It will likely be a winter of difficult roster decisions for the Houston Astros. According to RosterResource , the Astros' luxury tax number already stands at $234 million. Many believe that third baseman Alex Bregman will leave the team via free agency this winter, and the team has reportedly discussed trading away former closer/current set-up man Ryan Pressly for salary relief.
Add to that, free-agent starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi appears destined to sign elsewhere after he starred for "Space City" after being acquired by the team in a deadline trade. Houston also has holes to fill at first base and in the outfield, no matter if Bregman stays or goes. But the team could also use a starting pitcher — especially if Kikuchi does not return.
To that end, Fansided's Nick Villano predicts that the Astros will sign free-agent starter Shane Bieber to add to the rotation. Bieber, the former staff ace of the Cleveland Guardians, is himself coming off Tommy John surgery performed last April and likely will not be able to take the mound until early-to-mid summer of this upcoming season. Despite the perception that he may be damaged goods, Spotrac currently lists Bieber's market value as commanding a six-year, $147.
1 million contract. However, those numbers favor a healthy Bieber, still in the prime of his career. He is a candidate to sign a shorter-term "make good" deal this winter, as teams likely won't be leaping to invest big bucks until the two-time All-Star proves he can still .
