Houston Astros free agents entering 2021 offseason

Win or lose, the Houston Astros face difficult roster decisions as they end 2021 with nine free agents, including Carlos Correa, Justin Verlander and more.

Whether the Astros win or lose the 2021 World Series, the Houston team should celebrate the success of making the playoffs every MLB season since 2017. This October marks the third in five years where the Astros made the World Series, an impressive accomplishment for the Astros. Although the stigma of their sign-stealing scandal still gives some MLB fans pause, the Astros have fully complied with regulations and won at least 95 games in every complete MLB season since 2017.

That’s what makes the 2021 offseason especially challenging, as the Astros will be tasked with trying to retain some of their best players. Shortstop Carlos Correa has been already making headlines as the best shortstop to hit the market, making not-so-subtle hints at his interest in wearing pinstripes.

Correa has clarified that he’s currently focused on winning the World Series, but once the offseason hits, the elite shortstop should be focused on ensuring he’s compensated for his value. According to MLB.com, “Correa could land a deal north of $200 million this offseason,especially after Francisco Lindor inked a 10-year, $341 million extension with the Mets prior to the 2021 season.” To keep Correa, the Astros will have to pay an astronomical value to retain one of their best players.

Pitcher Justin Verlander is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, but free agency rumors abound because Verlander hasn’t been around his team all season. Verlander explained that he would love to be there and is dedicating his time to getting healthy, but his free agency status has warranted speculation about whether he’ll join the Yankees or Angels. Still, everyone expects both Verlander and fellow pitcher Zack Greinke to leave this year, which would free up about $60 million in cap space.

Greinke is now 38 years old, putting him in a difficult position to negotiate for an extensive contract. The Astros are expected to sign their younger players before securing the 18-year veteran.

Correa, Verlander and Greinke are the bigger names hitting the free agent market, although the team has a club option on first baseman Yulieski Gurriel. The team is set to pay Gurriel $8 million in 2022 with a $500,000 buyout option.

Houston Astros: 2021 free agents

The complete list of Houston Astros free agents is as follows:

• Zack Greinke
• Justin Verlander
• Carlos Correa
• Yulieski Gurriel
• Joe Smith
• Martin Maldonado
• Yimi Garcia
• Kendall Graveman
• Drew Butera

Once the World Series ends, Astros management will enter their negotiations with some of the MLB’s top free agent candidates.