Astros Look to be Active in the Offseason

Astros fans, I know it hasn't been long and it still stings a bit but the Astros' season ended after an unlikely run into the postseason. Well good news. The Astros brass are looking toward to next October and moving further into the postseason. And they're doing so by actively playing the free agent market and this is one of the most impressive ones in recent history.

What will the Astros lose? Well, Chad Qualls is out. The Astros decided not to exercise their option for 2016 and let him go to free agency. Good riddance. He was the oldest person on the players roster and was not very good in the bullpen. So much so they left him off the active roster in the postseason.

Scott Kazmir will also, most likely, be gone. He was a good acquisition from the Athletics but he just didn't provide the spark the Astros wanted out of him and as the season drug on, so did his numbers. Kazmir isn't a bad pitcher, just not what the Astros need and perhaps he will find a better fit and be a good third or fourth arm in a rotation that could use a solid one.

Colby Rasmus is a free agent as well. However, the Astros are actively trying to pursue Rasmus and have offered him a deal to keep him in an Astros uniform for the foreseeable future. Let's hope that happens. Rasmus was a big part of the Astros offense this season and it would be a shame to see his talents go elsewhere.

There is some wiggle room in the trade area. The Astros have good players they would be willing to part with. Jed Lowrie, who was the starting short stop at the beginning of this season, lost that job to rookie Carlos Correa when Lowrie missed big chunk of the season with a hand injury. The outfield is pretty shored up with George Springer, Carlos Gomez, and hopefully a returning Colby Rasmus with Jake Marisnik and Preston Tucker in reserves. Also, Luis Valbuena, Chris Carter, and Catcher Hank Conger could be on the trading block. Carter is a high strikeout risk, Valbuena is a decent fit at first should they let Carter go and I am all about getting ride of Conger. Nice guy, but this guy couldn't throw out a person stealing 2nd if the runner was on a rascal scooter. Let someone else have him and bring back Max Stassi from the minors. Kid has potential.

Some free agents the Astros could be eyeing this offseason are Aroldis Chapman from the Reds, who is a great power arm in the rotation already stocked full of talent by way of Dallas Keuchel, Colin McHugh and Lance McCullers. Also, if Rasmus decides to leave on his own they would potentially be interested in Alex Gordon...a Gold Glove outfielder.

Let's just say the Astros are where they need to be. Looking to fill a couple of voids instead of trying to construct a whole team. On top of everything, their farm system (minor leagues) are ranked #1 so there's a ton of young talent to draw from potentially next season. We'll see what happens as the "Hot Stove" as they call it heats up. Check back for updates.