The Houston Astros are in a transitional period but should still be a contending team in 2025. They traded Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs and also will likely be moving on from Alex Bregman.
Fortunately, they have added some good players to their roster. Their biggest move was the signing of first baseman Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million contract.
But Houston may not be done just yet. They could still use a little bit of offense. When projecting each Major League team’s Opening Day lineup for 2025, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report had former New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo in the mix for Houston.
“The Astros are still searching for a left-handed hitting outfielder to join Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers in the starting lineup, and buying low on Alex Verdugo with a one-year contract could be the answer. A reunion with Jason Heyward to serve as the fourth outfielder also makes sense,” Reuter wrote on Monday.
Verdugo struggled in 2024, slashing .233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs, 61 RBI and a .647 OPS. He also was the final out of the 2024 World Series, striking out against Walker Buehler and watching the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate on the field at Yankee Stadium.