Astros salaries from incredible bargains to burning cash

Kyle Tucker – $700,000

That’s right, the guy that batted .294/.359/.557 with 30 home runs, 92 RBI and with an OPS+ of 147 is still making the minimum. This will be the last season of that nonsense though as Tucker has three years of arbitration ahead before being eligible for free agency in 2026.

Someone’s gonna pay mightily if the Astros don’t, but you wonder if the Astros will get ahead of this one and try and get an extension done.

Yordan Alvarez – $764,600

Here’s a number for you: 153. That’s Alvarez’s wRC+ over the last three seasons, the fourth-best in baseball during that time behind Mike Trout, Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis for those with at least 750 at-bats.

Like with Tucker, this number will change in 2023 as Alvarez will become eligible for arbitration. Alvarez’s WAR number will never be through the roof as a mostly designated hitter, but the value is undeniable. Last year I pointed out how little fanfare Alvarez gets from fans and the 153 number and the company in that range backs that up.