It’s an off day for your Houston Astros, and that might be the best news we’ve had all week. The team is 10-16, dead last in the AL West, 16 players on the injured list, and a team ERA north of 5.90. Yordan is swinging the hottest bat on the planet, Altuve looks like he turned back the clock, and none of it matters because the pitching staff is in ruins.
Eight questions, with my answers, so you get a turn.
Oh, and you don’t have to answer all eight. Pick one or two that resonate and speak out.
1. Is Yordan Alvarez the best hitter in baseball right now?
Yes. Ten home runs before May, slashing .298/.456/.747 (not to mention a 1.203 OPS), and I can’t think of many hitters in either league I’d rather not face right now. He leads the league in GP, HR, RBI, and TB, and he’s carrying this team in a way that should make every fan both grateful and angry, because a performance like this deserves a pitching staff that can hold a lead.
2. Who gets fired first—Dana Brown or Joe Espada?
Brown. Not because Espada is doing a better job, but because Espada is harder to replace midseason. Then again, unless you’ve forgotten, Omar López just won the WBC with Venezuela and is already in the clubhouse. Brown built this roster, and the holes are glaring.
3. Over/under on the date of that firing?
Memorial Day. Brown. If this team is still 15-30 or worse by the end of May, Crane will have seen enough. The question isn’t whether changes are coming; it’s whether he pulls the trigger before the holiday or after.
4. Was the Tatsuya Imai signing a bust?
I’ll take some flak for this, but it’s too early. You can argue the Astros overpaid—$54 million is real money—but the man has three starts. Every Japanese pitcher who’s come to the majors has had an adjustment period, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave up five runs in his first MLB inning before becoming an All-Star. The clock is ticking, though. Make no mistake about that.
5. How many more seasons does Altuve have as a serviceable player?
You can argue he’s already past “impact” the way we used to define it. But he’s still serviceable, and at 36, he can still work an at-bat. The bigger question is when he stops being an everyday player, because he’s signed through 2029 ($33 million in ’27, $13 million each of ’28 and ’29). And who looks Jose Altuve in the eye and tells him to take a seat?
6. If the Astros are sellers at the deadline, what’s the rebuild timeline?
I’m afraid this organization is still in denial, which means they could get forced into a rebuild rather than choosing one, much like the Saints in the NFL. Keep Isaac Paredes, develop Cam Smith, and sign Jeremy Peña long-term. The biggest gulp? What to do with Hunter Brown. The haul they could get for him after this season would be staggering and could jumpstart a rebuild by three years. And then there’s Yordan Alvarez. Like Brown, he would bring a haul. Both are considered signed through 2028.
7. And if they are sellers, who goes? Two tradeable pieces if it comes to that: Christian Walker. He’s hitting well (right now). Power bat. Contending teams always need a first baseman at the deadline. And Isaac Paredes. I don’t want to see it, but the Astros don’t have many trade chips right now, and Paredes has value. Carlos Correa, Altuve, and a handful of others aren’t going anywhere.
7. Does Jim Crane deserve more blame than anyone?
Face it, Crane isn’t going anywhere; owners don’t fire themselves. But I wonder if the Luhnow/Hinch scandal made him skittish about giving a front-office exec real power. He needs to go back to the drawing board, find another Luhnow-type mind lurking behind the scenes, and give that person the authority and resources to build something.
8. What has to happen between now and June 1 for this season to be alive?
Get Hader, Brown, and Peña back healthy. That would go a long way. If those three are out for months, there’s very little hope of contending, no matter how many home runs Yordan hits. The offense is already awake, and they’re still losing, because you can’t outscore a 5.90 ERA every night.
BONUS: Should Crane Call Jeff Luhnow?
I think the call is worth making. You don’t have to hire the man, but if you’re looking for someone who knows how to build a winning organization from the ground up, his number is already in your phone. The news that should give you pause is that apparently, no other team has called him either. Has he been blackballed by MLB? Hinch came back and has done well, but Hinch was somewhat repentant. Luhnow? Not so much.
ALL THINGS ASTROS 
16 responses to “8 questions every Houston fan should be asking right now”
Thanks Chip – Dan does a tremendous job at this, but just like the Astros winning, the world is a better place when we all get some Chip.
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5. Altuve – I always thought the weird structure on the contract was so he could just retire after the 2027 season if he wasn’t feeling it. This way he would get the majority of the contract, and the Astros helped the AAV by having two lower years at the end in case he decides to stick around. I think a part of his decision will be based on whether or not 3000 is in reach, but not all of it. A bit of it will probably be how he feels too. Biggio was probably a detriment to the team in 2006 and 2007, especially the 2007 season, but we loved it, and one of the best memories of that park is his 3000th hit and the two of them hugging on the field. I will watch Altuve struggle down the stretch run of his career if it means I am watching Altuve. The other option is he is gone, and I don’t think he will be a Bagwell/Biggio and become a park regular. That’s what being a fan is about.
