4 Free Agents Houston Astros Should Target This Offseason
There is not a lot that the Houston Astros need to do with this ready-made roster to get them back into World Series contention.
Seven of their eight positional starters are returning for 2024 with all five starting pitchers back in the mix as well.
General manager Dana Brown knows the group in place and hired former bench coach Joe Espada to take over and keep the momentum going for the foreseeable future.
One area that they need to address this offseason is their bullpen, as three key relievers hit free agency.
So, here are four players that the Astros should target.
Jordan Hicks
This would be the best move that Houston could make. While it would be nice to add superstar closer Josh Hader to this bullpen, they are reportedly operating on a small budget this offseason. Hicks is a flamethrower and would fit in nicely with the high-velocity approach that the Astros have.
Yuki Matsui
Another star Japanese pitcher hitting free agency this offseason. He was the youngest player to ever reach 200 saves in Nippon Professional Baseball and projects to be a late inning reliever in the MLB. His price tag isn't estimated to be as high as the other Japanese pitchers, so he fits into Houston's apparent budget.
Reynaldo Lopez
The right-hander is a very intriguing option for the Astros. He began his career as a starting pitcher, but since becoming a reliever, his ERA is 3.14 across 189 innings thrown. His strikeout numbers ticked up last season as well, making him a viable solution in late innings for Houston.
Nick Martinez
Since having a stint overseas after struggling to begin his career, Martinez has turned into a very solid reliever. After signing a deal with the San Diego Padres in 2022 to return to the MLB, he has posted a 3.46 ERA across 110 appearances. With Houston's track record of developing bullpen arms, the 33-year-old would be a great fit on a short-term deal.
