My Astros Off Season and 2026 Preview

This has the potential the be the busiest off season in a long time. There is a log jam of players who are good enough to be major leaguers but not good enough to be every day guys here. I would love to see us get some controllable arms, starters and relievers. These are the guys I would look at trading.

Players to be traded: – Brice Matthews – Zach Cole – George Costanza – Chas McCormick – Jesus Sanchez – Zach Dezenzo – Pedro Leon

Zach Cole might be the most controversial of the group. He’s been great over the last few weeks and has been really fun to watch, but I don’t see him doing it over 162. Trade him while his value is up. I also don’t see Brice Matthews being anything more than a below average to average major leaguer.

Players they’re going to have to make work due to contracts: – Christian Walker – Lance McCullers – Jose Altuve

Position players in 2026 are going to change game to game. I don’t see Paredes having an every day position, but I see him playing every day. 1B, 2B, DH, and giving Correa some days off at 3B should provide enough places to plug him. Altuve continues moving between 2B, LF, and DH.

Catcher: – Continue with Yainer as every day catcher – Sign veteran on 1 year deal – Walker Janek starts in AA, would love to see him force his way up to the big club at some point. At minimum he ends season at AAA

First Base: – Not going to be able to move Christian Walker’s contract. He’s the every day guy – Isaac Paredes gets some work there as well

Second Base: – Rotation of Altuve, Paredes, Urias, and Dubon

Shortstop: – Pena. Do not extend him this off season. He needs to stay healthy and show he can repeat his 2025 production

Third Base: – Correa. I think he can have a career resurgence at a less demanding position

Outfield: – Cam, Jake, Altuve, Yordan, Dubon, Urias

Starting Rotation: – Biggest area of need – Brown, Javier, Spighetti locked in – Sign 1 or 2 veterans and/or trade for a controllable guy – Extend Hunter Brown

Bullpen: – Hader, Abreu locked in – McCullers moves to pen as a 1 inning guy

Manager: – Joe has gotta go. I think next year’s club will need a veteran manager due to moving pieces they’ll have to deal with every day.

Dana: – He stays. This is too important of an off season to start over, again. He has brought in some good pieces. Let him keep going.

Astros can be right back in the mix in 2026 with a healthy team and a strong off season. Let’s go get em boys!