6. The Astros have to ask the hard question. This roster isn’t competing in 2026, at least so far. If all of the components can make them compete if Brown, Pena, and Imai are healthy, well, you just kind of start setting for 2027 now. Everyone important is signed through at least 2027, most 2028. But if you think the parts around the stars are not guys that can help the stars win by filling in gap days when Yordan doesn’t dinger or a starter that helps Hunter by also going 6 innings of 1 run ball, I think you have to reset. All of them have to go. You can’t do what you have done for years, which is let the very best walk while signing either the injury prone or “affordable” guys to big contracts, just not as big.
I once worked in an accounting office that had about 15 employees. I worked as the office supervisor, directly for the boss with 13 people working for me. That boss was terrible. She would take actions that constantly made people that were attractive to other firms leave, and the ones that were less attractive to other firms always stayed. We would hire someone else, and it was sort of the employee lottery if they were what we wanted. But if they were good, they didn’t stay long. If they were bad, she was quick on the jettison, but if they were mediocre, just good enough to not get fired, they stayed. Eventually, we had a bunch of mediocrity. All the best left. And I left after exactly 13 months because of it. That’s what the Astros remind me of.
You either think 2027 is still within reach, or you start moving guys now. And I mean all of it. Altuve and Correa are unmoveable. Everyone else, is. Start with the obvious. Yordan brings you a ransom. He can reset your minor leagues with another franchises 4-5 of their top 15 prospects. Paredes can probably still be moved for a young, controllable pitcher. Once Pena and Brown are back in the lineup and playing regularly, they both can also net you 2 top prospects and a few lottery tickets as well.
I would assume Brown would be loathsome to this idea because this time next year he will be working in the Royals scouting department. Crane would still be stuck under contracts for Imai, Walker, Correa and Altuve and probably doesn’t want a 150M payroll for a team that will finish under .500. So, I’m guessing we will keep hearing “the window will always be open” and they will sputter in at around 80-85 wins this year and next, with a bigger possibility that its south of that mark than north of that mark.
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Also keep in mind, Yordan’s contract is a full NTC for 27 and 28, but he is free as a bird in 2026. If he is ever going to be traded, it needs to be now, while he is healthy, and crushing the ball, and a NTC doesn’t interfere with the return.
And don’t get me wrong, you asked me the what if, but let me be clear, IF I was in charge, I would be letting it ride and trying to climb back in this thing.
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7. Most of what I said above. I don’t think, even if keeps his OPS north of .800 (which seems unlikely) that Walker is going to net you anything but some salary relief. If the rest go, it really doesn’t matter if he does or doesn’t, you aren’t paying anyone else anyway.
8. I would call Imai more important than Brown, because Hunter is more of a certainty. I think the adjustments he made are just built in. He doesn’t regress until he starts losing velocity 4 years down the road. But Imai, is the wild card. For this team to compete, he needs to be better.
Pena is also a big piece because it stabilizes things. Hader, well, they haven’t really been blowing saves, the pitching staff has been getting blown up before the 9th inning. But he certainly helps put the hierarchy back in order.
He should, but he won’t.
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Thanks for filling in for me Chip. I’m sitting in a hotel room in Fredricksburg ready to go while my wife and youngest son are getting rolling.
Steven always a lot to your answers and always learning something like the no trade on Yordan.
Not sure he’s the “best” but he’s the scariest. Such a looming presence at the plate – can hit a homer at any time – on a pace for 68 homers when Bagwell has the club record at 47
Espada in season – Brown after. I don’t think Crane wants to feel the wrath of the fans when a temp GM is responsible for the trade deadline ala the disaster when he had GM by committee
I think for Espada – 4th of July – Brown – right after they pack the lockers and head home.
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4. Way too early to call Imai a bust – hopefully the young man can pull it together. His one great start showed great potential – he needs to adjust quickly or he will become a bit of a target for opposing fans
5. The Altuve question is a tough one. We all love the guy but will we still love him if he’s batting .220 as the starting 2B?
6. If they are totally out of it at the end of June – they could spend July regearing but do they want to make big changes for the future with a lame duck GM or temporary GM. I just hope they right the ship – but that is hope
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I didn’t rightfully answer the Altuve question – I think he will be serviceable through 2027 and late career Biggio-ish after. I want to see him make 3000 and retire an Astros but not be a boat anchor
7. Jim Crane is the best owner the Astros ever had. Perhaps he was lucky to bring in Luhnow who was a game changer in how he approached the total rebuild and the analytics that put them ahead of the pack. But Crane was there when they needed the bucks to make big deals.
But he is to blame for the lack of direction since Luhnow left.
