Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are reportedly interested in free-agent shortstop Willy Adames after he spent the 2024 season with the Milwaukee Brewers.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi mentioned the Astros as a potential suitor for Adames on Monday, possibly moving him to third base. Morosi also listed the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves as teams interested in the 29-year-old.

The Astros are interested in Willy Adames — possibly at third base, as I mentioned in this @MLBNetwork segment. pic.twitter.com/80rqAlEDLy

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 18, 2024

Adames recorded a career-high 32 home runs and 112 RBIs with the Brewers last season.

He also racked up 33 doubles, 21 stolen bases and 74 walks to go along with a .251/.331/.462 slash line.

Willy Adames joins the 30/20 club 💥 pic.twitter.com/SxqavpuRQ1

— MLB (@MLB) September 24, 2024

Houston is likely eyeing Adames as a potential replacement for Alex Bregman at the hot corner, as Bregman is also a free agent.

Astros general manager Dana Brown explained that third base is "without a doubt" the largest priority for the team during the offseason and revealed that contract discussions with Bregman have already occurred, per MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.

"We had some really good, productive conversations," Brown said. "We would love for Alex to come back. He's been really good here. He's been an outstanding part of the winning here in Houston."

Jim Bowden of The Athletic projected Adames to land a six-year, $150 million contract in free agency. Bowden also predicted that Bregman would receive a seven-year deal worth $185.5 million.

It's easy to see why the Dodgers and Yankees are reportedly interested in Adames, as they're both attempting to add to their respective lineups and go on another postseason run in 2025 after meeting in the 2024 World Series.

The Red Sox could view the shortstop as a key piece for a return to the postseason, finishing with 78 wins in 2022 and 2023 before reaching 81 victories in 2024.

Even if Adames doesn't want to move to third base, there doesn't appear to a shortage of interest in his services.

Jose Altuve isn't ready for his time as Alex Bregman's teammate to come to an end after the Houston Astros were swept out of the playoffs by the Detroit Tigers in the American League Wild Card Series.

Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's 5-2 loss, Altuve made a public plea to Astros management to re-sign Bregman as he prepares to hit free agency for the first time in his career.

"He gave a lot to this organization," Altuve said of Bregman. "Now it's time for us, as a team, as an organization, to pay him back and make him stay here."

Bregman posted a message on X after Wednesday's game:

Thank you Houston

— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) October 3, 2024

This isn't the first time Altuve has openly campaigned for the Astros to keep the two-time All-Star. He spoke about the situation on Sept. 19 prior to the team's final homestand of the regular season.

"I don't see any chances of him leaving," Altuve said this week. "That might be just me. I really think that, at the end of the season, our front office people, GM and ownership (are) going to get a deal done for him. I don't think—I'm sure—that we are not only a better team with him, but we are a better organization with him. We really need to make it happen."

ESPN's Alden González noted the Astros are expected to present Bregman with a formal contract offer "in the near future."

This season marked the end of Bregman's five-year, $100 million contract signed in March 2019 that bought out his three arbitration years and first two years of free agency.

It will be interesting to see what type of contract Bregman lands this offseason, either from the Astros or another club. He is still a good player, but his offensive production for most of the past five seasons isn't at the level it was from 2016 to '19.

Bregman hit .260/.315/.453 with 26 homers in 634 plate appearances this season. His OPS+ since the start of the 2020 campaign is 122, which is buoyed by a 134 mark in 2022. He still has elite plate coverage, ranking in the 94th percentile or better in strikeout rate, whiff rate and squared-up rate.

Considering that Bregman is represented by Scott Boras, it would seem unlikely he signs a deal with the Astros before at least exploring what the market has to offer. But another Boras client, Matt Chapman, signed a six-year, $151 million extension with the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 5 rather than wait to see what the offseason had to offer.

Bregman and Yusei Kikuchi are Houston's top free agents based on their performance in 2024. Justin Verlander, Ryan Pressly and Jason Heyward will also hit the market, but they wouldn't seem to be as high of a priority given their struggles.

There is a chance that Wednesday's loss marked the end of a significant period in Astros' history. Bregman and Altuve have been the stalwarts in the lineup since the team's run of success began in 2017, resulting in seven straight ALCS appearances and two World Series titles.

Alex Bregman could have played his final game in a Houston Astros uniform on Wednesday after nine years with the team.

