Once Kyle Tucker, in what we would eventually learn, fractured his shin in early June, the Astros’ outfield situation devolved from one of the better units in baseball, to dreadful to watch. That’s how much Tucker has meant to this team’s production. Well, other than Yordan Alvarez and Ben Gamel for a spell, but we’re not watching the former for his prowess as an outfielder. In the games when Alvarez was the designated hitter, however, the outfield’s offensive production was a mess, with Chas McCormick leading the way with a 73 wRC+ among non-Alvarez options during Tucker’s absence. Alvarez’s bat is the main reason why the outfield, in terms of fWAR, didn’t finish lower than 17th during Tucker’s prolonged absence.
So, yes, it wasn’t a secret that the outfield was a weakness in Houston. Jake Meyers provided his usual above-average defense in center field, but his bat, other than an 85-plate appearance hot streak in May (.924 OPS), didn’t post an OPS higher than .736 for the rest of the season in a single month. Even that tidbit is a bit misleading as his offensive performance in multiple months never exceeded a .632 OPS, with multiple months with a sub-.600 or even sub-.500 OPS. McCormick was subpar at the plate for most of the season, finishing an uncharacteristically low 66 wRC+. No combination of Mauricio Dubón, Trey Cabbage, Cooper Hummel, Joey Loperfido, and Pedro León could even provide a noticeable lift to a struggling outfield. It became so dire that Ben Gamel and Jason Heyward were picked up as free agents in-season and immediately had crucial at-bats.
For 2025, it’ll likely be more of the same. Having Tucker back, hopefully for a full season, will certainly help matters, but it sounds like the Astros are banking on internal improvement. Based on Dana Brown’s comments last week, it sounds like both Meyers and McCormick will be tendered a contract for next season, which isn’t a surprise. Compared to what they’re forecasted to earn through arbitration, it wouldn’t make much sense to non-tender them right now. Barring an upgrade becoming available and considering the lack of depth in the system, it isn’t prudent to toss aside two outfielders with at least some success, however fleeting. Even with a questionable arm, Meyers is the club’s best defensive center fielder. Plus, it doesn’t seem likely that McCormick forgot to hit entirely. While he may not reach the offensive output he produced in 2023 (133 wRC+ in 457 plate appearances), he shouldn’t have another season like he did this year at the plate. Include top prospect Jacob Melton in the discussion, and you can see where Brown hopes to have at least a measure of internal improvement. It is up to debate whether that would be enough, however.
With free agency, I hate to tell you that the Astros aren’t signing Juan Soto. I know, a shock, isn’t it? Sorry, sarcasm isn’t my strong suit. In all seriousness, there are options, but with potential payroll constraints, it doesn’t seem likely that Brown will break the bank on an outfielder with first base and possibly third base warranting more resources. Anthony Santander, even with some red flags present in his profile, would immediately boost the potency of this lineup. But he is already 30 and coming off what is possibly a career season, so I’d caution about throwing a large contract his way. Does a platoon option with Joc Pederson move the needle, even if it presents a weird roster fit with another left-handed, DH/part-time left fielder in Alvarez? Time to start the Michael Conforto speculation mill anew? Again, there are certainly options, but I don’t see much of a fit between opportunity and possible financial constraints. A reunion with Gamel is something to at least keep in mind, if for nothing else than to bolster the depth chart a little bit more. Taylor Tramell, recently acquired from the Yankees, is likely filler on the organizational depth chart at this point, although the Astros are likely to give him an opportunity for on the active roster during Spring Training.
For the third consecutive offseason, the outfield discussion will likely center around Meyers and McCormick once again. Meyers, for all of the criticism, just finished his first full season. But with already over 1,000 plate appearances to his credit, I think we’re getting a better gauge of who he is as a hitter and it isn’t great. McCormick should improve, plain and simple. With Tucker, one of the best in the game, perhaps that is enough for this outfield to become more productive. We’ll find out, sooner or later.