Following Ryan Pressly’s trade to the Cubs, the Astros are now under the initial $241 million threshold by $4.857 million according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. While Juan Bello is an interesting prospect in his own right, the trade was made primarily for payroll relief. With that said, it does appear Jim Crane is entertaining the idea of exceeding the first threshold again to bring back Alex Bregman, but the second threshold of $261 million is another roadblock to remember. If Bregman doesn’t come back, I think we’ll see payroll stabilize around its current point. For context, it would still be the second-highest player payroll in franchise history.
As it relates to Bregman, it is a waiting game at this point. The Astros don’t appear intent, from the outside looking in, about increasing their previous six-year, $156 million offer to the star third baseman. Time will tell if the two sides can come to an agreement or if either party pivots in a different direction.
Jorge Polanco, who was rumored as a potential option at second base, also re-signed with the Mariners. These rumors, if anything else, at least indicate that Jose Altuve’s days of starting at second base full time are likely over. That feels like the case even if Bregman signs elsewhere and the Astros don’t make any additional upgrades. At that point, we’ll probably see plenty of Mauricio Dubón at second base with Altuve occupying left field on a semi-regular basis. At least the infield defense with Dubón would arguably be at its best in years.
I do wonder if the Astros will wait out the market a bit to see if they can bring in another outfielder, preferably a left-handed bat. Alex Verdugo is someone who I have long thought could fit the bill on a one-year contract. Jason Heyward is another name to monitor. But the cost matters and, again, I don’t think the organization is anxious to exceed the first threshold for anyone else other than possibly Bregman. With that said, any taxes related to the CBT aren’t finalized until after the season. Houston could choose to exceed it, even if by a minimal amount, then see how the season progresses through July before making any cost cutting decisions.
At this point, other than re-signing Bregman or possibly a left-fielder, the Astros seem fairly done with their roster construction up to this point. Even without Pressly, I don’t think we’ll see any meaningful additions to the bullpen. The starting rotation is fairly set, with hopes that Luis Garcia returns early in the season. Other than the outfield and the waiting game with Bregman, the position side of things is mostly settled. But other than Bregman, I wouldn’t anticipate any additional moves of significance. Of course, I thought something similar last year before Josh Hader was surprisingly signed, so never say never with this club.