The Nationals and Cubs have gotten a lot of attention in recent days for making significant additions. Throughout the offseason, the Dodgers, White Sox, Blue Jays and Padres have also received acclaim — and rightfully so — for their roster overhauls. But what about the Houston Astros?
Have the Astros’ offseason moves flown under the radar because not very much is expected from them? Houston improved from 51 to 70 wins last season, escaping last place and a run of 100-loss seasons for the first time in four years. General manager Jeff Luhnow may not yet have a club ready to disrupt the hierarchy in the AL West. The Mariners, Angels and Athletics figure to finish in the division’s top three spots. But this team is taking on the look of one that can be extremely competitive this season.
Prior to signing outfielder Colby Rasmus, along with the rumored addition of pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, the Astros’ renovation project was worthy of notice. Luhnow has replaced half of Houston’s everyday lineup, making deals to add Evan Gattis in left field and Luis Valbuena at third base, while signing free agent shortstop Jed Lowrie. After Dexter Fowler was traded to the Cubs for Valbuena and pitcher Dan Straily, Rasmus appears to be the favorite to take over in center field. (However, there is also talk that George Springer might move from right field to center. The team has yet to decide.)
The Astros will also have a slightly different look behind the plate, acquiring Hank Conger from the Angels in November to pair with Jason Castro. Carlos Corporan was designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room for Rasmus on the 40-man roster, but has been traded to the Rangers.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 07: Ryan Vogelsong #32 of the San Francisco Giants picthes in the first inning against the Washington Nationals during Game Four of the National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 7, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
On the pitching side, two spots in the Houston rotation could be filled with new arms. Straily might work in the bullpen (or begin the season at Triple-A Fresno), but is one year removed from going 10-8 with a 3.96 ERA in 27 starts for the A’s, striking out 124 batters in 152.1 innings. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal has reported that the Astros are pursuing free agent Ryan Vogelsong. The 37-year-old was in Houston on Tuesday for a physical, which seems like the precursor to signing a contract.
While Vogelsong is coming off two subpar seasons for the Giants (going 8-13 with a 4.00 ERA last year), he made 32 starts in 2014 — more than any of the Astros’ incumbent starting pitchers. He also threw 184.2 innings, which would have ranked second among Houston starters last season. (Although it’s probably worth asking if he’ll be able to shoulder that kind of workload pitching in the AL.) He and Scott Feldman would provide a durable, veteran presence in the Astros’ rotation. Between those two and presumed No. 1 starter Dallas Keuchel, who had a breakthrough 2014, Houston could have three starters who can throw 180 to 200 innings.
Then there’s the bullpen, which Luhnow seemed to feel would benefit from an established (and expensive) closer earlier in the offseason. The Astros pursued top free agents Andrew Miller and David Robertson, a curious move for a team progressing toward a .500 record and therefore on the very outer fringes of contention. Both relievers eventually signed elsewhere, which may have been a fortunate development for Houston.
Luhnow responded by adding Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek. While neither is a capital-C closer, both are established, reliable bullpen arms who strengthen the late-inning relief corps and add to the overall depth of the unit. At the very least, the Astros no longer have to rely on Chad Qualls to close out games, though he’ll probably begin the season in that role. If he falters, manager A.J. Hinch now has other options available, a luxury former skipper Bo Porter didn’t enjoy.
That mindset actually now applies to the entire Astros’ roster. What Luhnow’s flurry of moves make clear is that development time in Houston is just about over. Or at the very least, the team isn’t going to wait while young talent develops. There’s no longer the luxury of waiting to see if Matt Dominguez is ready to be a full-time MLB third baseman. At 24 years old, maybe he can be. But Valbuena provides a more productive player at the position. And if Dominguez beats him out, Valbuena gives the team excellent depth or a piece to move at the trade deadline.
Robbie Grossman? Sorry, Gattis and his home run bat are taking over in left field. Jonathan Villar has been supplanted at shortstop by Lowrie. Jake Marisnick — acquired when Jarrod Cosart was traded to the Marlins — looked like he could be the starting center fielder when Fowler was traded. But with Rasmus now on the roster, the 23-year-old will probably begin the season in Triple-A so he can get regular playing time. However, Rasmus only signed a one-year deal, so a starting spot in the Astros outfield likely awaits in 2016.
More help is on the way too. Top prospect Carlos Correa figures to start in Double-A, so depending on his progress, we could see him in Houston in a year or two. Third baseman Colin Moran (also part of the Cosart trade) should begin the year at Triple-A, which may put him in line for some major league playing time this season, but on track for 2016. And if Mark Appel continues to pitch as well as he did in Double-A, following his controversial promotion after a poor performance in Advanced Single-A, the starting rotation may soon have the true No. 1 starter it currently lacks.
Are the Astros ready to make the jump up to — or even past — the 80-win mark after Luhnow’s roster overhaul? Perhaps it’s a year early for that. But all of those draft picks and prospects are forming a solid foundation, one that’s become more apparent as the front office begins to build on top of it with its recent trades and free agent signings. And with all of the power bats in the lineup, Houston figures to be a far more exciting team to watch, which shouldn’t be undersold. (That could help overlook all those potential strikeouts.)
What’s most important is that the Astros seem much more concerned with what’s happening now than what could happen later. A payoff is within view, which has to be gratifying for all of the fans, observers and executives who have been waiting for Luhnow’s plan to bear fruit.
