BY MIKE RIFKIN
No matter what or how you feel there’s no denying the Houston Astros have been one of the most successful franchises in all of sports. They won two World Series in the last eight seasons and went to four. But now it feels like the glory days are behind in Houston. The Astros lost their Wild Card series to the Chicago White Sox in two games, the Astros haven’t won a playoff series since they defeated the Twins in the ALDS in 2023. After missing the playoffs in 2025, the Astros did win the AL West, but with a record of 81-81, so it begs the question is it time for some changes?
The Astros are the seventh oldest team in Baseball and according to MLB.COM they have the second worst farm system in the sport. GM Dana Brown was fired in August and I wouldn’t be shocked if Manager Joe Espada is gone as well. So here are two major questions for the Astros : The first is when you breakdown the American League where do you see yourselves and second what made you a successful franchise over the last eight years?
I’ll answer the second question first : they drafted and developed. Important pieces to those teams like George Springer, Kyle Tucker, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman were all drafted in the first round. But they also made fantastic trades, the one that comes to mind is Josh Fields for some prospect named Yordan Alvarez. Now allow me to answer the first question going into 2027 (if there’s a season) I am unsure of where to place the Astros, but depending on who the Manager is that could sway me. But I don’t have them at the top. So if you’re not a World Series threat and if you haven’t won a playoff series in three years and have lost nine consecutive postseason home games, can I really call you a threat? I don’t believe Owner Jim Crane wants to rebuild, so it’ll have to be a retool, ether way I have a few ideas.
- Qualify Jeremy Pena – Pena, the 2022 World Series MVP played in 104 games last season. He posted 22 homers and 56 RBI’S and slashed .277/.325/.477. Qualifying Pena should be a no brainer and if he leaves they can plug Correa at Short or maybe bring back a player like Mauricio Dubon.
- Trade Christian Walker : First base has not been kind to the Astros, whether it’s been Walker or Jose Abreu before that. Walker entering the final year of his deal, may not get a lot back but it’s an idea.
- Trade Josh Hader : Hader had another solid season and still has two years left on his deal. We know how many teams want dominance at the backend of the bullpen maybe teams call on Hader.
- EXPLORE the Market for Yordan Alvarez and Hunter Brown : Let me say the first word again EXPLORE, not definitive. Alvarez, might win AL MVP he won the Batting title and is one of the most feared bats in Baseball. He is signed through 2028, but his trade value may never be higher. As for Brown he is arbitration eligible the next two years, so if a team comes calling that’s willing to sign him to a deal the Astros won’t it’s definitely worth exploring.
Here’s the thing I don’t view the Astros as World Series contenders anymore, unless they do something unforeseen. So if they want to start a mini rebuild or retool, this might be the way.
