Names To Watch For The Astros In Free Agency

Hot stove season is back and the rumors are slowly starting to fly. The Astros are coming off a remarkable season with another World Series title, but clear areas that need improvement. Jim Crane and whoever he hires will have plenty of work to do, outside of the deal they have already given Rafael Montero to stay in Houston. With a clear need for at least two bats, let's look at a few names that you should keep an eye on this winter.

1B- Anthony Rizzo

The Astros most obvious hole is at first base this winter. Yuli Gurriel had a brutal regular season, but turned it around with a brilliant October before the injury in game five of the World Series. While it is still possible that Gurriel might be back on a small deal and in a more limited role, that should rule out an addition of Rizzo. After declining a player option for 16 million, the Yankees slapped the qualifying offer on him. He could simply go back to New York for one more year and make more than 16 million and hit the market a year from now without that qualifying offer attached to him.

Getting him on a two year deal for less than twenty million a year would feel like a win, but the question is can you do just that. The banning of the shift next season should help shoot some of his numbers back up, he would be bring a clear cut power threat from the left side in a lineup that already features two of the best left handed hitters in the game. The Astros desperately need to add another left handed bat this winter and you would not go wrong here.

1B- Jose Abreu

The clear cut best first baseman on the market will cost you more than Rizzo. The Astros have had a long history of being interested in this bat that can still flat out rake. He is also pretty good with the glove at first base. Picking him up would not help you get less right handed in your lineup, but he is clearly the best option out there. He would be my priority if I were running the Astros.

C- Wilson Contreras

I add this one here only because I think you have and are going to continue to see people write the Astros next to his name when it comes to places he could land. I would not buy these links though if I were you after Jim Crane squashed the agreed upon trade for him at the deadline. I heard about that back in August, but didn't really think to say anything about it, because it did not happen and I just did not think it was that big of a deal. From what I understand, the intel that the Astros got on him is that he would be a bad fit in the clubhouse, so I cannot see their stance changing on him.

OF- Michael Conforto

This name has been linked to the Astros a few times and it will be interesting to see if there is any true linkage this offseason. This is a player that sat out all of 2022 with shoulder surgery after turning down the Mets qualifying offer. This is a clear one year, prove it to me type of deal that I think could be a possibility for the Astros. Of course the only way he is on your radar is if the medicals checkout of course.

1B- Josh Bell

Bell was a very popular name at the deadline for the Astros before landing in San Diego as part of the Juan Soto deal. After a great start to 2022 with the Nationals, he was horrible in San Diego, wearing a lot of the shine off of his star in free agency. This screams as a fallback plan on a one or two year deal at best.

OF- Brandon Nimmo

Someone is probably going to overpay for Nimmo, but if Jim Crane really is in big spend mode, you have to guess that there is at least a conversation that is had here with the best centerfielder on the market. If he hit for more power his name would be a lot more intriguing for the Astros.

OF- Mitch Haniger

The play for Haniger is to return to Seattle because they need at least two outfielders this winter. This is a player that has always had trouble staying healthy, but still always leaves you intrigued by what he can do. The only reason I bring up his name is because every time the Astros have played Seattle, Dusty Baker always finds a way to bring up his name when talking about them. It just makes me wonder if Dusty just likes the player. Just a wild thought on my end.

The market is not extremely rich at the Astros most desperate areas of need, so it will be interesting to see how this plays for them. If they hold on to Justin Verlander, you have to wonder if playing on the trade market becomes a more likely choice for the club to make improvements. Either way, this once again is setup for a wild winter for the Astros when you add on the question of who is going to be the next general manager of the club.