***Official Houston Astros 2025-26 Offseason Thread***

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CharleyKerfeld
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In reply to EastCoastAgNc • 10:37a, 11/3/25
EastCoastAgNc said:

Kent and Bonds having to do a bunch of interviews together would at least be pretty funny since they appeared to hate each other in SF. In my mind, Bonds would give up the HR record and everything else he ever won in exchange for not losing the 2000 MVP vote to Kent..

No coincidence he meant mega roid and hit 73 HR the next year.
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Hornbeck
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10:44a, 11/3/25
AG
Hey! Did y'all know that Jeff Kent's son Kaeden played Shortstop for the Aggies?

Sorry, I had to.
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Beat40
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In reply to txags92 • 10:55a, 11/3/25
txags92 said:
Farmer1906 said:
How many lead hitting coach positions were available?

Mets, Astros, Rockies, and White Sox so far. Mets moved somebody else into the lead rather than hire either Snitker or Cintron for the lead.

So, only the Mets were open then.

I hope this board moves on from Cintron and Snitker this season. Going to be annoying as hell sifting through updates on how well their new teams are or not hitting. I don't really care to follow their career next season.

At this point the discussion is over for me in regard to those two.
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txags92
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In reply to Beat40 • 11:00a, 11/3/25
AG
Beat40 said:
txags92 said:
Farmer1906 said:
How many lead hitting coach positions were available?

Mets, Astros, Rockies, and White Sox so far. Mets moved somebody else into the lead rather than hire either Snitker or Cintron for the lead.

So, only the Mets were open then.

I hope this board moves on from Cintron and Snitker this season. Going to be annoying as hell sifting through updates on how well their new teams are or not hitting. I don't really care to follow their career next season.

At this point the discussion is over for me in regard to those two.

I would be good with that as well. I think if our hitting (particularly situational) improves this year, nobody will give two flips about how their new teams are doing. But if we stumble again, I suspect it will be a narrative from some posters all season.
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iBrad
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11:15a, 11/3/25
AG
Let's hire Carlos Beltran as our hitting coach.
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Ag_07
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In reply to iBrad • 11:22a, 11/3/25
AG
iBrad said:
Let's hire Carlos Beltran as our hitting coach.


I wouldn't hate it.

Also wouldn't hate Beltran taking over for Espada if he doesn't right this ship.
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txags92
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In reply to iBrad • 11:35a, 11/3/25
AG
iBrad said:
Let's hire Carlos Beltran as our hitting coach.

What is uncle Mike doing these days?
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texasaggie2015
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In reply to Beat40 • 11:36a, 11/3/25
AG
This.
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Farmer1906
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In reply to texasaggie2015 • 11:39a, 11/3/25
AG
texasaggie2015 said:
This.

This This
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texasaggie2015
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11:43a, 11/3/25
AG
With the postseason all wrapped up, just wanted to give an update on what I'm hearing/expecting as free agency begins...

- I fully expect this team to go all in on trading for a top of the rotation starter to replace Framber. Think of names like Sandy Alcantara, Freddy Peralta, Pablo Lopez. I would throw Drew Rasmussen in the mix as well - he's good but I think he's probably in a tier below those other names. I mentioned Makenzie Gore before but I think that's not likely.

- I don't know what it would take or who they plan to send in a deal like that, but I have it on good authority that Yainer Diaz was discussed at the deadline as a part of a deal for an arm. Not sure which deal(s) it was. I'm not sure if that's still the plan but it's something to keep an eye on.

- I also expect them to pursue a veteran starter to slot in the middle of the rotation. Haven't been given any names on this one but was told it would be a veteran guy they can get at sort of a discount. Maybe someone coming off injury looking for a "prove it deal".

- Haven't heard anything on the hitting coach front

- Not sure if adding a bat is a priority as it seems everything mentioned to me as been pitching
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Farmer1906
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In reply to texasaggie2015 • 11:45a, 11/3/25
AG
FYI Cease is a UFA.
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texasaggie2015
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In reply to Farmer1906 • 11:46a, 11/3/25
AG
Good call. Edited. Hard to keep up sometimes
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Farmer1906
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In reply to texasaggie2015 • 11:49a, 11/3/25
AG
texasaggie2015 said:

- I also expect them to pursue a veteran starter to slot in the middle of the rotation. Haven't been given any names on this one but was told it would be a veteran guy they can get at sort of a discount. Maybe someone coming off injury looking for a "prove it deal".

