The Houston Astros are facing a challenging offseason after their early playoff exit, prompting some tough decisions. Following their elimination in the AL Wild Card series by the Detroit Tigers and former manager AJ Hinch, the Astros are preparing for significant changes, especially in their pitching staff.
According to Cody Williams, several key players may not return, including Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander, two of the most notable names who have contributed to the team’s World Series wins.
Bregman’s future remains uncertain despite teammate Jose Altuve urging the front office to keep him. Verlander, now battling injuries, will likely need to accept a reduced contract to continue playing, possibly elsewhere.
Beyond these two, other players are also at risk of departing:
3. Kendall Graveman
Graveman, who was acquired at the 2023 trade deadline and delivered a solid 2.42 ERA in 23 games, missed the postseason due to shoulder issues. His injury history and missed 2024 season make him a risky investment, and the Astros are unlikely to retain him, especially after their large bullpen investment in Josh Hader.
2. Ben Gamel
Gamel was a late-season addition after Kyle Tucker’s injury. While he provided decent at-bats with a .717 OPS, Gamel is unlikely to stay with the Astros long-term as they pursue more consistent contributors for their contending roster. He will likely seek opportunities for more playing time with another team.
1. Yusei Kikuchi
Kikuchi, acquired from Toronto, became one of the Astros’ best pitchers down the stretch with a 5-1 record and a 2.70 ERA. However, as he enters free agency, the Astros appear unlikely to re-sign him, despite his strong performance, due to their rotation depth and a desire to avoid overpaying.
The 2025 Astros will look quite different as they navigate these changes.
