Houston Astros' Manager Says New Addition Can Make Opening Day Roster
The core group is still the same for the Houston Astros with their star players back in the mix for the upcoming season, but they'll have some new faces in their bullpen, lineup and at manager.
If the front office didn't do much this winter, they still would have been a formidable team.
That's the way it was looking until they handed out a megadeal to Josh Hader.
The Astros were then able to make a trade for promising minor league player Trey Cabbage that gives them another depth piece.
Across 107 games at the Triple-A level in 2023, the 26-year-old slashed .306/.379/.596 with 30 home runs, 58 extra-base hits and 89 RBI in the Los Angeles Angels' organization.
He got some Major League experience as well, appearing in 22 games.
Cabbage has a bright future and that could be realized as early as this upcoming season.
"We like what we see, we like what we heard from people in the industry and what he’s capable of doing. I think if he goes and shows he can hit for power and cut down on swing and miss, I think he’s got a good shot at making the club," new manager Joe Espada said according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
The infielder will have some competition to overtake if that's the case.
Jon Singleton and Corey Julks both spent time with Houston last season and likely are the frontrunners to make the roster. Others like Grae Kessinger and Joey Loperfido will put their names into the running as well.
Cabbage will need to showcase all the tools of power and speed he has to make the Opening Day roster.
Espada seems to think very highly of their new addition, mentioning some minor adjustments could take his offensive game to the next level.
If the utilityman isn't able to breakout of camp with a spot, he still has some options available.
Either way, it seems like the Astros will be utilizing Cabbage in 2024 with hopes he can be another important piece on their championship caliber roster.
