Astros Open Camp with Talent to Spare - and Questions to Answer
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Houston Astros are back in camp, and while the Florida sun is shining on the start of spring training, there’s a cloud of uncertainty hovering over several key areas of this roster. The talent is there - no doubt about that - but as the 2026 season approaches, the Astros have some real decisions to make before Grapefruit League games even begin.
Let’s start with the infield, which might be the most immediate and intriguing puzzle. Houston’s got bats - good ones - but not enough spots to go around.
All-Star Isaac Paredes is front and center in this logjam. He’s a proven hitter, but where he fits defensively is still up in the air.
The team could move him around the diamond, or even explore other options if the fit isn’t right. That kind of versatility is a luxury, but it also forces some tough choices.
Balancing offense, defense, and playing time is never easy, especially when you're working with a roster this deep.
Then there’s the rotation, where things are a little less settled. The top three - Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Tatsuya Imai - are locked in. That trio gives Houston a solid foundation, with Brown continuing to grow into a frontline role, Javier bringing his usual consistency, and Imai adding an international flair with a sharp arsenal that impressed down the stretch last year.
But after that? It’s wide open.
Manager Joe Espada didn’t sugarcoat it during the team’s media luncheon on February 3. “At this point, I can’t tell you who’s in my rotation,” he said.
It’s a candid admission, and it sets the tone for what could be one of the more competitive position battles in camp. A handful of arms will be vying for those final spots, and how that shakes out could have a major impact on Houston’s early-season outlook.
Of course, none of it matters if the team can’t stay healthy - and that might be the biggest question of all.
All-Star closer Josh Hader is easing into camp, reportedly throwing on flat ground as the Astros take a cautious approach with his recovery. It’s early, and there’s no need to rush, but all eyes will be on his progress as the week unfolds. Houston’s bullpen hinges on Hader being Hader - dominant, durable, and dependable in the late innings.
More broadly, this team’s ceiling is tied directly to the availability of its stars. And when you talk about stars in Houston, Yordan Alvarez is at the top of the list.
The slugger remains the ultimate X-factor. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the most feared hitters in baseball - a true game-changer who can carry the offense for weeks at a time.
“If Yordan is healthy, we’re going to be very good,” said special assistant Jeff Bagwell in a recent conversation. It’s a simple statement, but it cuts to the heart of the matter.
The Astros know what they have - a core that’s been through the wars, with the talent to make another deep run. But they also know how quickly things can change when injuries pile up.
So as camp opens in West Palm Beach, the Astros aren’t just stretching out arms and shaking off the rust. They’re evaluating, experimenting, and trying to answer some very real questions.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about fitting them together - and keeping them on the field.