8. Between now and June 1 they have to stabilize the pitching – that means a healthy return of Brown, Imai, Hader and Sousa – and some better pitching out of Abreu and others who have disappointed. Wouldn’t hurt if someone like Lambert became this year’s Ronel Blanco
Bonus – I don’t think Luhnow will return the call. But you never know unless you ask.
Would they ask him to come here as the off-season consultant to make suggestions?
I think Luhnow would have to make a public apology to get back in. I don’t think he will ever do that unless….his soccer venture goes belly up
Thanks for the questions Chip – good job.
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1. Is Yordan Alvarez the best hitter in baseball right now?
Right now he is, he’s had months like this before but doubt if he can keep it up.
2. Who gets fired first—Dana Brown or Joe Espada?
It will be Joe, its much easier to replace the manager than the GM. That’s not fair but baseball just isn’t fair. This is on Crane and Brown and there’s only one that will be fired. Espada in about another month and Brown at the break is my prediction.
3. Over/under on the date of that firing?
See #2
4. Was the Tatsuya Imai signing a bust?
Not yet but it doesn’t look good. Japanese pitchers all have trouble adjusting, different ball, mound and frequency.
5. How many more seasons does Altuve have as a serviceable player?
ZERO – between his slumps, bad fielding and probably the worst base runner in the league, oh and he doesn’t get how to use the ABS.
6. If the Astros are sellers at the deadline, what’s the rebuild timeline?
Depends on how hands off JJ Crane will be and who the GM will be. If it stays this way Astros fans are in for a long winter. Winter is coming!
7. Does Jim Crane deserve more blame than anyone?
Yes. He let the cheating scandal happen. He chose to fire a GM after winning a WS. He chose to go Full Jerry Jones (Don’t never go full JJ) and chose to listen to the great talent evaluators from the Bagwell, Biggio and Jackson Agency. He’s the one who pulled the trigger on Abreu, Walker, Hader and others totally wrecking the payroll, not to mention bringing Correa back. Yeah, Brown is equally to blame but Crane took a F1 race car and now they have a Pinto.
8. What has to happen between now and June 1 for this season to be alive?
The pitching staff would all the sudden find the strike zone and the lineup continues hitting. The good thing is the West is awful.
BONUS: Should Crane Call Jeff Luhnow?
He won’t. Remember Luhnow sued Crane for $25M.
2x BONUS: When will Crane sell the team?
Crane has not been shy spending money but even just spending money won’t get the Astros out of the hole they are in. I could see him sell within the next couple of years.
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1. If not the best, one of the most enjoyable to watch
2. My concern is that the draft is in July. I was looking for some optimism and checked the stats to start the season for our 2025 draft class. I recommend no one do that unless you want to make yourself sick. If you want to feel even worse look up the 2024 draft class. When they hired Brown his biggest accolades had to do with stocking the Brave’s system. How long will Crane give this team before cutting ties with Brown or Espada. The closer you get to July the more questions you have to ask about whether we’re prepared to make picks, but at the same time maybe that could work out in our favor. How about they cut Espada and make Correa a player-manager? I’ll bet he’d eat that up.
3. Memorial Day sounds like a good target. I’ll take the under with school letting out around then.
4. It will probably be fine. That’s crazy money for folks like us, but there are tons of pitchers making more in MLB who will probably be worse (once he gets back on the field). If he opts out it costs us nothing.
5. Altuve might disagree with me, but I see our infield logjam as an opportunity for Espada to give him a lot of days off and pick when there are pitchers we don’t want him to face. Unless someone like Brice suddenly turns it around there is no one banging down the door to play 2B full time in his place. I think he plays out the contract. More on that…
6. …There’s no reason to replace Altuve because if this team doesn’t turn it around they aren’t competing in 2027, 2028, or 2029. The prospects just aren’t there. I look forward to seeing Fayetteville most years, but this year’s team looks like they should be relagated to a lower division. We need whoever the GM is to hit this draft out of the park and get some real talent in return this July if we’re deadline sellers, but quite frankly a real rebuild is what is probably needed, but I don’t think we need to be sellers. I think the pitching can stabilize if they stop getting injured. The defense is still good and there are enough potent bats that if the pitchers can keep them in games they can turn things around. This division isn’t great.
7a. Paredes is probably your trade chip at the deadline. I’d hate to see him go though
7b. I agree with Steven’s complaints that Crane wants to toe that luxury cap line without going over even if it would give them what they need to win. I disagree that he won’t spend money. I think they are overvaluing the draft picks. Don’t get me wrong – I think those picks have incredible importance and value…I just think our GM and scouting team are doing the worst job of talent evaluation in the league right now. What good is a pick if you spend it on a guy who won’t be better than a .600 OPS at Corpus in his peak season? 8. If I counted right they have 35 games until June 1. Is 20-15 in reach for them? That would put them at one game under .500. On the flip side, going 15-20 would put them 11 games under .500 and likely get them ready to be deadline sellers. The schedule looks really rough, though. 10-25 is a possibility.
