Houston Astros: 16 Astros Resolutions for 2016

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Which of these New Year’s resolutions will the Houston Astros be able to keep up with?

Jun 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Houston Astros manager A. J. Hinch looks at his team playing against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Astros came out of nowhere last season to make the playoffs and come within six outs of advancing to the American League Championship Series versus the Blue Jays. The Royals eventually beat the Astros and rolled through the Blue Jays and Mets to win the World Series after falling short versus the Giants. The Astros have a great nucleus of players that should keep the Astros in contention for at least a window of five years.

The Astros should try to avoid some of the mistakes that the Angels did by signing Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols to long term deals. While Pujols was able to bounce back, the fact that the Angels are still paying a large amount of Hamilton’s contract to play for the Rangers. I am not saying the Astros should not sign a premium free agent; they just need to be smart with who they choose.

With that being said, some of the writers at CTH came up with 16 Astros resolutions that are related to some of the most common resolutions that people make every year and break. Let’s take a look at some Astros New Year’s resolutions and you can tell us which ones they will actually keep up with.

Begin slideshow below…

Next: #16: Tell someone you have feelings for them

#16: Tell someone you have feelings for them

Oct 28, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; ESPN reporter Lindsay Czarniak (left) interviews Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (right) before game two of the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

National Media, Where is the love!

By: Colin Gay

With the improvement of this Astros team this past season, the national media attention for this team increased some, but not as much as we Houstonians would have hoped. So, the final New Year’s resolution is to rekindle the old flame between the national media, especially ESPN, and the Houston Astros.

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Before the playoffs, the Astros had seven games nationally televised by ESPN last season. In these games, in which they finished 5-2 in, five of the games were after August 23^rd. This was the point in which the national media opened their eyes to the fact that the Astros were a contending team. The Astros were a part of the Opening Day quadruple header on ESPN when Keuchel shut out Kluber of the Cleveland Indians 2-0.

With this team on the rise, the national media has brought some attention to this Astros team. As of December 29^th, 2015, the Astros have eight games nationally televised by ESPN, Fox Sports 1, or Fox in 2016. This includes the Opening Day matchup against the Yankees on April 4^th and on April 24^th against the Red Sox, which will be the fist Sunday Night Baseball appearance for the Astros since Opening Day of 2013 against the Texas Rangers. These nationally televised games are sure to increase based on the performance of this ball club.

With the national media attention it deserves, the Astros hope to take advantage of the increased exposure.

Next: #15: Leave work on time and stop working late hours

#15: Leave work on time and stop working late hours

Oct 14, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Tony Sipp heads for the dugout after being relieved in the 7th inning against the Kansas City Royals in game five of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Increase bullpen efficiency to lock down the 9th inning

By: Colin Gay

As the American League’s worst bullpen in 2014, the Houston Astros had nowhere to go but up. They actually thrived in 2015 as the fourth best bullpen in the AL. However, if the Astros want to become a contender in the playoffs, a New Year’s resolution still has to be improving your bullpen.

The talent is there. The trade for Ken Giles a couple of weeks ago answered the need for lights out closer. It’s not that Luke Gregerson was bad. Last season in his first year as an Astro and as a full-time closer, he finished with a 3.10 ERA and 31 saves in 36 opportunities. Gregerson also finished with his best WHIP (walks and hit per innings pitched) since 2010 with .951.

However, this goes to show what one game can do to revamp an entire bullpen. That game was Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the team with the AL’s best bullpen, the eventual 2015 World Series champion, the Kansas City Royals. After the Astros had led 6-2 in the eighth inning, the Royals scored five times off of relievers Will Harris, Tony Sipp, and Gregerson. To top it all off, Josh Fields gave up an Eric Hosmer two-run homer in the ninth to seal the deal.

Although they have improved the bullpen drastically this past season, the Astros have already found the answer to lock down the ninth. Even though they didn’t look so good in that Game 4, this bullpen, with Giles, should be much improved next season.

