Under the Radar Free Agents the Astros could Target

These are some moderately risky, high reward free agents that would be interesting for the Astros to target if they miss out on their big name targets (Wilson Contreras, Josh Bell, Brandon Nimmo/Andrew Benintendi, etc).

C: Roberto Perez

If we miss out on Contreras, it might be best to stick with Machete as our starting catcher, but Perez would be a decent option for a backup. He’s shown flashes of promise in 2019, but aside from that he’s more of a defensive minded catcher. We might be able to get him on a cheap 1-2 year deal, keep him as a backup and hope he trends upwards.

1B: Dominic Smith, Miguel Sano

Smith has a high average and how’s good discipline at the plate, and he’s still younger than many of the other options, so he would be a better long term option than other options, if that’s what the Astros are looking for. He also has a pretty good glove. The main concern with him is his last 2 years have been pretty poor at the plate, so it’s unsure which version of Smith we would be signing. Sano is basically the opposite of Smith, a consistent power bat since his debut in 2015, his main issues are a low average and somewhat high strikeout.

OF: Tyler Naquin, Robbie Grossman

The Mets used Naquin in more of a platoon role, but he did well in that role. He would make for a solid option in LF. Grossman was great for the A’s in 2021, he showed great plate discipline, good power, and good fielding abilities. While some of those aspects have remained true in 2022, he did regress a bit in 2022 though.

Util: Edwin Ríos

With us losing Aledmys Diaz, and Mauricio Dubon’s hitting ability, and Yuli Gurriel in FA we don’t have any viable utility options left. Edwin Rios’ is main issue is his sample size, in the few games he has played for the Dodgers he has been pretty good, he’s younger (28) with tons of upside and could really blossom into an All Star if given consistent playing time. At best he becomes our everyday 1B, at worst he becomes a good bench/utility piece and a strong PH in the playoffs.

RP: Matt Strahm

He’s honestly a reclamation project. We need a lefty in the pen and should consider making Chafin a priority or even just role with Taylor/Mushinski, but if the Astros can fix Straham like they have done with players such as Harris, McHugh, Montero, and Pressly, then Strahm could make for a good lefty, so far he has had decent control and has done a good job facing both lefties and righties.