guy.
RB is a position I might look at spending some money on. If so, it has to be a guy who can fit this system. Spending money wisely on this group this offseason is key because you can always draft a guy in the mid-rounds and save money. OL is another area I'd like to see some money spent on this offseason. Stroud was sacked way too much and missed two games due to concussions. Sure, they re-signed three of their starters last offseason, but it needs to be improved. Pass rush may be an area to look into as well. If Greenard and/or Barnett and/or Rankins aren't brought back, they should look to sign another vet or two on the cheap to help fill in along the defensive line.
Linebacker, corner, and safety are the other areas I'd look to improve as well. The more guys that can cover, run, and tackle on all levels is always a plus. This offense can put up points as it improves, but if this defense gets more fierce, it'll take pressure off the offense. Given the fact that DeMeco Ryans is a defensive-minded coach, and he's known for developing guys, making sure the defense has pieces he can cook with is important. Throw in some more parts for Stroud and the offense, and this team becomes pretty scary.
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After finishing up with the Guardians the Astros have a rather important series for early May with the Seattle Mariners heading to town for the weekend. While it’s still too early to be an absolute must-win series for the Astros, losing the series to drop seven or nine games off the division lead would make successfully defending their American League West title that much more unlikely.
Since their own stumble out of the gate to a 6-10 record the Mariners have been racking up series wins, including one this week over the Atlanta Braves. The M’s offense is largely Mmm Mmm Bad, but their pitching is sensational. In 18 games after a 4-8 start, the Mariners gave up five runs in a game once. In the other 17 games they only gave up four runs once. Over the 18 games their starting pitchers gave up 18 earned runs total with a 1.44 earned run average. That’s absurd. Coming into the season Seattle’s starting rotation was clearly better on paper than those of the Astros and Texas Rangers, and it has crystal clearly played out as such into the second month of the schedule.
While it’s natural to focus on and fret over one’s own team's woes when they are plentiful as they have been for the Astros, a reminder that not all grass is greener elsewhere. Alex Bregman has been awful so far. So has young Mariners’ superstar Julio Rodriguez (though not Breggy Bad). A meager four extra base hits over his first 30 games were all Julio produced down at the ballyard. That the Mariners are well ahead of the Astros with J-Rod significantly underperforming is good news for Seattle.
Caratini comes through!
So it turns out the Astros are allowed to have a Puerto Rican-born catcher who can hit a little bit. Victor Caratini’s pedigree is not that of a quality offensive player, but he has swung the bat well thus far in his limited playing time and provided the most exciting moment of the Astros’ season with his two-out two-run 10th inning game winning home run Tuesday night. I grant that one could certainly say “Hey! Ronel Blanco finishing off his no-hitter has been the most exciting moment.” I opt for the suddenness of Caratini’s blow turning near defeat into instant victory for a team that has been lousy overall to this point. Frittering away a game the Astros had led 8-3 would have been another blow. Instead, to the Victor belong the spoils.
Pudge Rodriguez is the greatest native Puerto Rican catcher, but he was no longer a good hitter when with the Astros for the majority of the 2009 season. Then there’s Martin Maldonado.
Maldonado’s hitting stats with the Astros look Mike Piazza-ian compared to what Jose Abreu was doing this season. Finally, mercifully for all, Abreu is off the roster as he accepts a stint at rookie-level ball in Florida to see if he can perform baseball-CPR on his swing and career. Until or unless he proves otherwise, Abreu is washed up and at some point the Astros will have to accept it and swallow whatever is left on his contract that runs through next season. For now Abreu makes over $120,000 per game to not be on the roster. At his level of performance, that’s a better deal than paying him that money to be on the roster.
Abreu’s seven hits in 71 at bats for an .099 batting average with a .269 OPS is a humiliating stat line. In 2018 George Springer went to sleep the night of June 13 batting .293 after going hitless in his last four at bats in a 13-5 Astros’ win over Oakland. At the time no one could have ever envisioned that Springer had started a deep, deep funk which would have him endure a nightmarish six for 78 stretch at the plate (.077 batting average). Springer then hit .293 the rest of the season.
Abreu’s exile opened the door for Joey Loperfido to begin his Major League career. Very cool for Loperfido to smack a two-run single in his first game. He also struck out twice. Loperfido will amass whiffs by the bushel, he had 37 strikeouts in 101 at bats at AAA Sugar Land. Still, if he can hit .225 with some walks mixed in (he drew 16 with the Space Cowboys) and deliver some of his obvious power (13 homers in 25 games for the ex-Skeeters) that’s an upgrade over Abreu/Jon Singleton, as well as over Jake Meyers and the awful showing Chas McCormick has posted so far. Frankly, it seems unwise that the Astros only had Loperfido play seven games at first base in the minors this year. If McCormick doesn’t pick it up soon and with Meyers displaying limited offensive upside, the next guy worth a call-up is outfielder Pedro Leon. In January 2021 the Astros gave Leon four million dollars to sign out of Cuba and called him a “rapid mover to the Major Leagues.” Well…
Over his first three minor league seasons Leon flashed tools but definitely underwhelmed. He has been substantially better so far this year. He turns 26 May 28. Just maybe the Astros offense could be the cause of fewer Ls with Loperfido at first and Leon in center field.
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and I discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via YouTube: stone cold stros - YouTube with the complete audio available via Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.