The Houston Astros have done most of their heavy lifting this offseason, and now it’s all about fine-tuning. With ownership keeping a firm eye on staying under the $244 million luxury tax threshold, the front office is threading a financial needle.
After signing right-hander Tatsuya Imai, projections have Houston’s payroll sitting just under the limit at around $242 million. That leaves very little wiggle room-and every dollar counts.
To stay flexible for in-season moves, the Astros will likely need to shed some salary. A mid-tier contract like Jesús Sánchez’s could be on the chopping block, but even if they clear a few million, most of that will be earmarked for potential trade deadline reinforcements or depth additions down the road.
Still, one area remains noticeably thin: catcher. Yainer Diaz is locked in as the starter, but Houston needs a reliable veteran backup to help shoulder the load.
A reunion with Victor Caratini would’ve made a lot of sense-he knows the staff, he’s a switch-hitter, and he’s been productive in his time with the Astros. But after back-to-back strong offensive seasons, Caratini has likely priced himself out of Houston’s budget.
That’s where Jonah Heim enters the picture.
Jonah Heim: A Low-Cost, High-Upside Fit Behind the Plate
Heim may not be the headline-grabbing name fans are hoping for, but he checks a lot of boxes for what the Astros need in a backup catcher. He’s a switch-hitter like Caratini, which would help balance a lineup that leans heavily to the right. And while his recent numbers have dipped, there’s a track record of success that suggests he could be a smart buy-low candidate.
Back in 2022, Heim was trending upward. He posted a 99 wRC+ with 16 home runs and stood out defensively with a fielding run value of 14.
Then came 2023, when he played a key role in the Rangers’ World Series run. That season, he hit 18 homers, posted a 107 wRC+, and delivered elite defense behind the plate-good for a 4.0 fWAR campaign.
He looked like one of the best all-around catchers in baseball.
But the last two seasons have been rough. In 2024, Heim slashed just .220/.267/.336, and things didn’t get any better in 2025, with his line falling to .213/.271/.332.
His defense, once a calling card, also took a step back. That regression led to the Rangers non-tendering him earlier this offseason, making him a free agent-and a potential bargain.
For the Astros, this isn’t about getting Heim back to All-Star form. If he can simply stabilize his defense and hit just enough to avoid being a liability, he’d be a valuable piece in a backup role. With Diaz expected to carry the bulk of the load, Houston doesn’t need Heim to do much more than provide steady hands behind the plate and offer a switch-hitting option off the bench.
A Smart Fit for a Young Pitching Staff
This isn’t just about offense or even defense-it’s about trust. The Astros are entering 2026 with a pitching staff that’s younger and more unproven than in years past. Having a veteran presence behind the dish, someone who’s caught meaningful innings in high-leverage games, could be a quiet difference-maker over the course of a long season.
Heim brings that experience. He’s worked with a variety of arms, knows how to manage a game, and has been through a championship run. That kind of presence in the clubhouse and behind the plate can help settle a young rotation and give the coaching staff confidence when Diaz gets a day off.
No, it wouldn’t be a flashy move. But flashy isn’t the goal here.
The Astros have their stars. What they need now is depth, stability, and a little defensive insurance behind the plate.
Jonah Heim, if he can bounce back even modestly, offers all of that-at a price that fits Houston’s financial puzzle.
And if they can pluck him from a division rival in the process? Well, that’s just a little extra icing on the cake.