What can the Astros really do? They probably won't sign any of the best free agents unless Jim Crane is ready to keep expanding the payroll. Seems like their best bet is to keep bringing up the young talent from the farm system. I want to see the likes of A.J. Reed (1B), Tyler White (3B/DH), Mark Appel (SP) and maybe even Chris Devenski (SP) challenge for a roster spot this spring.
At beat, I can see the Astros trying to work a trade for a hard-throwing closer or reliever.
They may try to sign a notable starting pitcher in free agency but that's about all I see.
The current starting rotation seems decent enough right now: Keuchel, McHugh and McCullers.
I think re-signing Scott Kazmir or taking a chance on Jordan Zimmerman is a strong possibility.
They will certainly talk with David Price's agent. Just like they talked to Max Scherzer's agent last winter.
But all the Astros ever seem to be is a side flirt. Nothing serious other than driving up the price for other teams.
The Astros rely too much on Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens trying to recruit free agents when money talks....
This was one of the youngest teams in baseball in 2015 that had averaged the most losses in all of baseball for the previous four seasons. They still won the wild card and took the eventual World Series champion Royals to a full five games in the ALDS. They led 4-1, 6-2 and 2-0 in all three games they had lost.
They had the World Series champs on the ropes, six outs away from elimination at Minute Maid Park with their all-star catcher Salvador Perez having to come out of the game with an injury, and still they couldn't close out a 6-2 lead in the top of the 8th. Five straight singles along with a rare error on a potential double play ball hit right to Carlos Correa opened the flood gates (I've tried to erase it from my memory already).
It just seems like winning a World Series title isn't all about signing the best free agents. Just keep trusting the farm system. Jeff Luhnow is using the same blueprint he used when he worked for the St. Louis Cardinals. It may not win you the World Series all the time but you have a good chance to compete for the postseason year in and year out.
What we need now is for A.J. Reed to pan out. This guy could be that power-hitting franchise first baseman we've been lacking since the Lance Berkman and Jeff Bagwell days. If Reed becomes a good player then all of a sudden we'll have a legitimate 1 through 4 in the lineup with Altuve, Springer, Correa and Reed.
Carlos Correa, this kid is special. Just turned 21. The sky is the limit for him. Very impressive rookie season. He may have hit 35 home runs and drove in 100+ RBIS as a rookie had he played the entire season and not been called up in June. Alex Rodriguez had nothing but praise for him during that ESPN interview when the Astros played the Yankees in the wild-card game. He said he'll be one of the players he will watch for a long time when he's sitting at home growing a beer belly and enjoying his retirement. Carlos Correa, for lack of a better comparison, is basically the next A-Rod.
Another thing to be optimistic about is Carlos Gomez. If he's healthy in 2016 that will help. He could barely swing the bat down the stretch and in the playoffs this past year. But he's still signed another year. I hope the Astros can re-sign him even after 2016. Because we have to buy some time until Daz Cameron is ready for the big leagues. Which probably won't be until 2018 or 2019.
Going into 2016 I feel like anything is possible especially in the American League.
I actually think the Texas Rangers will be the team to beat with Yu Darvish coming back healthy (that starting rotation looks deep as can be), but the Astros should be able to compete for another wild card berth and maybe the division if they can stay healthy and the young talent continues to progress.
The Rangers could be very good in 2016. The Angels will likely be good. The Mariners and Athletics should be improved. The AL West in general is looking pretty good for 2016. I think more competition in the division helps in the long run.
I think gaining that postseason experience against the Royals this past year was huge for a young Astros team. They played well in that series and had the lead every game. They just didn't have the experience to get it done. Mostly the bullpen arms were lacking. The Astros bullpen had an ERA over 6 the past two months, including the playoffs. Prior to that they had the 4th best bullpen ERA in all of baseball. April to July.
In a dream world it would be nice to sign David Price but that ain't happening.
I actually believed the Astros would sign Max Scherzer at one point last winter.
The hot stove league is for fans of the high rollers and the big boy teams. The Astros are still at the kid's table right now.