Next: #14: Spend more time with your kids

#14: Spend more time with your kids

A.J. Reed playing first. Photo Credit by Tammy Tucker

Don’t be afraid to call up prospects

By: Elliott Jenkins

Even after trades that included a former first-overall pick in Mark Appel, the Astros’ farm system is still well-stocked. Jeff Luhnow has wisely acquired players that will help the Astros win now and in the future without giving up substantial prospects. The days over overpaying for iffy veterans are over. And, as indicated by the Jed Lowrie/Brandon McCarthy swap and the Jonathan Arauz inclusion, Luhnow is making moves to re-stock the farm system while depleting it.

#13: Have more friends over

Oct 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Fans cheer for Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) during the fifth inning

in game four of the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park. Correa hit an RBI double in the at-bat. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Reach out and win back more Astros fans

By: Eric Huysman

The Astros are reaching out to try to get more fans into the ballpark. As Reid Ryan said last year, they are trying to bring the family back to the ballgame. While attendance in Houston started going up as a result of the way the Astros were playing, they still finished 22 overall in attendance with 2,153,585 fans to walk through the doors of MMP in 2015.

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In 2014, the Astros were 26th in the league with 1,751,829 fans that walked through the doors, but part of that spike was the budding stars in McHugh, Keuchel, and Springer. In 2013, the Astros were 27th in attendance with 1,651,883 fans. The Astros, through the ‘Process’ of sucking for four years really turned some fans away from baseball. Maybe with the success in 2015 and the playoffs, the love for baseball is slowly returning to Houston.

Why is it more important for more fans to attend games? When the attendance level is reaching a certain point, the Astros will be able to raise their payroll and be in the discussion with some more of the top big dollar free agents. I got my full season ticket package for this season, have you?

Why have such a big house if you can’t have 35k friends over each game?

**Attendance stats from ESPN**

Next: #12: Exercise more often

#12: Exercise more often

May 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (left) and center fielder Dexter Fowler (right) dance in the dugout before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Continue the dugout celebration and Club Astros

By: Elliott Jenkins

The first time you saw it, you were hooked. The strobe lights, the dancing, the music that ROOT Sports hoped was clean enough to air. The pure joy of a bunch of kids outplaying their expectations. The rekindled love of the game from veterans who had been to more than their fair share of clubhouses. A physical and tangible representation that said, like it or not, the Astros are here to stay.

#11: Save more money

Sep 15, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh (31) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Continue to Focus on Under-the-Radar Acquisitions

By: Elliott Jenkins

Despite calling the 4^th largest city in America their home, the Houston Astros are a small market team. They simply do not have the financial means to bid on free agents at the same level that the Los Angeles Dodgers or Boston Red Sox do. They do not have the flexibility to throw a surprise $276 million at their roster needs like the Chicago Cubs did. The Astros had the second-lowest payroll in 2015 at $63.3 million. That’s $210 million less than the league-leading Dodgers, and almost the difference of the entire New York Yankees payroll ($211.7 million to be exact).

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That is not to discredit the Astros’ spending patterns. They ARE spending, but very carefully. Remember, the Astros offered more money to Andrew Miller than the New York Yankees did. Astros fans trust in the front office’s rebuilding plan.

Think back to the early days of the Luhnow era when Chris Carter was acquired. Carter had flashed a bit of power in Oakland, but for a few years, he was a great fit in Houston’s boom-or-bust offense. In 2014, Carter was tied for 2^nd place in home runs for the entire MLB with 37. He hit only three fewer than the leader Nelson Cruz, but one ahead of Mike Trout and Jose Abreu. Not bad when you consider Chris Davis’s similar track record but dramatically different asking price.

Consider the acquisition of Ken Giles. The Astros were heavily tied to Aroldis Chapman before the domestic violence allegations and turned down substantial prospect packages requested by Cincinnati. But they found their man at a much lower price with substantially more team control.

The Astros’ slowly ascending payroll is indicative that the new era has arrived, but the front office’s approach to acquisitions remains smart. A smaller payroll means more progress in analytics and evolution in scouting, which have become synonymous with the Jeff Luhnow era of the Astros.