The Astros dropped a must-win game against the Detroit Tigers in the American League wild-card series, ending their season and perhaps Bregman's time in Houston. Ahead of his free agency this offseason, Bregman posted a message on social media that seemed to indicate that he's on his way out.

"Thank you Houston," he wrote on X.

Thank you Houston

— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) October 3, 2024

Bregman has been a cornerstone of the organization for nearly a decade, helping the team reach four World Series and win two. In the eyes of his teammate, veteran second baseman Jose Altuve, his departure from Houston would upend the team, though Altuve has faith he won't leave.

"I don't want to think about my last game with Breggy," he said after the loss, per MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. "I'm pretty confident he's going to be our third baseman next year. We have to. We're not going to be the same organization without him. In my mind, there's not a chance this is the last game."

While there's only so much Altuve can do from a player standpoint, he believes the front office needs to do whatever it can to bring Bregman back.

"He gave a lot to this organization so it's time for us as an organization to pay him back and make him stay here," Altuve said, per The Athletic's Chandler Rome.

Rome noted that Altuve said he plans to deliver that message to Astros owner Jim Crane.

Per Chron's Michael Shapiro, Houston general manager Dana Brown said he and Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, plan to have some "good conversations" this offseason and that he would "love for" Bregman to stay with the Astros.

Houston will need to put together an enticing deal for Bregman, though. He had 26 homers, 75 RBI and a .260 batting average in 2024 and is likely to get plenty of offers this winter.

Bregman's message on social media seems to prelude his Houston exit, but there's a long offseason ahead that could see the Astros retain the veteran who has been of great value over the past nine seasons.

Wednesday's American League wild-card matchup between the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros was a prime example that money doesn't always equal wins.

The Tigers' entire 26-man wild-card roster has a combined salary of $18.8 million, which is less than the sole salary of Astros reliever Josh Hader, who makes $19 million a year.

ABSOLUTELY INSANE! MOTOWN MAGIC, BABY! 🐅 pic.twitter.com/9MwumOxei6

— theScore (@theScore) October 2, 2024

Kenta Maeda's $14 million takes up the bulk of the Tigers' payroll and just three other players make more than $1 million annually, per Spotrac.

Despite the payroll disparity, Detroit downed Houston 5-2 on Wednesday to advance to the American League Division Series. Hader pitched 1.1 innings, allowing three hits, an earned run and a walk.

The Tigers had a miraculous finish to the regular season, winning 15 of their last 21 games to ensure a spot in the postseason. The playoff berth marked their first since 2014 when they won the AL Central and reached the divisional series.

After winning its wild-card series against the Astros, Detroit will now take on the No. 2-seeded Cleveland Guardians in the divisional series.

While Cleveland has been one of the best teams in the American League this season, there's no denying the momentum the Tigers have, and they'll look to continue their magical run on Saturday.

The Houston Astros' season is over after a 5-2 home loss to the Detroit Tigers Wednesday capped a two-game American League Wild Card Series sweep.

After the defeat, Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander told reporters he's not ready to retire just yet, mentioning his desire to continue pitching and competing.

Justin Verlander was asked by @kristieAP about his mindset for his future in baseball.

“I definitely feel like I want to pitch and compete, and I’m not ready to step away yet.”#Relentless | @espn975 pic.twitter.com/u48xFZk2MS

— Paul Gallant (@GallantSays) October 2, 2024

The 2024 season was a tough one for Verlander, who turns 42 years old in February. He began the year on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation but returned and posted a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts.

However, Verlander went back on the IL in June due to lingering neck discomfort and missed two-and-a-half months. He struggled in his final seven starts with an 8.10 ERA. Houston left him off the roster for the AL Wild Card Series.

Verlander ultimately finished the year with a 5-6 record, a 5.48 ERA (1.38 WHIP) and 7.4 K/9 rate over 17 starts (90.1 innings). He will enter free agency next season.

When healthy, Verlander has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this century. The future Hall of Famer is a nine-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner who also won the 2011 American League MVP award. The 20-year veteran is a two-time ERA title winner and a two-time World Series victor as well.

Verlander is two years removed from one of his best seasons, when he went 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA (0.83 WHIP) and an MLB-best (and career-best) 218 ERA+ in 2022, which ended with Houston winning the World Series. It was an incredible feat for Verlander in his age-39 season, especially after missing all of 2021 due to Tommy John surgery. He still fared well in 2023, going 13-8 with a 3.22 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

It's certainly possible that a healthy offseason and spring training allows Verlander to push past 2024 and find success once again. At any rate, Verlander clearly doesn't want to end his career on a down note and will look to return strong in 2025.

