The Houston Astros went through a heavyweight boxing match for them to make it to the postseason. With new signings and departures will the new-look Astros in 2024 change that outcome? The Astros achieved their goal of adding another set-up reliever and a backup catcher. However, they haven’t been able to extend the contracts of Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez, or Alex Bregman. This could prompt opposing general managers to inquire if they’re available for trades. Don’t expect the Astros to make any more big additions this winter. It would be shocking if they did. But, let’s take a look at some of the moves Houston made.
Astros Offseason Outlook
Saying Goodbye
Hector Neris
The 2023 Astros bullpen roster takes a major hit in 2024. Right-hander Hector Neris declined his $8.5 million player option for 2024 last November. The decision makes Neris along with fellow relief pitchers Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton hit the open market. Neris was an integral member of the Astros bullpen in their World Series run in 2022. He followed up that success with a career-best 1.71 ERA in 71 appearances, limiting hittings to a .153 average and a 3.06 slugging percentage.
Ryne Stanek
Following stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Miami Marlins, Stanek signed a one-year deal in 2021. After a steady 2022 season, Stanek’s production was a bit more uneven in 2023. Stanek worked with an ERA higher than 4.00 over 48 2/3 innings. While it wasn’t his best season, he manage to lower that ERA to 1.15, setting a new single-season franchise record for relievers, surpassing Will Harris‘ 1.50 ERA in 2019.
Phil Maton
Maton is the last of our trio of bullpen arms that the Astros say goodbye to due to free agency. While he served the team steadily as a middle reliever for the past three seasons, his role may be the easiest to fill internally. There are a good handful of pitchers already on the 40-man roster. Also, Lance McCullers and Luis Garcia are expected to return before the All-Star Game. Within his 66 innings, Maton posted a 3.00 ERA with a 1.121 WHIP. He kept home runs low at six, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio per nine innings was 10:3.
Martin Maldonado
Maldonado’s last year with the Astros was filled with controversy. The 37-year-old veteran was a key figure during his six seasons with in Houston and has since signed a one-year deal on the Chicago White Sox. Despite a final year slash line of .191/.258/.348 with the team, the Astros made it to the postseason every year, including three World Series appearances and one championship under his lead. Fans clamored for more playing time for Yanier Díaz, the young backup with some pop in his bat. Between the promotion of Díaz and the signing of Caratini, fans will get a chance to see what Maldonado’s impact on the team truly was.
Michael Brantley
The veteran left-fielder called it a career less than a week ago. Brantley hadn’t played after June 26 due to his fourth surgery on his right shoulder. Now, he will head into retirement with gratitude and excitement following a decorated career in which he batted .298 over 10 seasons in Cleveland and five in Houston. Brantley hit better than .300 on seven occasions, including .327 in 2014. He finishes his career with 129 home runs, 1,656 hits, 720 RBI with an OPS of .784.
Dusty Baker
There’s not a lot to say about Dusty Baker that hasn’t already been said. He played in the majors for 19 seasons on four separate teams: Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics. Then, he switched gears to manage the Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Washington Nationals before moving on to Houston in 2020. When he came to the beleaguered team following the fallout of the 2017 scandal, one thing eluded him…a World Series Championship. In 2022, Baker became the seventh person in Major League history to win a World Series championship as both a player and a manager. He also became the third African American manager to win a World Series. After falling just shy of another trip to the post-season classic in 2023, Baker decided to retire.
Welcome to Houston
Victor Caratini
In an offseason of below-the-radar deals, the signing of former Milwaukee Brewers catcher Víctor Caratini is probably the biggest outside of elevating Joe Espada to lead the team as manager. He will join Yanier Díaz as the Astros’ backup backstopper, who was named to the Baseball Digest/eBay All-Star Rookie Lineup. Caratini’s two-year deal brings Caratini to the team having spent previous seasons with the Brewers, Cubs, and Padres. His service time, ability to hit from both sides of the plate, and strong presence behind the plate, make him a good complement to Díaz’s burgeoning career.
Dylan Coleman
One of two signings in the offseason of note for the bullpen. With Cronin coming in from the White Sox, the Astros shored up their bullpen with the signing of Dylan Coleman in a trade from the Kansas City Royals for Carlos Mateo. Originally signed by the San Diego Padres in 2018, Coleman found himself traded to the Royals following the 2020 season. His 2022 season was impressive, registering a 5-2 record and notching a 2.78 ERA. However, in only 23 appearances the following year, he struggled with an 8.84 ERA. With impressive turnarounds in the past from the Astros coaching staff, the hope is that Coleman will return to his earlier form.
Declan Cronin
This right-handed pitcher comes to the Astros off of waivers from the Chicago White Sox. Cronin was a 36th-round pick back in 2019. Since then, he has worked his way up through the White Sox system before finally making his debut in 2023. His first appearance in the majors was short at nine games and Cronin witnessed some struggles, notching an ERA of 9.00 over 11 innings pitched. The Astros view him as a pitcher to take a chance on.
Joe Espada
Espada has been the Astros bench coach since 2018. Following Baker’s departure, Espada replaces the legendary skipper who retired following the 2023 season. With a post-season track record as a coach, the new manager already has his sights set on a new World Series trophy in 2024. As a promotion from within, Espada already has the luxury of knowing the team and how it was built over the years. He brings with him experience from numerous clubs, having spent time in the farm systems of the A’s, Cardinals, Marlins, Rangers, Rays, and Royals.
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