9. No. That ship has sailed.
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He definitely spends money. But he reminds me of my wife. We agree that we don’t need that cake, but we are going to have it. We can afford the cake. But we get on the row with the icing – and I pick up the rich, thick, fully loaded Duncan Hines icing. She walks over, puts it back, and grabs the Great Value icing, telling me “its the same thing.” And it’s not.
Some people won’t spend money on the cake at all. The Rays ain’t baking cakes (though they are really good at taking whatevers in the kitchen and still making a kick ass treat). The Royals. The Pirates have started with some cupcakes, no icing. Some teams are are going over board buying deluxe, premium ingredients from all over the world to just bake a cake. We will buy on some of the best ingredients for the cake, then put Great Value icing on. I get it, A’s fans are looking at us like try some of mud pies, but man, to get that cake that good and top it with Great Value, ugh.
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Hi guys, admittedly, have not watched a bunch of baseball lately, but I’ve always got my thoughts.
Yordan looks relaxed and healthy as I watched condensed games. Is there less pressure to produce when you are getting your butt kicked regularly? One thing, he’s exploiting hittable pitches as well as I’ve ever seen him.
Dana and Joe could both go at the same time. But I’m thinking more along the lines of the off season, although Crane and Dana could potentially have the relationship finally blow up, forcing the change at any point.
And Joe, heck, if he had a solid roster, it would not look like he was as many mistakes. He’s also got at least a couple of low IQ baseball players, including my long time Astro favorite.
I wonder how much time club staff actually spent with Imai before guaranteeing his 54 million. Maybe more due diligence would have raised concerns. And maybe he’ll settle in and contribute. But another fail at 54 million would not be helpful. And was Imai a Crane choice? Another thing, it did not seem as if the Astros were bidding against other clubs. Did everyone else know that this kid was high risk?
Jose Altuve can have a couple more serviceable years if he’s a DH and fully commits to being selective. He showed us a glimpse of that initially. He can be a disciplined hitter if he really wants to.
Sellers? I’m 100% a proponent of that. But I’m not sure it will ever happen while Crane is at the helm.
But if they somehow become sellers, there should be no single player outside of Altuve that would be an untouchable. If Correa gets bored with losing, then try to move him too. Cam Smith? Sure. He’s still no guarantee. The effort has the be full blown. Use every available resource to build a new foundation.
Tough question. The offense has to continue to perform. Issac has to awaken. Yainer has to come around. But we’re already seeing a correction from that hot start. And there is no guy I can find anywhere that might provide a spark offensively, except maybe a healthy Zach Dezenzo. Gosh, if Zach can get healthy and stay healthy, he’ll get an opportunity to play. Brice Matthews has to go back down soon. He’s not close to being ML ready in any facet of his game. Pitchers have to pitch. Hunter and Hader have to come back and pitch like they were not injured. I’m dubious.
Bonus. He should call Luhnow. He should call Jame Click. That’s a long shot. I wish Crane would see reality and change his role taking himself away from daily baseball operations. At some point there will be a new GM hire. Very few of those jobs exist, but is Houston considered a plum job at this point?
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I agree with your take. The one question has to be around selling. As fans, if we’re bellyaching over this club losing games how bad of a team are we willing to stomach during a rebuild. As such, I think the owner/GM need to set targets for what returns they want and not just move anyone that another club will take.
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Devin, no guarantee that selling would produce better results.
I’m sure Tilman Fertitta would love to have the Astros, but his Rockets are a tease so far.
I think it’s essential for an owner find the best people in the business to run his business and stay out of the way.
Crane, our finest owner by far, ultimately got involved and has played a significant role in the club going sideways.
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Hey Daveb – are you over your pneumonia? Did you fly back to the main land? What makes you sicker – having pneumonia or following the Astros?
They did win the Cleveland series and should have swept it.
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Dan, I’m halfway home. The pneumonia has been put to rest, but the stubborn issue that remains is fluid on the right lung. I’m here at Methodist with the best in the business. We’ll get it figured out.
As for the Astros, you remember all those years we played out the string annually. I don’t think we’ll go there for the same type duration, but as you know from my commentary I do think drastic measures do need to be taken at this point. I do not believe there is a real chance to battle into September with a shot at reaching the post season in 2026.
And I’m not bothered by the Astro breakdown. While the injuries are hard to accept, I have been leery of the pitching from the start. Maybe the Dodgers can avoid a lost season or two, but everyone else is going to have them. I find a certain fascination in seeing what big decisions are made to correct. Or what decisions are not made to correct the ship. We’ll see.
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Local guy Christian Roa had been DFA’d and then picked up by Twins
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