For the first time since 2005, the Houston Astros have been swept out of the MLB playoffs.

The American League West champions fell 5-2 to the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series.

After their offense mustered little for the second day in a row, the Astros briefly turned the game on its head in the seventh inning.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, pinch hitter Jon Singleton grounded to first and Spencer Torkelson was unable to make a clean throw home, which allowed Victor Caratini to score. Then Jeremy Peña took advantage of Matt Vierling's brief moment of hesitation while fielding a fly ball to tag up from third to give Houston a 2-1 lead.

The @Astros take the lead in the 7th! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/NpQepFzbKO

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2024

Minute Maid Park was rocking and some fans might've been making their plans for Game 3 on Thursday. It didn't take long for the good vibes to fade.

Detroit tied it up on a wild pitch by Ryan Pressly in the top of the eighth. Then with the bases loaded and two outs, Andy Ibáñez hit a three-run double down the left-field line.

ANDY IBÁÑEZ CLEARS THE BASES!

THE GRITTY TIGS!!! pic.twitter.com/D0eYmY8Mjj

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2024

It was a stunning turn for the Astros, who have remained so poised in the postseason over the last decade. That Josh Hader, Houston's big offseason signing, allowed the pivotal hit was all the more surprising—or maddening depending on your perspective.

The Astros paid Josh Hader $19 million this season to ensure that Andy Ibanez didn’t clear the bases in the 8th inning of an elimination game.

— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) October 2, 2024

Astros Josh Hader: $19M salary in 2024 https://t.co/NfNi9kCcgi

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 2, 2024

$95M for Josh Hader for 5 years.

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) October 2, 2024

Josh Hader was right, he can’t go 4 outs

— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) October 2, 2024

Sean Guenther pitched a 1-2-3 eighth for the Tigers and Will Vest completed the save in the ninth. And just like that, Houston's dynastic run may be drawing to a close.

The Astros gained their fair share of detractors over the years, so the schadenfreude from Wednesday's loss was palpable.

“Dad, tell me about the Astros lead in Game 2 for that half inning?”
https://t.co/YZ8t0dienN

— biev 🦫 (@shadybiev) October 2, 2024

Hader blowing the season for the Astros???? pic.twitter.com/jyQNoyytLH

— Devine Sports Gospel (@DevineGospel) October 2, 2024

AJ Hinch. The man who created and ended the Dynasty.

Heck of a run by the Astros. pic.twitter.com/6WBFBCyzGo

— Dylan Delgatto (@DDelgattoNFL) October 2, 2024

Josh Hader just blew an elimination game for the Astros. pic.twitter.com/3Z63gBCozz

— Connor (@23cmcpadres) October 2, 2024

Fans of 29 MLB teams watching the Astros get eliminated by the Tigers pic.twitter.com/yujZ7gPBXI

— Sopranos World (@SopranosWorld) October 2, 2024

Back to back successful Astros hate watches pic.twitter.com/uuJsjKOOcW

— kyle (@knicks_tape99) October 2, 2024

https://twitter.com/liannananners/status/1841585506767012167

Rangers won as many playoff games as the Astros this year…? pic.twitter.com/cL9VBWZoW6

— Slightly Biased (@BiasedSlightly) October 2, 2024

The Houston Astros won as many playoff games in 2024 as the Seattle Mariners.

— Ty Dane Gonzalez (@TyDaneGonzalez) October 2, 2024

The Astros now embark on an uncertain future.

As much as Houston defied the skeptics who said it was no longer a contender, the franchise's long-term outlook hasn't changed all that much. Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander are headed for free agency. Jose Altuve will turn 35 next May. The intrigue surrounding the front office could again return to the fore as general manager Dana Brown weighs what to do with Bregman and Verlander along with any outside targets.

This postseason carried a higher level of urgency for the Astros compared to the past few years. Going from World Series champions to losing in the ALCS and then getting swept in the Wild Card Series certainly matches the trajectory of a dynasty in decline.

Following a tumultuous 2024 campaign that was beset by injuries and will go down as one of the worst statistical seasons of his legendary career, Houston Astros veteran starting pitcher Justin Verlander will begin the postseason watching from the bench.

Per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Verlander did not make the Astros' roster for the AL Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers.

