What would a dream Astros starting lineup look like next year?

8. Dream Astros starting lineup: Willson Contreras bats eighth, C

It’s time to find some offense behind the plate. In a stunning turn of events, the Astros sign Willson Contreras to become a member of their dream lineup. He hits all the way down at the eighth spot because, after all, this is a complete fantasy.

Contreras remains a realistic possibility for Houston even if Martin Maldonado sticks with the club. Contreras could become an occasional DH option for them. In this dream team, he mostly catches. Maldonado can finish games to keep the more offense-focused Contreras from getting too exhausted.

We’ve now entered a realm of impossibility for the 2023 lineup. Let’s finish it off with one returning player who has earned a starting job.

9. Dream Astros starting lineup: Chas McCormick bats ninth, CF

The dream Astros lineup ends with Chas McCormick in center field. Yes, the team could do some other things here. We need to stay at least a little grounded.

McCormick is more of a corner outfielder than center fielder. Jake Meyers can substitute him late in games if defense becomes an issue. Now a lifetime .250/.326/.407 hitter for the Astros spanning two seasons, we have an early idea of what he can contribute. It’s pretty good. Not everyone can be an All-Star in this lineup even if we’re asleep.

This Astros lineup would have fans gushing from Opening Day onward. There isn’t a game they’d reasonably be expected to lose. Just when we thought the team couldn’t get any better, we go and have a dream featuring these nine.