The Astros lost one star in free agency while trading away another. They’re moving their longtime second baseman to left field. It’ll be a different team, one they hope will remain a top AL contender in the short term while avoiding a true rebuild in the second half of this decade.
Major League Signings
- 1B Christian Walker: Three years, $60MM
- LF Ben Gamel: One year, $1.2MM (only $200K guaranteed)
2025 spending: $21.2MM
Total spending: $62.2MM
Option Decisions
- None
Trades and Claims
- Acquired LF Taylor Trammell from Yankees for cash
- Traded RF Kyle Tucker to Cubs for 3B Isaac Paredes, RHP Hayden Wesneski and minor league 3B Cam Smith
- Traded SS Grae Kessinger to Diamondbacks for minor league RHP Matthew Linskey
- Traded RHP Ryan Pressly and cash ($5.5MM) to Cubs for minor league RHP Juan Bello
Notable Minor League Signings
Extensions
- None
Notable Losses
- Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander, Yusei Kikuchi, Ryan Pressly, José Urquidy (non-tendered), Caleb Ferguson, Héctor Neris, Jason Heyward, Kendall Graveman, Seth Martinez (via waivers), Penn Murfee (via waivers), Grae Kessinger, Trey Cabbage (via waivers)
The Astros are seeking their ninth consecutive playoff berth. Houston’s incredible run of seven straight trips to the ALCS came to an end, but they still cruised to an AL West title after a ghastly start to the ’24 campaign. The contention window certainly hasn’t closed, but the front office had its work cut out for them this winter.
Alex Bregman’s free agency was the most immediate challenge. Houston has spent up to and occasionally beyond the luxury tax line under owner Jim Crane. They’re willing to spend, but that has come with the general caveat that they’re not keen on offering long-term contracts. Houston had already allowed George Springer and Carlos Correa to walk in free agency. How much urgency would they show with Bregman?
The Astros made some effort to retain their longtime third baseman. They reportedly offered a six-year, $156MM proposal early in the winter. Bregman remained in pursuit of a contract closer to $200MM. While Houston left the offer on the table, the front office began turning its attention elsewhere when there was no progress towards a deal within the offseason’s first six weeks.
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