Our ALWC Roster. #Relentless pic.twitter.com/nyfoBsJZFp

— Houston Astros (@astros) October 1, 2024

Per MLB.com, Houston's roster includes 11 pitchers and 15 position players, with Verlander listed on the taxi squad.

"Verlander is a professional," general manager Dana Brown said. "He's been in the game a long time. And, you know, ultimately, he wants to do what's best for the club. And so I thought that from talking to Joe [Espada], the conversation went very well."

Verlander was placed on the injured list to start the 2024 season due to shoulder inflammation. After returning to action in April, he was placed back on the injured list two months later with a neck issue before coming back in August. In all, he made 17 starts and went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP and 74 strikeouts in 90.1 innings pitched.

The 41-year-old recently admitted that he should've taken more time to recover over the summer.

"I think I came back from the neck injury a little fast," he said, per ESPN. "Obviously I know the schedule, I know the calendar, and I want to be an asset for this team and to do that I need to be able to pitch and find out where I'm at. Obviously, the results have not been good, but there's nothing you can do besides trying to pitch."

The Astros are sending left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound in Tuesday's Game 1 against the Tigers as they begin their eighth straight playoff run. This is the first time Houston is playing in the wild-card round since 2020.

The Houston Astros remain inevitable in the American League after clinching their eighth straight postseason berth.

Houston punched its ticket with Tuesday's 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. In addition to clinching a playoff berth, the Astros also clinched the AL West for the fourth straight season.

INEVITABLE! 🫰

The @astros have won the AL West for the 4th straight season! 💫 pic.twitter.com/geXN74j3AM

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 25, 2024

Here are the updated playoff standings and potential matchups through Tuesday's games (as of 10:40 p.m. ET).

Projected American League Playoff Matchups

• First-round bye: No. 1 New York Yankees, No. 2 Cleveland Guardians
• Wild Card Series: No. 3 Houston Astros vs. No. 6 Detroit Tigers, No. 4 Baltimore Orioles vs. No. 5 Kansas City Royals
  

Projected National League Playoff Matchups

• First-round bye: No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers, No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies
• Wild Card Series: No. 3 Milwaukee Brewers vs. No. 6 New York Mets, No. 4 San Diego Padres vs. No. 5 Arizona Diamondbacks
  

Current Standings

AL East

1. New York Yankees (92-65)*
2. Baltimore Orioles (87-70, 5 GB)*
3. Boston Red Sox (80-78, 12.5 GB)
4. Tampa Bay Rays (78-79-78, 14 GB)
5. Toronto Blue Jays (73-85, 19.5 GB)

AL Central

1. Cleveland Guardians (91-67)**
2. Kansas City Royals (83-74, 7.5 GB)
3. Detroit Tigers (83-74, 7.5 GB)
4. Minnesota Twins (81-76, 9.5 GB)
5. Chicago White Sox (36-120, 54 GB)

AL West

1. Houston Astros (86-72)**
2. Seattle Mariners (81-77, 5 GB)
3. Texas Rangers (74-82, 11 GB)
4. Oakland Athletics (67-89, 18 GB)
5. Los Angeles Angels (63-93, 22 GB)

AL Wild Card

1. Baltimore Orioles (+4 Games)*
2. Detroit Tigers (-)
3. Kansas City Royals (-)
4. Minnesota Twins (2 GB)
5. Seattle Mariners (2.5 GB)
6. Boston Red Sox (3.5 GB)
7. Tampa Bay Rays (5 GB)

NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies (93-65)**
2. New York Mets (87-70, 5.5 GB)
3. Atlanta Braves (86-71, 6.5 GB)
4. Washington Nationals (69-88, 23.5 GB)
5. Miami Marlins (58-99, 34.5 GB)

NL Central

1. Milwaukee Brewers (90-67)** 
2. Chicago Cubs (81-77, 9.5 GB)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (79-77, 10.5 GB)
4. Cincinnati Reds, (76-82, 14.5 GB)
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (73-84, 17 GB)

NL West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-63)*
2. San Diego Padres (90-66, 3 GB)
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (87-70, 6.5 GB)
4. San Francisco Giants (78-79, 15.5 GB)
5. Colorado Rockies (60-96, 33 GB)

NL Wild Card

1. San Diego Padres (+3 Games)
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)
3. New York Mets (-)
4. Atlanta Braves (1 GB)

*Denotes clinched playoff spot

**Denotes clinched division

This season was more of a struggle than the Astros have had since this run of success began in 2017. They appeared to be in trouble for most of the first half with a 33-40 record and facing a 10-game deficit in the AL West on June 18.

