This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Still, the Astros aren’t a perfect team and have important questions to answer this winter, no matter who’s in the general manager’s office. Here are three key questions facing the Astros this offseason:
Who will play first base?
Gurriel is a free agent at 38 years old and coming off a poor offensive season in which he hit .242 with eight homers and 53 RBIs, although he rebounded to slash .347/.360/.490 with two homers and four RBIs in 12 playoff games. He’s still a good defender who saves the rest of the infielders with his ability to scoop balls at first base. Free agents Anthony Rizzo, Josh Bell and Matt Carpenter could be fits, unless the Astros decide to stick with David Hensley and JJ Matijevic as internal options if Gurriel signs elsewhere. Keep an eye on Christian Walker of the D-backs as a potential trade candidate.
Will they re-sign Verlander?
Astros owner Jim Crane wants him back, but at what price? Verlander opted out of his $25 million option for 2023 and will be an interesting case on the free-agent market, considering he’s 39 years old and likely will have won the AL Cy Young in his last two healthy seasons (2019, and he’s the heavy favorite this year). Bringing back Verlander would be a luxury considering the Astros’ starting pitching depth, but a luxury Crane would like to have.
Where can they add some offense?
If Gurriel isn’t back and the Astros don’t re-sign Verlander, they’ll have money to spend to upgrade at first base, which could mean adding an impact bat (Rizzo, Bell, etc.). If Alvarez plays more left field in 2023, which is expected, there’s an opening at designated hitter. The Astros may choose to get younger at that spot instead of bringing back free agent Michael Brantley, who’s 35 years old and coming off shoulder surgery.
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