Astros News: Ryan Weiss decision, Red Sox & Pirates steal coaches, Lance McCullers Jr.

With the World Series now in the rearview mirror, the Major League Baseball offseason is officially underway, and the Houston Astros are already making moves. A number of Astros players, including Bryan Abreu, Daulton Varsho, and Steven Okert are officially free agents.

Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai, unsurprisingly, decided not to exercise his opt-out and will remain with the organization heading into the 2027 season. What his role will be is undetermined, and Houston's new leadership could always decide to shop him this winter, but he's guaranteed to take home $18 million next season.

Astros decline Ryan Weiss' team-option

Another Astros player who just entered the free agent poll is Ryan Weiss. According to ESPN's Jesse Rogers, Houston declined to pick up the right-hander's option, meaning he'll be searching for a new team this offseason.

This is hardly surprising given how poorly Weiss pitched in 2026. Following a successful stint overseas, his return to the States resulted in an eventual trip to Triple-A Sugar Land. Weiss appeared in just nine games for the Astros last season and posted an uninspiring 7.62 ERA across 26 innings of work.

Astros lose a pair of coaches to Red Sox, Pirates

Earlier this week, the Boston Red Sox poached Astros major league field coordinator and outfield coach Jason Bell from Houston's staff. Bell will serve an the outfield instructor alongside Red Sox manager Chad Tracy in Boston.

But Bell wasn't the only departure from the Astros coaching staff this week. The Pittsburgh Pirates hired Sean Buchanan, Houston's Triple-A pitching coach, to serve in the Buccos' minor-league system next season.

Neither move should be seen as earth-shattering, considering Houston will likely bring in an entirely new coaching staff next season, but both Bell and Buchanan were well respected members of the Astros' family.

Will Lance McCullers Jr. receive a World Series ring from Brewers?

Remember those two games Lance McCullers Jr. played for the Milwaukee Brewers this season? Yeah, neither do we. Nevertheless, most Astros fans probably remember McCullers and Colton Gordon were both dealt to Milwaukee earlier this year in exchange for minor leaguer Jadyn Fielder.

McCullers made two appearances for the Brewers, but was DFA'd less than two weeks after arriving in Milwaukee. And yet, he'll likely receive a World Series ring — his third — since he was part of the active roster earlier this season.

Those decisions are left up to the team's discretion, but seeing as how this is the first-ever World Series win for the Brewers, if a member of the grounds crew raked a leave off the field, they'll probably be included in the celebration.

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