The Astros have already checked off two of the biggest items on their offseason to-do list. Randy Flores is in as general manager after replacing Dana Brown in late October, and this week Houston landed on its next manager, hiring New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus to take over for Joe Espada.
With those two jobs settled, the focus can shift toward what comes next - and with the GM Meetings winding down in Las Vegas and the December 1 potential lockout approaching, the clock is ticking. There won’t be Winter Meetings in December, which means any free-agent or trade business has to get done in the next couple of weeks or wait until a new agreement is reached.
That’s where a surprising name has entered the conversation for Houston: catcher Yainer Diaz.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report listed Diaz as a trade candidate for the Astros, even though he’s not the first player most people would expect to surface in that kind of discussion. Isaac Paredes, Jeremy Pena and Christian Walker feel like the more obvious names, but Reuter laid out why Diaz could still be on the table.
“A Diaz trade would likely be accompanied by an outside addition to fill the catcher position, but a short-term bridge to top prospects Jason Schiavone and Walker Janek might be all they need,” Reuter wrote.
That idea only really works if Houston is willing to lean into a rebuild, and that’s not something that appears settled. The bigger question is whether the Astros believe Schiavone and Janek are ready enough to handle the position if Diaz is moved.
Schiavone climbed through four levels in 2026, starting in Single-A and finishing in Triple-A. Across that run, he hit .252/.391/.531 with 32 home runs and 90 RBIs combined. The production stands out, but the real test is whether it carries over to the majors.
Janek also moved up three levels this season and ended in Double-A at age 24. He hit .250/.320/.413 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs in 72 games. Of the two, Schiavone looks like the more MLB-ready catcher right now.
Even so, if Houston were to trade Diaz, the Astros would almost certainly need a replacement first - either through another trade or via free agency - instead of simply handing the job to a young prospect. Schiavone could still become a factor in 2027 and beyond, but dealing Diaz would be a gamble unless the return makes it worthwhile.
In Other News...
Brad Ausmus Sends Astros Fans A Clear Message About Expectations
Brad Ausmus is back in Houston in a very different role, officially introduced as the Astros new manager and becoming the 21st skipper in franchise history. For a fan base that knows him well from his 10 seasons as a player, the reunion carries a familiar feel, but this time the expectations come with a dugout card and a much bigger spotlight. Ausmus arrives with prior managerial experience from Detroit and Los Angeles, along with a recent stint as the Yankees bench coach, giving the Astros a veteran hand at the top.
What stood out in his introduction was the standard he set right away. Ausmus made it clear the goal in Houston should not be framed in terms of incremental progress or merely staying competitive, but winning the World Series every year. It is the kind of message Astros fans are used to hearing from a franchise that has lived at the center of the sport, and now the question is how quickly that mindset translates from the podium into the day-to-day demands of a new season. [Read more 🡒]
Astros May See One Intriguing Rotation Gamble Worth Making
Dustin May is back on the market, and the Astros are among the teams weighing whether his arm is worth a multi-year commitment. The right-hander declined his mutual option with Milwaukee after helping the Brewers out of the bullpen during their World Series run, and now the free agent is drawing interest from the Cubs, White Sox, Padres and Houston as clubs sort through the kind of pitching depth that can shape a season.
For Houston, the appeal is obvious enough to at least keep the conversation going. Mays 2026 line was uneven, with a 7-9 record and a 4.70 ERA across 31 starts for the Cardinals and Brewers, but the larger question is whether there is still enough starter upside to justify a gamble. The Astros have shown a willingness to look for value where others see risk, and Mays next contract could tell a lot about whether they view him as rotation help or just another arm to monitor. [Read more 🡒]
Astros May Need To Pay Up For A Rotation Fix
The Astros are expected to spend part of their offseason trying to shore up the starting rotation, and Tyler Mahle has emerged as one name worth watching. The veteran right-hander finished the 2026 season on a strong note after being dealt from the San Francisco Giants to the Atlanta Braves, a stretch that helped restore some appeal around a pitcher who could fit the kind of rotation help Houston is seeking.
Mahles late-season rebound figures to make him attractive beyond Houston, though, and that is where the challenge comes in. The Braves may also have interest in bringing him back, which could push the price higher and force the Astros to decide how far they are willing to go for a proven arm with momentum on his side. [Read more 🡒]