The Houston Astros are heading into 2026 with something they haven’t dealt with in nearly a decade: a postseason absence. After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the urgency is real in Houston.
The core is aging, the rotation has holes, and the American League isn’t getting any easier. If the Astros want to get back to October baseball, it starts with one key move-reinforcing their starting pitching.
And that’s where things get interesting.
While the free-agent market has already seen some of the top arms come off the board, there are still veteran pitchers available who could bring stability and experience to a rotation in flux. One name that keeps surfacing? Justin Verlander.
Yes, that Justin Verlander.
The three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer is currently without a team for 2026, and his name is once again being linked to the Astros as a potential fit. It’s a reunion that would come with plenty of familiarity-Verlander pitched some of the best baseball of his career in Houston, helping lead the team to multiple deep postseason runs. But this version of Verlander isn’t the same one who was dominating hitters in his mid-30s.
He’s older now, and the velocity isn’t quite what it used to be. But what he’s lost in raw stuff, he’s compensated for with savvy pitch selection and the kind of veteran presence that can still anchor the middle of a rotation. If his sweeper continues to be effective-still baffling hitters as it did at times last season-he could slide comfortably into a No. 3 role on a contending team.
And that’s exactly what Houston needs.
With Framber Valdez potentially on his way out-re-signing him doesn’t appear to be in the financial cards-the Astros are looking for stability behind Cristian Javier and Hunter Brown. Verlander, even at this stage of his career, offers just that.
He knows the organization, the coaching staff, and the expectations. He’s been through the wars.
And in a clubhouse that’s trying to balance veteran leadership with rising talent, his presence could be invaluable.
Of course, not every Astros fan is going to be on board. There’s a case to be made for targeting a younger arm with more upside, someone who could be part of the next era of Astros baseball rather than a bridge to the past. But the window in Houston is still cracked open, and a short-term, high-floor option like Verlander might be exactly what’s needed to keep it from slamming shut.
It’s also worth noting that Houston isn’t the only team that makes sense for Verlander. A return to Detroit, where it all began, or a reunion with the San Francisco Giants are both reportedly on the table. But if the Astros are serious about bouncing back in 2026, and if Verlander is open to one more run in familiar colors, the fit is hard to ignore.
The Astros have some big decisions to make this offseason. Rebuilding the rotation is at the top of the list. Whether that includes a familiar face like Verlander remains to be seen-but don’t be surprised if that door stays open just a little longer.