Astros free agency: 5 for dreamers and 5 for realists
If Opening Day is the last time every team in baseball truly has hope, the start of the Hot Stove league is the time of year when everybody has an opinion on how best to spend a team’s money.
The Astros were six outs away from the American League Championship Series, giving the World Series champion Royals what proved to be their stiffest test in the playoffs.
Astros owner Jim Crane has vowed to open the purse strings a bit more this winter, but it remains to be seen if the Astros will shop in the premium market, the middle market of the bargain basement.
If the Astros want to go big, here are five players who would be important targets.
Zack Greinke, RHP
Greinke, who started for the National League against Dallas Keuchel at the 2015 All-Star Game, would be a veteran ace who could anchor the top of the rotation and slot in ahead of Collin McHugh and Lance McCullers.
David Price, LHP
Price would fit in nicely in the Astros’ rotation. He went 9-1 after he was traded to the Blue Jays. Although his postseason record leaves much to be desired, the veteran lefthander would give the Astros two impressive lefthanders to lead the rotation. Plus, he and Dallas Keuchel have a good relationship.
Chris Davis, 1B
The slugger is coming off a season in which he hit 47 home runs and drove in 117 runs for the Orioles. He struck out 208 times in 2015, but the Astros have shown a willingness to accept high strikeout totals in exchange for home runs. Chris Carter rallied in the final two weeks of the season and the playoffs to finish on a strong note, but Davis could be a $100 million investment on a proven first baseman for an Astros team that struggled to find consistency at that position in 2015.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF
Cespedes would fit in nicely in the Astros’ outfield. He had 17 home runs and 44 RBIs in 57 games after he was traded to the Mets. He played so well after the trade that some wondered if he was worthy of earning the National League MVP Award.
Johnny Cueto, RHP
Cueto isn’t in Price or Greinke’s class, but the Astros know just how special he is. Cueto threw eight strong innings of two-run ball in Game 5 of the Division Series to push the Royals into the ALCS. He would fit in nicely at the top of the Astros’ rotation behind Dallas Keuchel.
*** The more realistic free agent targets aren’t nearly as sexy, but Colby Rasmus, Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek showed how much a team can improve with solid mid-market signings. These under-the-radar moves could help.
Jeff Samardzija, RHP
Samardzija went 11-13 with a 4.96 ERA with the White Sox in 2015, so he might be a bargain with the potential to bounce back and help give the rotation another veteran leader. The Astros have shown interest in him before at the trade deadline.
Scott Kazmir, LHP
He tailed off tremendously after he was traded to his hometown Astros, losing plenty of value. He might be a good bargain to help buy time until Mark Appel or Joe Musgrove are ready.
Ryan Madson, RHP
At 35, Madson, could be a solid veteran addition to the Astros’ bullpen. He was 1-2 with a 2.13 ERA and three saves while making 68 appearances after missing the previous three years because of Tommy John surgery.
Tyler Clippard, RHP
Clippard would be the type of veteran reliever who can help bridge the gap to Luke Gregerson. The A’s former closer was 5-4 with a 2.93 ERA and 19 saves between the A’s and Mets in 2015.
Colby Rasmus, OF
Rasmus finally found a comfortable home in the majors while on a oneyear contract in Houston. He also proved to be the Astros’ most consistent hitter in the playoffs. He might be the best bargain in the free agent market.