Continue to find lesser-known FAs and trade targets.

#10: Reinvent Yourself

Sep 26, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) runs past Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) after hitting a home run in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 9 to 7. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Be the Best Team in Texas

By: Elliott Jenkins

The September series for the AL West. Rougned Odor and Hank Conger in July. With Cole Hamels turning down the Astros trade to just to be traded to the Rangers, it left a sour taste in fans mouths. The 2015 season rekindled a largely-stagnant rivalry between the Rangers and the Astros, culminating in what could have been a Texas-only ALCS. Premature governor tweets aside, both teams played beyond all expectations and sent the division crown to the last day of the season. And both teams will only get better.

Keep in mind that the Rangers were riddled with injuries in 2015. Yu Darvish, Martin Perez, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Shin-soo Choo, Adrian Beltre, and, once again, Jurickson Profar, all spent considerable time on the disabled list. But, the Astros did not have a full year of Carlos Gomez, Carlos Correa, Lance McCullers, Mike Fiers, or George Springer.

The Astros acquired Ken Giles to lock down the 9^th inning. They are also looking to sign another starter and a right-handed first baseman. The Rangers have been rehabbing all winter and have yet to make a big offseason splash. Being the best team in Texas is crucial to making another playoff run in 2016.

Next: #9: Watch more TV

#9: Watch less TV

Jul 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) motions while being interviewed by reporter Julia Morales (right) at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Let Houston watch less prime time TV and more Astros’ games

By: Colin Gay

As we go into the New Year, we, as Houston fans, have a different feeling coming into the 2016 season. There is excitement. There is hope. There is an expectation to succeed. These feelings should change the culture of this Houston Astros fan base. It will, at least for those who remember that there is still a baseball team that plays on Crawford Street. This is why a New Year’s resolution for this city is to become reacquainted with a winning Houston Astros team.

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After the four years long debacle of CSN Houston, fans across the city of Houston have not been able to watch their Astros play. After they went bankrupt in 2013, Root Sports took over and are a part of the four major cable providers in the Houston area. This gives Houstonians multiple outlets to be able to follow these games.

Another outlet that has always been there for Astros fans is on the radio. Radio coverage of the Astros games has come into the limelight again with the passing of two of the most loved play-by-play announcers in Astros history in the original voice of the Astros Gene Elston and Milo Hamilton. With a new breed of announcers on the call for these games, this is just another way for the Houston area to follow their home team.

Whether it be with Bill Brown, Alan Ashby, and Geoff Blum on TV or Robert Ford and Steve Sparks on the radio, the local media is giving this Astros team exposure. Hopefully, this will help fill the stadium in 2016.

If you can’t watch a team on TV, does it really exist?

Next: #8: Give an unlikely person a chance

#8: Give an unlikely person a chance

Colin Moran at bat – Photo Credit to Tammy Tucker @HooksFanTammy

Such as Colin Moran

By: Colin Gay

As we look back to the 2015 season and look ahead to the 2016 season, there are some positions on this Astros club that need to be upgraded. With third base and first base on the top of the priority list, Luhnow, and the front office could go elsewhere and sign or trade for another piece until they find a fit. However, to find the fit at third base especially, the Astros should use this New Years’ resolution: they need to look and find the answer within their organization even if it may be an unlikely candidate.

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The answer for third base is already in front of them. Colin Moran, the sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft and the centerpiece of the trade that sent Jared Cosart to the Marlins, was called up to Triple-A Fresno late last season and should be in the hunt for the starting job come this spring. The contact-happy Moran has consistently hit in the .290-.300 range with a high on-base percentage, which would be a change from the low average power happy third baseman of the past. If Moran fixes his strikeout totals, he should be a fixture at the top of the Astros lineup for a long time.

Even though Moran might not be as big of a name an Astros fan wants to hear in the Opening Day lineup, but he would be the best option to provide stability at a currently unstable position.

