3 free agent contracts Houston Astros should’ve matched this offseason
By Kevin Henry
The Houston Astros have a stacked lineup as they attempt to repeat as World Series champions, but could these three players have helped the Astros become even more powerful?
As 2023 spring training draws near, let’s face a simple truth: The Houston Astros have another power-packed and star-studded lineup and are in a great position to once again represent the American League in the World Series.
With that thought in mind, there aren’t a lot of holes in the Houston lineup. However, there are some depth pieces and players who could have been signed as a free agent by the Astros, making a strong roster even stronger.
Contract that should have been matched by the Houston Astros: Jorge Alfaro
The 29-year-old veteran catcher signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Boston Red Sox this winter, and the Red Sox will only pay the money if Alfaro if he makes the major league roster. If he doesn’t, he has the option to opt out and head back to free agency on June 1 and July 1.
For a catcher who slashed .246/.285/.383 in 274 plate appearances and posted 0.8 bWAR for the San Diego Padres last season, that deal seems like one that the Astros could have thrown out to make a nice tandem with Alfaro and Martin Maldonado behind the plate.
Certainly,a the Astros are wanting to see what they have in young catchers Yainer Diaz and Korey Lee, and adding Alfaro would have provided fewer at-bats for one or both of them this season. However, with the Astros poised to chase another ring, Alfaro would have provided some solid and inexpensive insurance behind the dish.