The Houston Astros will need to invest financially if they intend to retain their star outfielder within the organization.
There is no question that the Houston Astros continue to maintain their dynasty status, despite being ousted by the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series last season. This setback should not overshadow their accomplishments over nearly a decade.
With two World Series championships and a record-setting streak of seven consecutive appearances in the American League Championship Series, the Astros have enjoyed one of the most remarkable stretches in baseball history.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this era for the Astros is their ability to achieve success with a constantly evolving roster.
Following the departures of star players like Gerrit Cole, George Springer, and Carlos Correa in free agency, the Astros managed to win a championship while nurturing and integrating their own homegrown talent.
However, to sustain this dynasty, they may need to begin investing significant sums of money, a step that owner Jim Crane has been reluctant to take.
In fact, he has only exceeded the initial luxury tax threshold once prior to this season.
As Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Framber Valdez are all set to become free agents within the next two years, retaining this core group could become costly.
Houston’s general manager, Dana Brown, mentioned that they intend to extend offers to Bregman and Tucker at some stage, but there has been no indication of the potential terms of these contracts.
Tim Britton from The Athletic compiled an estimation of what Tucker could potentially receive in his upcoming contract, drawing comparisons to three other outfielders who secured substantial deals of their own.
“This trio suggests Tucker’s market value to be approximately $29 million per year. Let’s secure six free-agent years at that rate (until his age-34 season) and tack on roughly $30 million for the next two seasons during arbitration,” he explains.
This would result in an extension contract totaling around eight years and approximately $204 million.
Given these projections, it’s understandable why trade speculations are beginning to emerge.
When considering Tucker’s potential deal alongside the anticipated contract for Valdez, and factoring in Bregman’s potential return, Josh Hader’s contract, and Jose Altuve’s extension, the Astros are poised to have one of the highest payrolls in the league.
Possibly, the star right fielder may consider accepting a hometown discount to remain with Houston, which would undoubtedly benefit the front office and owner. However, it appears increasingly probable that several key players from this dynasty era may once again find themselves playing for other teams.