Next: #7: Visit home more often

#7: Visit home more often

Sep 21, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) is out at home plate as Los Angeles Angels catcher Carlos Perez (58) applies the tag during the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Make smarter decisions on trying to score

By: Eric Huysman

With Carter and Conger out of the picture, the Astros need to take more advantage of the fresh legs of Springer, Correa, and Altuve to try to get that extra base to get into scoring position. The Astros were fifth in the league in scoring runs with 729 of them. The Blue Jays led the league with 891 of them in 2015 behind that high powered offense. The Astros can’t win 86 games in 2016 and still make the playoffs, so they need to be more aggressive going first to third.

Instead of going for the deep fly every at-bat and striking out, the Astros need to aim for better contact to get on-base, When on base, they need to be carefully aggressive and not make boneheaded blunders on the basepaths. The base coaches have to make better calls based on the situations.

Should the Astros score 40-50 more runs with their pitching rotation, it should be really easy to reach mid-nineties wins or higher in 2016. The offense needs to be more consistent all around, but this team is on the brink of being special.

Next: #6: Try to travel more

#6: Try to travel more

Oct 9, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals players celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros in game two of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

But Bring the Wins with You This Time

By: Elliott Jenkins

The Astros were 53-28 at home, tied for 1^st in the American League with the Toronto Blue Jays. In the National League, only the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers posted more wins at home, while the Pittsburgh Pirates tied the Astros. All five of those teams made the playoffs. Two of those teams made Astros fans very grateful for the 2012 move to the AL West.

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But the Astros were 33-48 on the road. That is good enough for dead last in the American League. The Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics finished 34-47, and the Boston Red Sox finished 35-46. The Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Angels finished 36-45. Not a single one of those teams made the playoffs. Only the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Colorado Rockies were worse than the Astros on the road. Yuck.

The Astros need to improve their road record in 2016. I suppose you cannot do much worse than dead last, but as indicated by other team’s records, even a slight improvement could pay off dividends later in the season. As if you needed a reminder after the Astros’ down-to-the-wire finish last season, every game matters.

Next: #5: Rekindle old relationships

#5: Rekindle old relationships

Sep 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) is removed from the game against the Oakland Athletics in the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t have an Adele moment with Scott Kazmir.

By: Elliott Jenkins

The Astros need to rekindle their relationship with Scott Kazmir. Kazmir was lights out in his first few starts with the Astros, but a horrid September left many Astros fans regretting the deadline deal that brought him to Houston.

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But the Astros still have a lot to get excited about with Kazmir. Jeff Sullivan pointed out that Kazmir has the biggest speed difference between his fastball and his changeup among all starters. He is durable and would fill out a rotation that includes Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Lance McCullers, and Mike Fiers. Kazmir pitches left-handed and has no draft pick attachment, giving him a leg up on other free agent starters.

He could also push Scott Feldman into a long relief role. This gives the Astros flexibility with Feldman, who has an extremely team-friendly deal. Kazmir could determine whether the Astros trade Feldman, freeing up a roster spot for one of the many Astros pitching prospects, or retain him.

Kazmir was born and raised in Houston. He has an opportunity to play in his hometown and potentially become an iconic member of his hometown team’s most defining seasons. He has been to the World Series, but not unlike every Astros fan past and present, is thirsting for his first championship. Re-signing Kazmir could be the final piece of the Astros’ World Series puzzle.

Next: #4: Make better decisions

#4: Make better decisions

Aug 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) attempts to pick off Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez (30) at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

No more boneheaded base running mistakes.

By: Eric Huysman

I’m not going to beat this one to death, but there were some times last year that Carlos Gomez and Jose Altuve made some mental mistakes on the bases. I remember games where the pitcher threw to first base and Altuve made no attempt to go back to first base. The Astros were near the bottom of the league in caught stealing with 48 of them in 2015.

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Several factors could be taken into consideration, that they are aggressive on the bases, or they were just unlucky. Those are not the plays that I am referring to. Instead, we are looking for the lapses in his game awareness that hurt the Astros on several occasions. While it wasn’t really a boneheaded play, Gomez got picked off in Game 2 of the ALDS that prevented the Astros from scoring. It was one of many bad luck plays that caused the Astros to blow that 4-1 lead to lose the game.

