Astros: 4 Different Center Field Routes with Marte Signing Elsewhere

Will the Astros continue to explore the free agency market for center fielders?

With Starling Marte signing with the Mets, there are 13 center fielders left on the market, none of which would excite most Astro fans. Marte was far and away the top name of this class and his signing with the Mets makes this option much less likely.

One intriguing name not listed as a center fielder is Chris Taylor, who started 48 games in center for the Dodgers in 2021 and has started 143 at the position in his career. Taylor is a versatile player with postseason experience that could fill in at multiple positions for the Astros should there be mutual interest.

Taylor has potential to be an Aledmys Diaz type player, when Diaz becomes a free agent after the ’22 season. Conversely, there are projections for Taylor that are similar to those for McCormick and Meyers and some that are a bit more bullish on him.