Spring Training starts in just over two weeks from now, and many teams have made some notable moves to improve their squads heading into the 2024 season. While the Houston Astros didn’t cause a lot of noise this offseason, their moves have them back in the conversation to reach the World Series for the third time in six years.
10/26/23 – Houston Astros Manager Dusty Baker Retires
Just three days after the Astros’ season ended at the hands of the Texas Rangers, Dusty Baker shocked the baseball world by announcing that he would retire after 26 seasons as a manager. Baker, 74, managed the Astros for four seasons, leading the team after former manager A.J. Hinch was released after the 2017 scandal. Baker led Houston to the ALCS in all four seasons, reaching the World Series twice and winning once.
Although his time in a major league uniform is done, Baker feels he still has more to give to baseball. On January 19th, Baker rejoined the San Francisco Giants organization as a special advisor to baseball operations.
11/13/23 – Houston Astros name Joe Espada Manager
The Houston Astros decided to promote from within, as bench coach Joe Espada was named the 20th manager in Astros history. Espada has been with the Astros organization for six seasons as a bench coach, working under A.J. Hinch and Dusty Baker. The Astros also promoted Omar Lopez to first base coach.
Joe Espada takes over a Houston team with most of its roster returning, and the team is set to make yet another deep run in the postseason.
12/7/23 – Houston Astros Sign Victor Caratini
Manager Joe Espada informed the media that catcher Yainer Diaz would be the starting catcher in the future after the loss of Martin Maldonado to free agency. The Astros agreed to terms with free-agent catcher Victor Caratini on a two-year $12 million deal that would make the switch-hitting catcher the backup to Diaz for the 2024 season.
Caratini spent the previous two seasons with the Brewers, where he slashed .259/.383/.711 during the 2023 season. Caratini is a solid backup for Houston, providing a switch-hitting bat that Houston hasn’t had in a few seasons.
1/22/24 – Houston Astros Sign Josh Hader
Perhaps the most significant move the Astros made this offseason was signing lefty relief pitcher Josh Hader to a five-year $95 million deal. Hader started his MLB career with the Astros organization before being traded to the Brewers in July 2015. Hader quickly became one of the best relievers in the game with Milwaukee before being dealt to the Padres in 2022.
Hader is a five-time All-Star and three-time National League reliever of the year. Hader joins an Astros bullpen without Phil Maton, Hector Neris, and Ryne Stanek to free agency and Kendall Graveman to a season-ending injury. The Astros now feature a dangerous backend of their bullpen that features Bryan Abreu, Ryan Pressly, and newly acquired Josh Hader.
2/7/24 – Houston Astros Extend Jose Altuve
The Houston Astros extended star second-baseman Jose Altuve with a five-year $125 million deal will keep him in Houston until 2029. Altuve, 33, has spent his 13-year career with the Houston Astros since being signed out of Venezuela. Since 2011, Jose has been an All-Star eight times, winning six Silver Slugger awards, three batting titles, American League MVP, and two World Series titles.
Altuve currently has 2,047 career hits. After signing the extension, Jose could become only the second Astros player to reach the 3,000-hit mark, after Craig Biggio did it in 2007.
Overall, the Astros made some moves to help ensure that they will be set to contend for another AL West title for the next few seasons. However, the only questions for the team are whether stars like Alex Bregman, who will be a free agent after the 2024 season, and Kyle Tucker will receive contract extensions soon.
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