Dustin May seems to fit that bill as someone needing a prove-it deal. He's got tools, too. Miller (I already miss Murphy) could make some magic happen.
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RED AG 98
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In reply to tjack16 • 12:05p, 11/3/25
AG
tjack16 said:
Ag4life80 said:
The 'commissioner' allowed the Dodgers ( and few others ) to defer huge amounts of salary, to skirt the payroll tax, which is designed to help lower income teams compete. It's complete BS to kiss the ass of the super big market teams and give them a free pathway to dominate.


Did the commissioner not allow other teams to do the same thing?

Do the Dodgers have a significant advantage here versus say the Brewers or Royals or Tampa? It's not just that teams are all allowed to do it; it's that LAD and NYC (and maybe others) are at a significant advantage due to club history, market size, access to international markets, etc.

According to one report I read, LAD has already made back the entire deferred amount in this one single season. And that was before they won the WS! I don't believe that could have happened at more than just a couple other clubs.
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Hornbeck
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In reply to Farmer1906 • 12:18p, 11/3/25
AG
Farmer1906 said:
texasaggie2015 said:
This.

This This

many mucho this
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EastCoastAgNc
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12:59p, 11/3/25
AG
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TRM
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1:33p, 11/3/25
AG
For reference, this is the current 40-man roster.

Pitchers
Bryan Abreu
Jason Alexander
Spencer Arrighetti
Ronel Blanco IL-60
AJ Blubaugh
Hunter Brown
Enyel De Los Santos
J.P. France
Luis Garcia IL-60
Colton Gordon
Josh Hader
Cristian Javier
Bryan King
Lance McCullers Jr.
Jayden Murray
Steven Okert
Kaleb Ort IL-60
Nate Pearson
John Rooney IL-60
Bennett Sousa
Logan VanWey
Brandon Walter IL-60
Hayden Wesneski IL-60

Catchers
Yainer Diaz
Csar Salazar

Infielders
Carlos Correa
Mauricio Dubn
Brice Matthews
Isaac Paredes
Jeremy Peña
Ramn Uras
Christian Walker

Outfielders
Jose Altuve
Yordan Alvarez
Zach Cole
Kenedy Corona
Zach Dezenzo IL-60
Pedro Len IL-60
Chas McCormick
Jacob Melton
Jake Meyers
Jess Snchez
Cam Smith
Taylor Trammell
Shay Whitcomb
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SpaceCityAg05
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1:37p, 11/3/25
AG
Garcia, Rooney, and Chas will all get DFAed/non-tendered, one would think.
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iamtheglove
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In reply to RED AG 98 • 1:41p, 11/3/25
RED AG 98 said:
tjack16 said:
Ag4life80 said:
The 'commissioner' allowed the Dodgers ( and few others ) to defer huge amounts of salary, to skirt the payroll tax, which is designed to help lower income teams compete. It's complete BS to kiss the ass of the super big market teams and give them a free pathway to dominate.


Did the commissioner not allow other teams to do the same thing?

Do the Dodgers have a significant advantage here versus say the Brewers or Royals or Tampa? It's not just that teams are all allowed to do it; it's that LAD and NYC (and maybe others) are at a significant advantage due to club history, market size, access to international markets, etc.

According to one report I read, LAD has already made back the entire deferred amount in this one single season. And that was before they won the WS! I don't believe that could have happened at more than just a couple other clubs.


I've noted on this thread previously that the Dodgers in particular have an enormous financial advantage over almost every other team.

Their regional rights were renewed a couple years before the downturn in cable and satellite. They got a 15 to 20 year deal including ownership stake in the tv network with a guaranteed distribution regardless of network financial performance.

The estimates I heard was the total combined yearly revenue from their regional rights +network rev guarantee topped $200 million per year and could be as high as $250M/year. Most mid sized market teams were getting around $70 million per year and have all taken a haircut with the collapse of the RSN.

That dodgers money is funding their spending spree as much as anything. Meanwhile the commissioner has been reticent to address the huge financial disparity.

Full disclosure, I was an executive at a RSN group until I retired a couple years ago, so am very familiar with the business economics.
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EastCoastAgNc
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1:47p, 11/3/25
AG
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EastCoastAgNc
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2:10p, 11/3/25
AG
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Marvin
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2:42p, 11/3/25
AG
I caught up on some baseball news while on a plane to NY. The consensus I read, which was not based on an exhaustive list, is that the Astros will be a bottom-tier team in 2026 and will likely attract no top free agents. This is obviously prior to any trades and considering the team's existing financial position.

I suspect Crane will make enough moves to get the team into wildcard contention, but that seems to be the best-case scenario at this point... which means the worst-case scenario may develop. Yay.


