Now that the Winter Meetings are behind us and the flurry of early offseason action has cooled, one of the quieter teams on the transaction wire has been the Houston Astros. While a few clubs have made splashes or at least ripples, Houston’s offseason has been more of a slow simmer than a rolling boil.
That’s not entirely surprising-some of the top free agents still on the board are tied to qualifying offers and represented by Scott Boras, which tends to stretch out negotiations. But even with that context, the Astros have been notably reserved.
They’ve made a couple of moves-swapping Mauricio Dubón for Nick Allen in a one-for-one deal with Atlanta, and adding right-hander Ryan Weiss to the pitching mix. But those transactions don’t exactly offset what Houston stands to lose in free agency. Let’s take a closer look at the key players from last year’s roster who hit the open market-and where things stand for them now.
Framber Valdez
Framber Valdez is the headliner here. He’s widely viewed as the top remaining pitcher on the market, and with good reason.
A workhorse lefty with postseason experience and a ground-ball-heavy profile, Valdez checks a lot of boxes for contenders looking to solidify their rotation. The Mets, Giants, and Orioles have all been linked to him at various points, but the buzz has gone quiet lately.
That likely means talks haven’t progressed to the serious stage yet.
One factor in the slow-developing market? The qualifying offer.
Any team that signs Valdez will have to forfeit a draft pick, which can be a sticking point-especially for clubs that value their farm systems. Still, Valdez is going to get paid.
It just might take until January for the right deal to come together.
Craig Kimbrel
Craig Kimbrel’s résumé speaks for itself. He’s one of the most dominant closers of his era, and a future Hall of Fame case could be made based on his peak alone.
But the version of Kimbrel we’ve seen in recent seasons hasn’t been quite the same. The velocity isn’t what it used to be, and the command has been inconsistent.
That said, Kimbrel still wants to pitch in 2026, and there’s always a market for experienced bullpen arms-especially ones with his pedigree. He may not land a major league deal right away, but don’t be surprised if a team in need of bullpen depth scoops him up later in the offseason. He’s the kind of veteran presence that can still help a contender in the right role.
Brendan Rodgers
The Astros brought in Brendan Rodgers with the hope that he’d provide some infield insurance-someone who could step in if injuries struck. Unfortunately, those injuries came for Rodgers himself, and he never really found his footing in Houston.
The result? A quiet stint that didn’t move the needle much.
Rodgers still carries some intrigue because of his former top-prospect status, and that alone should earn him a shot somewhere this spring. A non-roster invite with a chance to compete for a bench role seems like the most likely path forward. He’s not a needle-mover at this point, but he’s not done yet, either.
Victor Caratini
Outside of Valdez, Victor Caratini might be the most significant free agent the Astros are at risk of losing. He played a key role as a backup to Yainer Diaz, who, while talented, remains unproven over a full season behind the plate. Caratini also gave Houston flexibility, filling in at first base and even DH when needed.
The Astros would reportedly like to bring him back-but only at a backup’s price. That’s where things get interesting.
Around the league, some teams view Caratini as a potential starter, which could drive up his market. He hasn’t signed yet, but he’s the type of player who could find a new home before the holidays.
Solid switch-hitting catchers with defensive versatility don’t stay unemployed for long.
Ramón Urías
Ramón Urías was a bit of a roster redundancy in Houston with Mauricio Dubón around-until Dubón was dealt. Now, both are gone, and the Astros are hoping Nick Allen can fill that utility role. Urías, meanwhile, remains on the market.
He’s the kind of player who quietly adds value: versatile, affordable, and capable of stepping in across the infield. While he doesn’t bring star power, he’s exactly the type of depth piece that teams look for late in the offseason. Expect him to land somewhere, even if it takes a few more weeks.
Final Thoughts
Houston’s offseason isn’t over yet, but the clock is ticking. They’ve lost-or are at risk of losing-some key contributors without making significant additions to replace them.
The Astros still have a strong core, but if they want to keep pace in an increasingly competitive AL West, they’ll need to make some moves. Whether that’s re-signing a few familiar faces or dipping into the free-agent pool, the next few weeks could be pivotal for a team that’s been more quiet than usual this winter.