Houston Astros: Is the “rebuild” complete?

Is The Houston Astros Rebuild Over?

Our editor, Eric Huysman, asked fans to tweet questions in that they would like to be addressed concerning the Astros. With baseball season right around the corner, you can’t help to be anxious and ask questions. I am going to address this one in particular, as it covers big picture and is quite frankly an excellent question.

That is a great question Jim, and it got me thinking. Although the Astros were expected to contend, the timetable was expected by many to be in the 2017-2018 range. Sports Illustrated got some heat a few years back for predicting them as 2017 champs, as many said even that was too early.

Into open arms, the Astros arrived early. As a result of last season’s success, Sports Illustrated made a slight change in their prediction.

I don’t have any inside information to let you know what management is thinking, but I am sure it’s something along these lines.

The absurdly talented trio of George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Jose Altuve along with 2015 CY Young Dallas Keuchel make it look evident the Astros are here to stay. To answer your first question, I seriously doubt management believes 2016 is THE year, but just one of many that will come for this team.

Could I see the Astros reaching the World Series this year? Absolutely. Will they reach their peak in 2016? Absolutely not.

Except for maybe the Cubs, there isn’t a team in baseball built for sustained success like these Astros are. Altuve is in his prime, Correa and Springer have yet to reach theirs, and Tyler White/A.J. Reed have yet to play a game with the big boys. Not to mention up and coming studs such as Derek Fisher, Colin Moran, Alex Bregman, Joe Musgrove’s and many more.

There is no ceiling on how far the Astros can go in 2016, but better years are still ahead. With a farm system still ranked #9 by MiLB.com, this team should be a playoff lock for years to come.

Next: Houston Astros projected 25 man roster

Here’s a cheesy phrase for you “the rebuild is complete because we can compete”. The total rendition of the system by Luhnow has been nothing less than jaw-dropping. The trek is far from over, but it’s unbelievable to sit back and think about how far Luhnow has brought this club in 3 mere seasons. It’s 2016, the Astros don’t rebuild, they reload.

**Editor’s note: Jeff Luhnow would say that the Astros are constantly rebuilding while trying to win the championship. With the financial constraints on the team, the Astros will continue to rely on the farm to replenish the major league roster. The key thing to think about is whether or not the Astros can hold onto all the young star players?**