Since then, the Astros have looked like arguably the best team in the AL. They surpassed the Seattle Mariners atop the division on July 20 and haven't looked back.

Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker and Jose Altuve have carried most of the load for the lineup. They have combined for 78 homers. Tucker's return on Sept. 6 after missing three months due to a fractured bone in his shin came at a perfect time for their playoff push.

Even though the rotation doesn't have the depth it has in previous years, the top remains a problem for opposing teams in a playoff series. Framber Valdez has a 2.91 ERA. Ronel Blanco, a 30-year-old who had a total of 24 MLB appearances prior to 2024, has a 2.88 ERA and 1.10 WHIP.

Hunter Brown, who posted a 5.09 ERA in 29 starts last year, has a 3.49 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 170 innings.

The formula is in place for the Astros to make another deep postseason run. They have made it to the ALCS in each of the past seven years, with four World Series appearances and two titles during that span.

The Houston Astros will retire the team's "Space City" uniform at the end of the 2024 season and wear the jerseys for the final time on Monday, the team announced.

The Last Mission.

Tomorrow we will will have an opportunity to clinch the AL West while wearing our Space City uniform for the final time. We will retire these uniforms and launch a new City Connect in the 2025 season.https://t.co/A7t8QGgsQ8 pic.twitter.com/m47eAOq1ND

— Houston Astros (@astros) September 23, 2024

The uniforms debuted in 2022 and have been used by the team ever since. Houston also announced plans to reveal a new City Connect jersey for the 2025 season.

The Astros have a record of 85-71, good enough for the No. 1 spot in the AL West.

Houston will attempt to clinch a postseason spot before the end of its final homestand of the regular season, hosting the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series starting on Monday night.

The Astros' Space City jerseys have been among the most well-received City Connect uniforms since the release, with Houston defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series during the season that they were added. In fact, the jersey debut in April 2022 represented the best sales launch of all nine teams to unveil their City Connect uniforms to begin the year.

Houston typically wears the alternate uniform on Monday home games, finishing with an all-time record of 13-12 in the Space City jerseys prior to their final appearance (h/t Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle).

The Astros have a strong chance to clinch their eighth consecutive postseason berth, needing a win over the Mariners to secure a spot on top of the division. Manager Joe Espada's team has excelled since the All-Star break, owning a record of 35-25.

Fans will have one last chance to view the Space City uniforms in the regular season as Houston attempts to claim another division title. The Astros will face off against Seattle at 8:10 p.m. ET.

After another rough start that raised his ERA to 5.55, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander admitted he probably rushed his comeback from a neck injury that kept him out for two months earlier this season.

Verlander told reporters after Friday's 9-7 win over the Los Angeles Angels he came back from the injury "a little fast" because he wanted to prove his value for an Astros team that is closing in on another playoff berth.

"I think I came back from the neck injury a little fast," he said. "Obviously I know the schedule, I know the calendar and I want to be an asset for this team and to do that I need to be able to pitch and find out where I'm at. Obviously, the results have not been good, but there's nothing you can do besides trying to pitch."

The Astros placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list on June 18 due to neck discomfort. Manager Joe Espada said at the time the three-time Cy Young winner attempted to pitch through it, but the issue wasn't getting any better.

Verlander had a 3.95 ERA through 57 innings in 10 starts at the time he went on the IL. He has made six starts since being activated off the IL. His ERA in that span is 8.89 with 39 hits allowed, 18 strikeouts and 10 walks in 27.1 innings.

Friday night saw Verlander give up six runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings against the Los Angeles Angels. The Astros were able to hang on for a 9-7 win thanks to the bullpen allowing just one run in 4.1 innings of work.

Houston's magic number to win the AL West is down to four, but Verlander's struggles do raise a lot of questions about whether or not he should start a playoff game if the team gets in.

Framber Valdez, Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown and Yusei Kikuchi seem like locks at this moment to fill out the Astros' playoff rotation. Verlander and Spencer Arrighetti (4.68 ERA in 20 starts) are likely vying for the last spot, assuming Espada decides to use a five-man rotation in October.

Verlander's 5.55 ERA is more than two runs higher than his career mark (3.30). This will be the first season he finished with an ERA over 4.00 since 2014 (4.54).