The Astros need to find a way to become more alert on the bases in 2016.

Next: #3: Bring your A game to work.

#3: Bring your A game to work.

May 16, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch (14) pats starting pitcher Scott Feldman (46) after he was pulled from the game in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 6 to 5. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Starters need to go deep into games

By: Eric Huysman

This was not really a weakness for the Astros overall where they finished fifth in the MLB in quality starts. A quality start is when a pitcher goes, at least, six innings giving up three earned runs or less. The reason this is a resolution for 2016 is because they struggled to find the number five pitcher going through Roberto Hernandez, Asher Wojciechowski, and Dan Straily.

#2: Be more active

Jul 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Jon Singleton (21) is splashed with water after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Get more action/production at first and third base.

By: Eric Huysman

Houston, we had a problem at first base specifically last year. Following Chris Carter’s breakout season in 2014, he took a step back and more in 2015. Carter and Jon Singleton battled during spring training for the first base job. Even after a good start to his spring, he slowed down towards the end and was demoted back to Triple-A to start the season.

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The Astros traded Dexter Fowler to the Cubs for Luis Valbuena to bridge the gap between now and when Moran or J.D. Davis are ready. Valbuena was a journeyman infielder who had a breakout season with the Cubs in 2014, would have had an even better year in 2015 if it weren’t for the low batting average. Valbuena is not the long term answer at third or first base, but he did show a good ability to play both while hitting 25 homers.

Like Todd Frazier, Valbuena got off to a hot start but cooled off before regaining the confidence towards the playoffs. Singleton in a couple of stints with the Astros showed that he still has not mastered major league pitching like he has Triple-A pitching. He hit .191 with one homer last year with the Astros. The job is his to lose in spring training, but they also have Tyler White and Marwin Gonzalez able to fill in if Singleton can’t hit his weight.

While everyone is getting super stoked about A.J. Reed, don’t look for him to make the team until June or July. If all the options flounder in spring, then maybe this forces the team’s hands, but they want to hold onto him for the extra year. With Carter gone, hopefully, the Astros get more production at first base, but they will be relying on an unproven guy. This will be the biggest thing to watch this spring.

Next: #1: Be more creative

#1: Be more creative

Aug 16, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (bottom right) is tackled by teammates as they celebrate his walk off single against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. The Astros defeated the Tigers 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Find a way to get on-base more?

By: Eric Huysman

The Houston Astros were not the worst in on-base average in 2015, they are in the middle of the pack. When I say middle, I really mean the middle as the Astros were 8th of 15 AL teams and 16th of 30 MLB teams regarding on-base percentage. The MLB average on-base percentage is .317; the Astros were below the average with an on-base percentage of .315. It could be worse; the Astros could have a .300 on-base percentage that the Padres have.

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The Houston Astros finished last season 22nd in MLB with 1,363 hits, 230 of them were home runs. They say that solo home runs are sometimes rally killers because you want to get more runners on base. Maybe the Astros walk a lot with the power they pack, but they were only 12th with 486 walks. This is a free swinging team that needs the OBP hitter in the middle of the lineup.

I am not saying the Astros should have as good an OPS as the Blue Jays did in 2015, but if they can someway get up into the mid .320’s, they will have more people on base when those home runs are hit. The arrival of A.J. Reed mid-June should help.

The Astros should continue to be aggressive at the plate to hit the home runs, but a line drive double will do just as much damage with enough runners on-base. As much as Chris Carter was villanized, he was not the main culprit regarding OPS. You can look at Evan Gattis .285, Carlos Gomez .288, Jason Castro .283, and Jake Marisnick .281. Until these guys step up, this will continue to be an issue.

Next: Astros Prospects: Looking at the top five starters in the system

Which of the New Year’s resolutions do you think the Astros are most likely going to be able to follow through and which one will be dropped? Vote below. Happy New Year’s, let’s hope that 2016 brings Club Astros to your house soon.

**Stats from Baseball-Reference**

**Team stats and attendance from ESPN**

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