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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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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 27: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrates his two-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning in Game Five of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 27: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrates his two-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning in Game Five of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. Lock up George Springer

The Astros have already taken care of All-Stars Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman with somewhat team-friendly extensions that effectively buy out their prime free-agent years. Aces Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke are under contract for several more seasons. Houston’s core is effectively locked in for the near future. There are only two candidates left on the roster for extensions — shortstop Carlos Correa and outfielder George Springer.

With a chance to pursue a Brycer Harper or Manny Machado type contract when he hits free agency coming off his age-26 season, there is no way that Correa is giving up any of his future earnings potential to help out the Astros. Already 30, Springer is a much more likely candidate to meet the team somewhere in the middle for a long-term extension. The three-time All-Star has continued to build his resume as a postseason legend and is already close to overtaking future Hall of Famer David Ortiz in playoff home runs. He also has Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols in his sights.

Springer was the first big homegrown draft pick to hit it big from the Astros push into analytics. He is a .270/.361/.488 hitter in six years in the big leagues with 160 home runs and 426 RBI. The 30-year-old is coming off the best year of his career, having hit 39 home runs with 96 RBI in only 122 games with a .974 OPS.

If Springer elects to wait until free agency next winter to try and cash in, he will fall in that middle ground of the age curve. He will be entering his age-31 season, hardly old, but also an age where it is difficult to land a five-year deal. Springer can maximize his earnings by locking in a big number in 2020 and getting the Astros to pony up for an additional four seasons. For all their viewing players strictly as assets, Houston’s front office has shown a strong desire to keep their core group together, and Springer is an essential part of that.

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