5 offseason needs that the Astros need to address before the 2024 season

#2 Rebuild the bullpen

The Astros won the 2022 World Series on the backs of a historic bullpen. Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu are back from that bullpen (as is the aforementioned Montero for far too much money), but Hector Neris, Ryne Stanek, and Phil Maton (injured in the 2022 postseason) are all free agents. Neris especially needs to be back in an Astros uniform.

While the free agency pool ins't incredibly deep, there are a few intriguing relief options. Houston just needs to do it in a prudent manner as they've done when assembling bullpens under previous regimes.

Make wise trades as they did for a guy like Ryan Pressly and they'll be in good shape. Throw $10 million+ per year at a volatile reliever like Montero and they're in trouble.

#3 Address the starting rotation

When Jim Crane operated as GM de facto in the 2023 offseason, the Astros opted not to address their starting rotation. Justin Verlander left in free agency, but Houston believed they had enough with Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, Hunter Brown, and José Urquidy.

McCullers didn't throw a pitch for the entire season, Luis Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery one month into the season, Urquidy missed three months with a shoulder injury, Hunter Brown fatigued in the second half as he soared beyond his previous career-high in innings, and Valdez and Javier regressed mightily from their 2022 form as they worked more than every before.

The Astros did of course trade for Verlander at the deadline, but the move cost them their two best prospects. McCullers should be back in 2024, and Garcia will return from TJ as well, but betting on the health of Lance at this point is a criminal decision.

There are some expensive arms on the market, but there are also some arms like Houston signed for depth in the past like a Wade Miley or Jake Odorizzi. The Astros have a good, even great, rotation on paper.

They just need an innings eating veteran to offer protection from injuries decimating them again.

#4 Figure out the outfield

Kyle Tucker is the everyday right fielder. If Yordan Alvarez isn't the DH, he will be in left. But Houston still has no idea what to do in center, and if Alvarez is in fact the DH, no clue what to do in left.

Chas McCormick split time in center with Jake Meyers for half the season, Corey Julks got 300+ at-bats while Yordan rehabbed, Mauricio Dubón began playing center again as Verlander's "personal center fielder" upon JV's return, Michael Brantley played some left, but only on 10 occasions after Jeff Bagwell asserted he would be ready for Opening Day.

The outfield was a revolving door all season. That can't continue. Houston has three great outfielders in Alvarez, Tucker, and McCormick. Those three should start everyday.

On days when Yordan is the DH, Houston can move Chas to left, they could play Dubón in center, or they could look on the free agent market for an option.

There aren't a ton of appealing outfielders on the market, but a name like Lourdes Gurriel, Yuli's brother, could be a great signing.

#5 Fix whatever is ailing them at Minute Maid Park

For the second time in history, a team with home-field advantage lost a seven game series in which they won all three road games and lost all four home games.

I don't need to remind any of us about 2019. It's easy to forget Houston also lost all three home games of the 2018 ALCS against Boston.

For whatever reason, Houston hasn't been able to get it done at home in the playoffs. In 2023, it carried over to the regular season.

The Astros finished 40-47 at Minute Maid this year. That just can't happen for a team trying to win a World Series.

The batters' eye in center field was blamed throughout the year, and yes it does have some tough sight lines, but the Rangers waltzed into Houston and dropped 20 runs on Houston's heads in Games 6 & 7.

At times they've looked invincible at home during their Golden Era. Whatever needs to be done to return them to those roots, make it happen.