2024-25 MLB Offseason Recap: Houston Astros

The winds of change blew through Houston this past winter. Weeks after Houston was eliminated in the AL Wild Card round, the Astros filled a long-standing hole at first with one of the best first basemen on the market. However, the Astros also lost two cornerstones of the franchise.

Notable Additions

• SP/RP Hayden Wesneski (-0.3 bWAR in 2024)
• 1B/3B Isaac Paredes (2.7 bWAR)
• 1B Christian Walker (2.6 bWAR)

There were several significant storylines looming around the Astros this winter, from rumors linking the team to Nolan Arenado, to how the team would fill their holes at first & third base.

Houston filled the one at first with Christian Walker, a power-hitting first baseman who’s a three-time Gold Glove winner at the position. Walker will look to end the carousel at first base for the Astros, a team that’s seen Yuli Gurriel, Jose Abreu, and Jon Singleton, among others, get time there.

On the other side of the diamond, Isaac Paredes came by way of trade. Houston was reportedly interested in Paredes last season and it’s not hard to see why. Paredes is an extreme pull-heavy, fly-ball hitter who did well for himself in Tropicana Field.

Paredes posted a sub-.700 OPS last season with Chicago. Wrigley Field’s dimensions are significantly different compared to the stadium formerly known as Minute Maid — meaning that Paredes could benefit greatly in his new home.

However, the additions of Paredes & Hayden Wesneski, as well as prospect Cam Smith, came at a price.

Notable Losses

• 3B Alex Bregman (4.1 bWAR)
• RP Caleb Ferguson (-0.5 bWAR, 0.2 bWAR with Astros)
• OF Jason Heyward (1,2 bWAR, 0.3 bWAR with Astros)
• SP Yusei Kikuchi (1.4 bWAR, 1.3 bWAR with Astros)
• RP Seth Martinez (0.4 bWAR)
• RP Hector Neris (-0.2 bWAR, -0.3 bWAR with Astros)
• RP Ryan Pressly (0.4 bWAR)
• OF Kyle Tucker (4.7 bWAR)
• SP Justin Verlander (-0.3 bWAR)

To get those three names from the Cubs, Houston traded All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker.

Tucker is one year away from free agency, and the team, dating back to the late 2010s and through multiple regimes, has shied away from long-term extensions with several notable players. The 28-year-old Tucker, who could be looking at at least $300-350MM cumulative, priced himself out of town.

He wasn’t the only big name who left Houston. Alex Bregman, a stalwart of the Astros for almost the last decade, left to join the Red Sox in free agency. It was an interesting free agency for Bregman, who looked like he would return for a short time in January, as Jose Altuve stated he would move to the left to accommodate Bregman and Paredes.

Altuve, by the way, will move to left field in 2025.

Aside from those two names, the Astros also lost several relievers. Houston moved off Ryan Pressly’s salary to Chicago (NL). Seth Martinez (Mariners), Hector Neris (Braves), and Caleb Ferguson (Pirates) are also gone.

The Astros also lost a pair of starters, Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Verlander.

Kikuchi was a valuable rental for the Astros. Yes, the deal to get him cost the team Jake Bloss & Joey Loperfido. However, Kikuchi struck out 76 over 60 frames with the ‘Stros and a 2.70 ERA. His impressive run pushed him to 206 total strikeouts on the year.

The Angels signed Kikuchi to a multi-year deal in November.

Justin Verlander, meanwhile, saw his second run in Houston end on a sour note. Verlander, now with San Francisco, posted a 5.48 ERA last season, an injury-filled one that saw him get left off the Astros’ postseason roster.

What to Expect in 2025

The Astros should be able to withstand their pitching losses. Houston’s got a deep rotation, headlined by Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, and Ronel Blanco. Their bullpen, which still has Josh Hader, Tayler Scott, and Bryan Abreu, among others, also has depth.

However, what will be interesting is how the Astros’ offense does without Kyle Tucker. Tucker was a pace-setter, someone who can work counts, get on base, and impact the game with his ability to barrel up the baseball.

Houston still has plenty of pop. But, can Chas McCormick rebound to help blunt the loss of Tucker, both offensive and defensively? It can get lost in the shuffle but Tucker is also an agile, solid defender.

Nonetheless, expect the Astros to remain competitive heading into 2025.