Speculation building Astros could target $172 million superstar

The Houston Astros will have some tough decisions to make this winter.

Houston could lose some important pieces in free agency but also add others. The Astros are coming off a disappointing end to the 2024 season and need to take a hard look at the roster this winter.

The starting rotation, surprisingly, wasn't a strength for the Astros in 2024, and therefore, the club should look to add this winter. One player who will be available is two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.

Speculation already is starting to pick up about where players will land, and FanSided's Christopher Kline suggested Snell could be the top free agent option for Houston to "redeem themselves" and make a deep run next year.

"Blake Snell was the best pitcher in baseball after the All-Star break," Kline said. "Over his last 10 starts, Snell went 5-0 with a 1.44 ERA and .130 opposing batting average, netting 84 strikeouts in 56.1 innings. The southpaw was on another plane of existence — which included his first career complete game in an Aug. 2 no-hitter against the (Cincinnati Reds)...

"Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Verlander are both free agents, so there will be slots opening up in the Astros' regular-season rotation. The three-headed monster of Snell, Framber Valdez, and Hunter Brown might be unmatched in the American League. Depth in the pitching staff is the surest way to build a contender. Houston won't lack slugging next season, but Snell shores up the bullpen collective and launches the Astros back into the World Series conversation."

Snell is projected to get a $172 million deal this winter over six years. Houston should be all over that in free agency. Kline certainly is right.

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