Title: The Astros’ Outfield Conundrum: Options for the 2024 Season
The Houston Astros, after trading away designated hitter Kyle Tucker, are now facing a significant challenge in their outfield. With Jack Myers and Chas McCormick projected to start in center field and right field, respectively, the team is left searching for a reliable left fielder. While Jordan Alvarez can make a few starts there, the Astros hope to use him primarily as a designated hitter.
In this article, we will explore some of the options available to the Astros to strengthen their outfield. We will examine free agents like Jurikson Profar, Alex Verdugo, Jesse Winkler, Jason Heyward, and David Peralta, as well as trade candidates such as Jesus Sanchez, Mike Yastrzemski, and Willy Castro.
Free Agent Options
Jurikson Profar: Profar may be the best non-Santander outfielder on the free agent market. He had an up-and-down career, but his recent performance has been impressive. He hit.280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs, significantly increasing his exit velocity. He turns 32 in February, but the Astros have already made three-year free-agent commitments to much older hitters. In theory, Profar is an ideal choice, but funding may be an issue.
Alex Verdugo: Verdugo has had an inconsistent career, but he has shown flashes of brilliance. He hit.281/.338/.424 in four seasons with the Red Sox, and he’s a plausible rebounding candidate. However, he doesn’t turn 29 until May, and a one-year pillow deal might be more suitable for him.
Jesse Winkler: Winker has the best offense among the free agents. He hit.258/.366/.422 with 13 home runs in 404 games against right-handers, and he’s a career hitter with a platoon advantage. His defensive ability is poor, and he should primarily serve as a designated hitter.
Jason Heyward: Heyward is a strong side option, but he’s better suited for a backup role in his age-35 season. He had a good season with the Dodgers, hitting.208/.289/.393 in 197 games.
David Peralta: Peralta has a similar profile to Heyward. He had a good season with the Padres, hitting.267/.335/.415 in 260 games. The Astros might prefer to bring Heyward back if they go this route, but Peralta has better numbers this season.
Trade Candidates
Jesus Sanchez: Sanchez is a former top prospect who has become a low-end regular in the major leagues. He hit.252/.313/.417 with 18 home runs and 16 stolen bases this season. He’s a roughly average defender and may not have the upside that many prospect evaluators were hoping for, but he would be an upgrade over Trammell.
Mike Yastrzemski: The Giants appear likely to trade one of their arbitration-eligible players, and Yastrzemski seems the most logical candidate. He has had two solid years, hitting.231/.302/.437 with 18 home runs in 474 plate appearances.
Willy Castro: Castro is a switch-hitting utility player with over 800 innings of left field experience. He has had two solid years with the Twins, hitting.251/.334/.395 in 1,044 games. Castro is in the final year of arbitration and is expected to make $6.2MM in salary. Minnesota highly values his versatility and club presence, so they may not be keen on trading him.
Conclusion
The Houston Astros have several options to strengthen their outfield, whether it be through free agency or trade. While some of the free agents may be expensive, others could be had for a more reasonable price. The trade market is also filled with viable options, including Jesus Sanchez, Mike Yastrzemski, and Willy Castro. Whoever they choose to pursue, the Astros must address their left field conundrum if they hope to compete for the AL West title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the top free agents available in the outfield?
A: The top free agents available in the outfield include Jurikson Profar, Alex Verdugo, Jesse Winkler, Jason Heyward, and David Peralta.
Q: What are the Astros’ options in the trade market?
A: The Astros have several options in the trade market, including Jesus Sanchez, Mike Yastrzemski, and Willy Castro.
Q: Can the Astros sign both Profar and Verdugo?
A: While both Profar and Verdugo are attractive options, the Astros may not be able to sign both due to financial constraints.
Q: What is the Astros’ biggest need in the outfield?
A: The Astros’ biggest need in the outfield is a reliable left fielder, as they currently have a hole there with Jordan Alvarez primarily being used as a designated hitter.
Q: Can the Astros sign Heyward or Peralta?
A: While both Heyward and Peralta are decent options, the Astros may not be interested in signing them, as they prefer to focus on younger players.
