Astros Inbox: Bregman's status, rotation plans and more

This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart's Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

HOUSTON -- While all eyes are on a tantalizing World Series matchup between the Dodgers and Yankees -- two teams that have been eliminated from the playoffs by Houston a combined five times since 2017 -- the Astros are already looking ahead to '25.

Coming off their seventh American League West title in the past eight years, the Astros plan to contend again next season, though the team could look a bit different than it has in years past. Third baseman Alex Bregman and starting pitcher Justin Verlander -- two of only four remaining members of the 2017 and '22 World Series championship teams -- are about to enter free agency, and Bregman’s future figures to set the stage on how Houston’s offseason will play out.

Here's what’s on your mind as we enter the final week of October:

Do the Astros have to choose between signing Bregman or extending [Kyle] Tucker? Can they do both? Will [they] do neither? -- mcaldy528
The Astros could certainly sign both Bregman -- who is about to become a free agent -- and Tucker -- who will be a free agent after next season. Houston’s offseason planning starts with Bregman, who’s expected to receive a competitive offer from the Astros while he hits the market as one of the top position players available. Houston has been reluctant to go beyond six-year deals in the past, and that should be no different with Bregman, who will be 31 when next season starts.

Even if the Astros sign Bregman -- and All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve hopes they will -- they will have more payroll flexibility in 2026 with the contracts of José Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly coming off the books. That would allow the club to make a run at Tucker, a cornerstone player who will be 29 years old on Opening Day in '26.

Are the Astros shopping for a SP this offseason? Should they? -- @abeatleshendrix
Starting pitching will not be a priority for the Astros, but that doesn’t mean they won’t sign a starter. Houston will have Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez, Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti to anchor the rotation next year, with Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. perhaps back from their injuries. Cristian Javier and José Urquidy (both of whom had Tommy John surgery) will return midseason, and Ryan Gusto is expected to compete for innings. The wild card in this is Garcia, whose comeback attempt last season was halted and remains a bit of a question mark. If Garcia is not ready for Opening Day, the Astros could be in the market for a depth arm.

The bigger priority will be the bullpen. Forrest Whitley, Tayler Scott, Shawn Dubin and Caleb Ort are out of options, and the Astros could use another leverage arm to help ease the innings load of Bryan Abreu, Pressly and Josh Hader.

How aggressive will the Astros be in upgrading the 1B and CF positions? -- @mrios281
First base depends on what happens with Bregman. If the Astros sign Bregman, they’ll continue to platoon at first base with Jon Singleton and Victor Caratini. Another name to watch is Zach Dezenzo (No. 5 prospect), who the club believes is close to being a key piece in the equation. If Bregman doesn’t sign, Houston could make a run at a free agent such as Christian Walker or Carlos Santana and use a platoon at third base with Mauricio Dubón and a left-handed hitter who can fill that role for relatively cheaper.

In center field, Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers -- both of whom had down offensive years -- will be back, unless they’re part of a trade. Meyers, a Gold Glove finalist, has a bit more value at this point because of his defense and McCormick’s poor season at the plate. If they both remain on the roster, one of them could play left field, but the Astros may try to add a left-handed-hitting outfielder to help with depth and versatility.

With [pitcher Yusei] Kikuchi’s success in 2024, do you think the Astros [will] make a contract offer to him? -- @NessIsBest420
No. The Astros don’t have a ton of payroll flexibility for 2025, so signing Kikuchi when they already have some quality starting pitching depth isn’t likely.

Does the drafting of Walker Janek hint that Yainer Diaz could take over as the team's everyday first baseman starting as early as Opening Day 2025? I imagine the team could use Caratini and [César] Salazar at catcher while spending on 3B, LF, and RP. -- @qnjastros
No. Diaz will remain behind the plate for now, but he will continue to see some playing time at first base, where he wasn’t as good defensively as Caratini. If the Astros moved Diaz to first base full-time, they’d have to go with the combination of Caratini and Salazar behind the plate, which isn’t as strong. Diaz could be moved to first down the road, but not next season.

Janek, the team’s first-round pick in this year’s MLB Draft from Sam Houston, slashed .175/.214/.503 with one homer in 97 at-bats in his professional debut, so the Astros’ No. 2 prospect has some work to do offensively before he’s on the Major League club’s radar.

Does Ryan Pressly meeting the requirements for his vesting option mean he's guaranteed a contract for 2025, or just that an option was activated? I don't understand how the vesting stuff works. -- @0ddba11Sports
Yes, Pressly is under contract for 2025 at $14 million. His option for next season vested when he reached 110 combined appearances in 2023-24. This will be his seventh full season -- and likely his final season -- in an Astros uniform.

Who is our top under-the-radar prospect that few have heard of? -- @IaminSpring
Last week, I wrote a piece about some of the Astros’ under-the-radar prospects -- a group that includes Anderson Brito (No. 8), James Hicks (No. 15), Ethan Pecko (No. 18), Jancel Villarroel (No. 26) and Joseph Sullivan (unranked).