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5 offseason moves the Houston Astros can make to get back to the World Series

By Joshua Sadlock

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros watches a two-run home run by Howie Kendrick (not pictured) of the Washington Nationals hit the foul pole during the seventh inning in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros watches a two-run home run by Howie Kendrick (not pictured) of the Washington Nationals hit the foul pole during the seventh inning in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Josh Reddick #22 of the Houston Astros runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Josh Reddick #22 of the Houston Astros runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4. Trade Josh Reddick

The Astros have a surplus of outfield depth with Michael Brantley, George Springer, Josh Reddick, Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. Smart teams, which the Astros are, find a way to turn that surplus into an upgrade somewhere else on their roster. Houston also exceeded the luxury tax this year and is set to do so again next year. There should be some consideration given to saving money wherever possible.

Right fielder Josh Reddick is far from the most expensive player on the Astros roster, but there isn’t much justification for paying him $13 million next season. The 32-year-old’s offensive and defensive numbers have been trending downward significantly each season he has spent in Houston. Reddick hit .314/.363/.484 with 34 doubles, 13 home runs and 82 RBI in 2017, but has hit just .260/.318/.405 in 275 games over the last two years with 31 home runs and 103 RBI.

After two years of waiting, it is time for the Astros to give Kyle Tucker a full-time job. The 22-year-old has nothing left to prove in the minor leagues, where he is a career .283/.356/.507 hitter in five seasons with 95 home runs, 382 RBI and 121 stolen bases. Tucker struggled in his MLB debut in 2018, but hit .269/.319/.537 with four home runs, 11 RBI and five stolen bases in 22 games after being called up in September. He was given a more prominent role in the World Series and acquitted himself well.

With Tucker moving into a starting role in right field, Reddick becomes fully expendable, as he is not on the same level defensively as backup outfielder Jake Marisnick. Yordan Alvarez, the likely AL Rookie of the Year, is also capable of playing some left field, and All-Star Michael Brantley returns for another season. The Astros don’t have to move Reddick just for the sake of moving him, but if they can get some salary relief, a trade makes sense and would not weaken the lineup.

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