Four Looming Questions for the Astros This Offseason

When you miss the postseason for the first time in eight years, even if it was only by a couple games, decisions will need to be made. This is particularly true of an Astros organization that has celebrated one of the best runs of any team in baseball over the last decade including a pair of World Series wins.

It is what makes this winter both fascinating and a little concerning for anyone following this team. Jim Crane has said the championship window will always be open as long as he is the owner, but that is easier said that done, particularly when you are simultaneously trying to remain relevant and rebuild a farm system devastated by trades, injuries and penalties in the wake of the 2017 sign-stealing scandal.

GM Dana Brown will have a lot on his plate when the hot stove starts heating up. Here are four questions that will be top of mind for him and Astros fans.

How do you deal with the starting pitching?

At present, the Astros have exactly two healthy starting pitchers we can assume will occupy the team’s starting rotation in 2026: Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier. Framber Valdez is a free agent and not expected to return. Barring surgery, Spencer Arrighetti should be back and Lance McCullers, Jr. could take one last shot at starting. After that, it’s a crapshoot.

Multiple players including Ronel Blanco, Luis Garcia, Hayden Wesneski and Brandon Walter are expected to miss all of next season following surgery. That leaves rookie AJ Blubaugh, who was good in his handful of starts, but hardly a guarantee, and Jason Alexander, who could return but was only good this past year after being claimed off waivers.

After swinging and missing at a starter at the deadline, Brown will have no greater priority than finding at least one, possibly two, starting arms this offseason and pray for health in 2026, something that has eluded the organization for several years.

What moves do you make to clean up the infield logjam?

Bring Carlos Correa back via trade was not just good for the feels at Daikan, it was beneficial on the field as well. Likewise, Ramon Urias provided some much needed depth on the infield. But with Isaac Paredes back from injury, there are now more players than spots available. Paredes could be moved to second base, but few believe he can excel defensively there, something the Astros as an organization have prioritized in their infield acquisitions. But if not there, where?

Christian Walker came on at the end of the season, but was a general disappointment at the plate despite being excellent at first. Jose Altuve bounced between left field, second and designated hitter, but many people the left field experiment will end leaving him with few options in the field, especially when Yordan Alvarez is healthy.

Then there is the fact that with Urias, the Astros are essentially carrying two utility men with Mauricio Dubon, who regressed at the plate in 2025. Could some of these players be moved to clear room?

Oh, and we didn’t even mention the fact that rookie Brice Matthews, who plays second base, looks ready for a full season in the bigs. A lot to consider here.

Can better coaching improve hitting with these players?

After firing Alex Cintrón and Troy Snitker, the team will move to fill those vacancies with new hires focused on hitting, but will that be enough. For years, this has been an organization that preached plate discipline, but that seemed to escape them this year. With so many free swingers on the roster and not enough of them power hitters, the Astros offense was anemic at best.

You’d be hard pressed to find people in baseball who believe hitting coaches can change the fortunes of entire teams, but they need to get these hires right. Getting back to taking more pitches and saving swings for balls in the zone must be a priority.

Ultimately, however, it will take the right combination of players (and health) to get this team out of the offensive basement. Adding ANY power to the mix would also be hugely helpful.

What 40-man roster moves should be on the table?

When you consider the names on the roster and the lack of minor league depth, it seems like an offseason primed for some trades of players most fans know. Where players like Dubon, Walker and/or Paredes fit will be part of the calculus, particularly with the glaring need for pitching.

Then there is the outfield. Jesus Sanchez in right was below average in the field platooning with the surprising rookie Cam Smith, who excelled defensively despite never playing in the outfield. But, Sanchez also struggled at the plate. They team dealt for him, hoping for a boost from his left handed bat. With a full year under his belt, Smith probably deserves the full time role in right, but where does that leave Sanchez?

Likewise, rookie Zach Cole had a huge impact down the stretch and seemingly came out of nowhere, but would seem to be squeezed in the outfield when you consider the returns of Jacob Melton, one of the team’s best prospects, and Zach Dezenzo, who could play multiple spots on the field.

Finally, there are Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers. McCormick could be a candidate to be non tendered and Meyers might be at the peak of his trade value after a good season at the plate and continued success defensively in center.

A lot will be decided in a short period of time with potential seismic shifts up and down the roster.

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