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Farmer1906
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2:51p, 11/3/25
AG
Why is WC the best case scenario? The Blue Jays finished last in their division (88 losses!) and dominated the AL the next year. And no thanks to their big offseason move of Santander.

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agproducer
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In reply to Marvin • 3:21p, 11/3/25
AG
Gaming sites say otherwise. Astros are listed with like 4th or 5th best odds to win WS in 2026.
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Marvin
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In reply to agproducer • 3:27p, 11/3/25
AG
agproducer said:
Gaming sites say otherwise. Astros are listed with like 4th or 5th best odds to win WS in 2026.


As mentioned, what I read was not an exhaustive list. But, if I had to choose today, I'd probably bet the bottom 10 over the top 5.
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Marvin
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In reply to Farmer1906 • 3:48p, 11/3/25
AG
Farmer1906 said:
Why is WC the best case scenario? The Blue Jays finished last in their division (88 losses!) and dominated the AL the next year. And no thanks to their big offseason move of Santander.



Just my opinion:
1. Lack of quality in the starting rotation
2. Roster age- Astros were 24th in avg batter age this year and the older ones aren't leaving
3. Below league average in slugging and OPS
4. Depending on the metric, league average or worse on defense... and getting older and slower
5. Most metrics trending downward from championship window

What could mitigate this?
1. Cam improving (need more than a .671 OPS)
2. Yordan health (can he play a full season?)
3. Paredes hammy remaining intact
4. Walker hitting at DP like he did on the road
5. Crane and Brown landing a #2 and a #3/4 starter
6. Javier and Arrighetti being their better selves
7. Dubon less than 300 at bats

It's possible, because a team or two does it every year as you mentioned. Is it probable? I think it's more likely that the trend line continues downward a bit.

I'm happy to be wrong. I'm happy to turn my glass half full instead of half empty. Convince me otherwise!
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EastCoastAgNc
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3:52p, 11/3/25
AG
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redline248
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In reply to EastCoastAgNc • 4:21p, 11/3/25
AG
No old players who can't OPS .700
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txags92
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In reply to redline248 • 4:24p, 11/3/25
AG
redline248 said:
No old players who can't OPS .700

If we want a sub-.700 OF, just resign Chas.
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Hornbeck
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4:54p, 11/3/25
AG
No thank you
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EastCoastAgNc
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4:57p, 11/3/25
AG
To be clear, I wasn't recommending we sign him. I'm kinda surprised given his stats that he turned down a $5M paycheck for next year.
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SpaceCityAg05
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4:58p, 11/3/25
AG
The discussion of trimming the 40-man roster makes we wonder if we will see a change to this definition in the next CBA. With the skyrocketing number of major arm surgeries, teams have more and more players with 60-day IL designations during the season. But the current rules eliminate this designation in the offseason, making you fit them back in.

This squeezes 40 man rosters in the offseason more than ever as you protect major arms in surgery recovery but also have to maintain a functional pitching staff on top of all of the spots for position players, key minor league depth, and spots to protect top prospects from the Rule 5 draft.

It would not surprise me if we see a move to either expand the size of the 40-man or to change the handling of the long-term IL designation. For example, the NFL does not limit roster size during the offseason and when teams have to get down to the 53-man for the season, they can put players on injured reserve (IR) to keep them without consuming a roster spot.

If teams are going to have 10+ guys at a time recovering from arm surgery, something is going to have to give. This isn't just to protect teams but also players, especially fringe pitchers, who will otherwise get DFAed as soon as they destroy their arm and left without an income during their year of recovery.
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linkdude
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5:32p, 11/3/25
AG
HB is a finalist for the AL CY so that means we get an extra compensation round draft pick. I don't know for sure but I believe it's post-round 1 comp, which is all the better for us.
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LouisianaCHEN
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5:33p, 11/3/25
AG


We get a comp pick for this right?
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linkdude
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In reply to LouisianaCHEN • 5:38p, 11/3/25
AG
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mlb.com/amp/news/prospect-promotion-incentive-faq.html
Quote:
MLB clubs can earn a Draft pick after the first round if a PPI-eligible player accrues one year of service as a rookie and then factors into a major award. That means he either has to win his league's Rookie of the Year award or place in the top three in MVP or Cy Young voting prior to qualifying for arbitration.
...
Quote:
Players who made an Opening Day roster and accrued the service time but didn't factor in any awards that year retain PPI eligibility. They need to place in the top three for MVP or Cy Young before hitting arbitration. That typically allows for a three-year window.
First round pick it is! Take advantage, Dana!
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