The Houston Astros’ 2018 Offseason Outlook

Looking ahead to what needs to be done this offseason for the Astros.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Houston Astros’ 2017 World Series Championship is that the team will be back in full in 2018. Look at the Astros free agents going into this off-season: Carlos Beltran, Francisco Liriano, Luke Gregerson, Tyler Clippard, Cameron Maybin, Rhiner Cruz, and Reid Brignac. Let’s say for now that they all walk in free agency.

Let’s also assume that the Astros’ 25-man roster going into 2018 will be built off of the 2017 World Series roster.

1. C – Brian McCann
2. 1B – Yuli Gurriel
3. 2B – Jose Altuve
4. 3B – Alex Bregman
5. SS – Carlos Correa
6. LF – Marwin Gonzalez
7. CF – George Springer
8. RF – Josh Reddick
9. DH – Evan Gattis
10. BE – Juan Centeno
11. BE – Derek Fisher
12. BE – EMPTY (Maybin)
13. BE – EMPTY (Beltran)

1. SP – Justin Verlander
2. SP – Dallas Keuchel
3. SP – Lance McCullers Jr.
4. SP – Charlie Morton
5. SP – Brad Peacock
6. SP/RP – Collin McHugh
7. SP/RP – Chris Devenski
8. SP/RP – Joe Musgrove
9. RP – Ken Giles
10. RP – Will Harris
11. RP – EMPTY (Gregerson)
12. RP – EMPTY (Liriano)

The empty spots.

The entire starting rotation and starting lineup remain intact. That’s not too bad for Jeff Luhnow. He has four roster spots to play with, and they are all complimentary pieces as opposed to glaring holes or free agent superstars.

BE – EMPTY (Maybin)

BE – EMPTY (Beltran)

RP – EMPTY (Gregerson)

RP – EMPTY (Liriano)

The Astros go into the 2018 off-season with a very familiar shopping list: an elite reliever, left-handed pitching, a left-handed bench bat, and overall hitting depth.

In theory, they could fill all but one of those in-house. Jake Marisnick immediately slides back into the role that Maybin occupied, A.J. Reed can take over as a big lefty bench bat, Tony Sipp is still under contract, Reymin Guduan is a hard-throwing lefty, and there are some exciting outfield prospects in the Astros’ farm system.

Don’t forget about Tony Kemp and Colin Moran, two young left-handed hitters waiting in the wings. Kemp showcased his defensive talents all season long and can play in the infield as well. Moran was tearing up the minors before a freak accident a few days after his call-up kept him out of MLB action for most of 2017.

Free agents?

Plenty of free agent names fit the profile as well. Wade Davis and/or Greg Holland would appear to be high on the team’s wishlist given the bullpen struggles throughout the Postseason. As evidenced by David Robertson, the Astros’ front office has no qualms spending big money on top free agent relievers if the repertoire, age, and contract are just right.

Mike Minor, Tony Watson, and Jake McGee could provide some much-needed left-handed relief. Maybe the Astros surprise everyone and lure Austin resident/TCU grad, Jake Arrieta. Brent Strom and the pitching staff were able to fine tune Verlander back into one of the league’s best pitchers. Imagine what they could do with Arrieta.

Logan Morrison’s sneaky good 2017 season could be worth targeting as well. Morrison has not played in the outfield since 2015, but he can DH and play first base. He will find a team willing to give him the years and starting spot he requests. Carlos Gonzalez had a down year in 2017 but could be a sound left-handed hitting option off the bench. He’ll most likely command a starting role on one of some suitors as well, but perhaps his fellow countryman Altuve could convince him to come to Houston.