The Houston Astros head into this offseason with a clear priority: starting pitching. With a rotation that's expected to be patchwork to start the 2026 campaign - thanks to a string of injuries and the likely departure of Framber Valdez in free agency - the need for another frontline arm to pair with Hunter Brown is obvious. But while the rotation is the headline concern, the Astros are also facing a more nuanced challenge in the bullpen - and that’s where things get interesting.
Let’s talk about the market first. Relief pitching prices have gone through the roof.
Raisel Iglesias just landed $16 million for one year with the Braves. Ryan Helsley secured a two-year, $28 million deal from the Orioles.
And Devin Williams, coming off arguably his worst season in the majors, still managed to cash in with a three-year, $50 million-plus contract from the Mets. That’s the going rate for high-leverage arms right now - and we haven’t even seen what Edwin Díaz, Robert Suarez, or Pete Fairbanks will command.
In a market like this, the Astros have a rare opportunity. Bryan Abreu - one of Houston’s most electric arms out of the bullpen - could be a valuable trade chip.
He’s coming off a strong season, logging 105 strikeouts in 71 innings. He’s also still affordable, with an arbitration projection just under $6 million.
For a team trying to stretch every dollar and possibly retool on the fly, that’s a big deal.
Now, let’s be clear: trading Abreu wouldn’t be a popular move. He’s been a steady presence in late innings, a key bridge to Josh Hader, and a guy who’s proven he can get big outs in big moments.
But the timing might be right. Abreu is entering the final year of his arbitration window, and there’s no indication the Astros plan to extend him beyond 2026.
If they’re not going to keep him long-term, it’s worth exploring what he could bring back in a trade - especially when the market is this hot.
Look at what the Brewers did last winter. They dealt Devin Williams to the Yankees and landed Caleb Durbin, who ended up as a finalist for NL Rookie of the Year. That’s the kind of upside the Astros could chase - whether it’s a young bat to bolster a thin farm system or a controllable starter to help stabilize the rotation.
Of course, moving Abreu would create some short-term headaches. Houston would still have Hader locking down the ninth, but the setup role would suddenly become a question mark.
Could Bryan King or Steven Okert step into that role? Maybe.
But that’s a risk - and one the Astros would have to be comfortable taking if they decide to deal Abreu.
This doesn’t mean Houston needs to actively shop him. There’s no need to slap a “For Sale” sign on Abreu’s locker.
But if a team calls with a serious offer, the Astros should be ready to listen. In a market where relievers are fetching premium returns, holding onto a valuable asset without at least gauging the trade landscape would be a missed opportunity.
The Astros are in a delicate spot - balancing win-now urgency with long-term sustainability. Trading Abreu might sting in the short term, but if it helps address their rotation issues or retools the farm system, it’s a move worth considering.