The Houston Astros have a few big needs to address in free agency right now. They’re watching their ace, Framber Valdez, walk into free agency, and it seems like they’re unlikely to land a new deal with him.
Because of that, the Astros could be in the market for a pitcher or two in free agency. They might not have the money to chase the biggest names on the market, but they could certainly land a few respectable pitchers to help push toward a postseason berth next year.
Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball recently predicted the Astros would sign Shota Imanaga away from the Chicago Cubs in free agency on a three-year, $54 million deal.
“When it comes to a team fit, the Houston Astros could use a starting pitcher, but may not be able to shop at the very top of the market,” Finkelstein wrote. “Imanaga is no Framber Valdez, but he is also a better bet than Lance McCullers Jr., Jason Alexander, and Spencer Arrighetti, who are all projected to be in their 2026 rotation right now. Hunter Brown is clearly the ace. Imanaga would give the Astros a dependable middle-of-the-rotation arm who still has frontline upside if he can rediscover his 2024 form.”
It certainly wouldn’t be as sweet as retaining Valdez, but the Astros can’t sign all the biggest free agents on the market.
Imanaga would be the perfect addition to the Astros on an affordable deal. He’s not a world beater, but he’s the perfect fit for Houston’s needs.
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