The Houston Astros may not have a general manager after parting ways with James Click a couple of weeks ago, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have capable people recommending additions to the ownership.
Looking to increase their odds to repeat as World Series champions in 2023, the Astros signed first baseman Jose Abreu to a three-year deal worth $60 million.
Their lineup is already elite, with Abreu, Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, and Alex Bregman, among others.
That doesn’t mean their offseason is over, though.
The Astros have a couple of key veterans hitting free agency: infielder Yuli Gurriel and reigning American League Cy Young winner Justin Verlander.
Both of them have been crucial pieces in the puzzle since 2016 and 2017, respectively, and contributed a lot in 2022.
The team wants them back.
“’We’re active in the market, we’re not finished. Yuli is in the mix, Verlander is in the mix.’ – Jim Crane,” reporter Ari Alexander tweeted.
“We’re active in the market, we’re not finished. Yuli is in the mix, Verlander is in the mix.” –Jim Crane pic.twitter.com/GIYxsD1saU
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) November 29, 2022
The Astros Could Bring Back Verlander And Gurriel
Gurriel is 38 and declined offensively in 2022, with a .647 OPS.
He is looking for his last payday, but the Astros may not be willing to go as far as offering a two or three-year deal.
Verlander did dominate this year, with 18 wins, a 1.75 ERA, and a 0.83 WHIP in 175 innings, plus his first ever World Series victory in Game 5 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
He is 39, but deserves a multi-year pact and is likely to get one.
Will Houston be the team willing to bet on his long-term outlook?
We don’t know if the Astros will secure both, but they are trying and that’s all we need to know about their competitive drive.
