Houston Astros looking at $20 million bump in payroll

Houston Astros are looking at a bit of a bump in payroll

More from Houston Astros

The Astros could see their payroll rise to as much as $20 million this winter, according to owner Jim Crane.

“I think somewhere around that,” Crane said. “We’re not going to spend it to spend it. We’re going to try to spend it effectively and you know if we need to stretch a little, we’ll stretch a little. If there’s not a good reason to do that, we won’t do that. But you know we’ll continue to move it up.”

A potential rise is contingent on the team’s television issues coming to a conclusion. Comcast SportsNet Houston, which has aired the club’s games since 2012, was in bankruptcy court earlier this week.

“A couple years ago we only got paid half of our rights fees,” said Crane. “This year we didn’t get paid anything and this year hopefully we go back and get something paid for our coverage and it’ll have a big impact on what we’ll be able to spend on the team.”

Houston had just $50 million on its payroll last season, yet goes into the offseason with only $18 million committed for the 2015 season. The payroll will take a climb due to arbitration raises for 1B/DH Chris Carter, C Jason Castro and OF Dexter Fowler.

Crane feels the goal for 2015 is a run at the playoffs, a huge step forward for a franchise that finished 70-92 this past season, the Astros’ best record after three straight seasons of at least 106 losses. He also added that general manager Jeff Luhnow could sign up to three major league free agents to go along with a minor league system brimming with immediate help.

Houston Astros are looking at a bit of a bump in payroll

More from FanSided