The Astros 87 wins were their lowest (non-COVID) total since 2016, which also happened to be the last time this franchise missed the postseason. Will this offseason be about rallying themselves back into contention, or is this finally the year the organization takes a full step back?

A Bright Spot
An Infield Surplus. The addition of Carlos Correa to the mix further complicated an already crowded depth chart, and it could mean the likes of 3B Isaac Paredes, 2B Ramon Urias, and 2B Mauricio Dubon could be on the move this winter.

A Big Concern
Even less starting pitching. Houston is expected to lose ace Framber Valdez in free agency, while four other starters already find themselves on the shelf due to Tommy John surgery. Hunter Brown at the top of the rotation is a bonafide ace, but there are health and consistency concerns the rest of the way down the list.

Related Links
2026 Astros Financials
MLB Offseason Guides

Pending Free Agents

Valdez is arguably the best arm available this winter, and should score a top of the market contract in the coming months (projecting toward a 6 year, $200M deal in our system).

PLAYER MARKET VALUE
Framber Valdez (SP, 31) $33.3M
Brendan Rodgers (2B, 29) $2.7M
Victor Caratini (C, 32) $2.2M
Hector Neris (RP, 36) $1.8M

Option Decisions

None.

Arbitration-Eligibility

Houston carries a laundry list of arbitration-eligible talent into 2026, with more than few being eyed as trade candidates this winter. Abreu, Brown, and Pena should be considered extension candidates as well.

PLAYER PROJ. ARB SALARY
Isaac Paredes (3B, 27) $10M
Jeremy Pena (SS, 28) $9M
Mauricio Dubon (2B, 31) $6.8M
Bryan Abreu (RP, 29) $6.5M
Jesús Sánchez (OF, 28) $6.5M
Ramon Urias (2B, 32) $5.8M
Hunter Brown (SP, 27) $5.5M
Jake Meyers (OF, 30) $4.5M
Yainer Diaz (C, 27) $3.5M
Chas McCormick (OF, 31) $3.4M
Luis Garcia (SP, 29) $2.5M
Enyel De Los Santos (RP, 30) $2M
Steven Okert (RP, 34) $2M
Hayden Wesneski (SP, 28) $1.5M
Bennett Sousa (RP, 31) $1M
Taylor Trammell (OF, 28) $950k

Guaranteed Salary

A down year from Altuve and an injury-riddled season for Alvarez really set back Houston in 2025. McCullers will be entering a walk-year in 2026.

PLAYER CBT SALARY
Jose Altuve (OF, 36) $25M
Carlos Correa (3B, 31) $21.1M
Christian Walker (1B, 35) $20M
Yordan Alvarez (DH, 29) $19.1M
Josh Hader (RP, 32) $19M
Lance McCullers (SP, 32) $17M
Cristian Javier (SP, 29) $12.8M
Nate Pearson (RP, 29) $1.3M

Team Tax Projections

Despite missing the postseason, Houston projects to have been about $3M over the tax threshold for the 2025 season. Will they allow themselves to be repeat-payers despite a roster that might not be able to contend in the AL? The Astros head into the winter carrying a $231M CBT projection, around $13M under the threshold.

Spotrac's 2026 MLB Offseason Previews