An Idea for 2022 (A quick look at what could be for the roster and payroll)

Looking ahead to next year, though I am not discounting this year at all. The Astros have put themselves into position to put their money where their mouth is and fortify this team to keep the championship window open quite a while longer. With a team payroll dropping below 100 million next season, here is a run down of what "could" be.

Possible 2022 Tax Threshold – $212 million.

2022 Team Payroll (according to Spotrac) – $98.5 million.

Contract extensions and signings in bold.

C – Martin Maldonado – $5 million 2022/Vesting 2023. Jason Castro (signed through 2023).

1B – Yuli Gurriel (signed through 2022).

2B – Jose Altuve (signed through 2024).

SS – Carlos Correa – 6yr/$200 million.

3B – Alex Bregman (signed through 2024).

OF – Michael Brantley (signed through 2022) Kyle Tucker (Team Control in 2022). Pedro Leon (call up).

DH – Yordan Alvarez (Team Control 2022).

SP – Justin Verlander – 2yr/$60 million. Noah Syndergaard – 6yr/$150 million. Lance McCullers Jr. Jake Odorizzi (Signed through 2023). Framber Valdez – $2.5 million ARB 1. Jose Urquidy. Christian Javier.

RP – Ryan Pressley (signed through 2022). Pedro Baez (signed through 2022). Brooks Raley. Ryan Stanek – $2.4 million ARB 2. Andre Scrubb. Josh James – $750,000 ARB 1. Blake Taylor. Enoli Paredes.

Total Team Payroll for 2022 – $189.15 (Correa starts at 30 per and Thor at 20 per for 2022/2023.).

This leaves just over $22 million to shore up any spots, if needed. Of course, Greinke and Joe Smith walks. After 2023, Castro comes off the books while Korey Lee is called up. Yuli will need to be re-upped, which can be done. Odorizzi will be in the final year of his contract that has a player option for 2023. A decision will need to be made on Uncle Mike while the bullpen will be shaken up but still retain young, cheap, arms that can be paired with veteran and possibly one or two high value players.

In the end, the Astros keep a cornerstone in Correa, rebuild their starting staff with 2 power arms that they desperately need, and keep the core intact for another run at the World Series.