Houston Astros: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Astros Owner Jim Crane Explains Stance on Luxury Tax After Tatsuya Imai Deal

The Houston Astros surprised many by signing Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai to a three-year deal that could be worth $54 million. That’s if he stays with Houston all three years.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

2025 Astros Farm System Position Series: Shortstop

The final review of the 2025 season will be looking at each position in the Astros farm system. Next up is the shortstop position. Caden Powell Powell was a 6th round pick back in 2024 out of junior college after posting some video game like numbers.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / January 7

Astros Sign Impressive Young Houston Native to Bolster Bullpen Depth

The Houston Astros went into the offseason eager to change some things up following their first missed postseason appearance in a decade, however they were always going to be on a financial limit.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / January 6

Astros Ownership Does Not Extend Contracts as Brass Enters Final Contract Year

Following a bitter end to the 2025 season, a year in which the Houston Astros missed the playoffs or the first time since 2016, rumblings of the job status centered around general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada became uncertain.

Jason Giambi News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'MLB Home Run Derby champions' quiz

MLB held its inaugural Home Run Derby event at the 1985 MLB All-Star Game. How many of the winners can you name in five minutes?

The 'Home run leaders by MLB franchise' quiz

The 'Active MLB home run leaders' quiz

The 'Most home runs by a switch hitter' quiz

Jose Altuve News / Houston Astros on SI / January 6

Astros Icon Jose Altuve Closing in on More Impressive Career Milestones

When there's a conversation surrounding loyalty to one franchise, Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has to come to mind. The former MVP is going into his age-36 season, and throughout the years, he's had some impressive numbers on the back of his baseball card.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The 25 most memorable sports plays of 2025

When it comes to unforgettable plays within the 2025 sports calendar, this was truly a special year. Here's our rankings of the 25 best.

Framber Valdez News / Houston Astros on SI / January 6

Astros Framber Valdez Grows More Likely to Move in Latest Free Agent Prediction

The hot topic of the Houston Astros' offseason continues to be that of southpaw Framber Valdez, who is still floating around in free agency at this time.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / January 6

Astros Reportedly Becoming More Likely to Trade Away At Least One Star

The Houston Astros entered the offseason clearly needing to change a couple of things up following their first missed playoff appearance in close to a decade, however what that was going to mean was anyone's guess.

Houston Astros News / MLB Trade Rumors / January 6

Astros Haven’t Discussed Extension With Manager Joe Espada, GM Dana Brown

Astros manager Joe Espada and GM Dana Brown are entering the final seasons of their respective contracts. It’ll be Espada’s third season in the role and Brown’s fourth year running baseball operations.

Houston Astros News / MLB Trade Rumors / January 5

Astros Could Open Season With Six-Man Rotation

The Astros officially introduced Tatsuya Imai at Daikin Park this morning. The surprising three-year deal continues what has been a pitching-focused offseason for a Houston team losing Framber Valdez to free agency.

Houston Astros News / Last Word On Sports / January 5

How Tatsuya Imai Officially Stabilizes the Astros Pitching Rotation

The Houston Astros got their big-name pitcher. This was a big surprise move. It was expected that the Astros might have to trade to get a top-of-the-line

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / January 5

Prediction Favors Big Year for New Astros Rotation Piece

The Houston Astros made a big splash this offseason in adding Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai to help round out the starting pitching rotation. And while that deal took the forefront of the offseason additions so far, the Astros might've gotten a hidden gem via a trade before Imai was signed.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest pitching seasons from the modern MLB era

America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.

Houston Astros News / MLB on ClutchPoints / January 5

Astros prepared to trade at least 1 of these 3 players

With the Houston Astros surrounded by rumors around the moves the team could make in the offseason, the latest reporting gives insight into the players who are likely not be with the ball club anymore.

Framber Valdez News / Crawfish Boxes / January 5

In appreciation of Framber Valdez

Legitimate prospects out of Latin America sign for at least six-figure signing bonuses, and they do so when they are 16 years old. Anyone who signs for less or signs when they are older tends to be an afterthought.

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The 'NFL passing TD leaders by year' quiz

The 'Most sacks in an NFL season' quiz

The 'Last 4K-yard passer by NFL team' quiz

The 'Heisman Trophy winners since 2000' quiz

Houston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / January 5

In the lab: Expectations for Tatsuya Imai

There are certainly projections for all of the Astros pitchers and some sources have provided them for Tatsuya Imai as well, but providing projections for big league pitchers is challenging enough.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / January 5

Astros Open 2026 Spring Training with High Expectations and New Arms

Fans are starting to get excited about MLB spring training and certainly Houston Astros fans have a few things to look forward to seeing. The Grapefruit League will begin in February and will give the Astros a chance to have their first look at key offseason additions.

Christian Walker News / Houston Astros on SI / January 4

Astros Slugger Eyes Redemption Following Disappointing Debut in Houston

The Houston Astros missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 last season despite finishing with an 87-75 record. While several players did their part all season long, some were slow out of the gate, which somewhat held them back.

Hunter Brown News / Houston Astros on SI / January 4

Three Bold Predictions for Astros Superstar Hunter Brown in 2026

While the Houston Astros might not be the unanimous front-runners to win the AL West like they were during their dynasty era, they still have a team full of talent to make the playoffs and have a deep run in it.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / January 4

Astros Next Financial Hurdle is Settling With 11 Arbitration Eligible Players

The Houston Astros stunned much of baseball by landing Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, someone most thought wasn’t on Houston’s radar. With that deal done, the Astros now face a Thursday deadline to settle with their remaining arbitration players.

Houston Astros News / Larry Brown Sports / January 2

MLB teams have doubts about Tatsuya Imai

Tatsuya Imai was a big free agent pitcher on the market who ended up signing this week. Though the Houston Astros decided to give it a go with the Japanese pitcher, apparently other teams had some concerns.

Houston Astros News / The Forkball / January 2

Astros Sign Japanese Star Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal

The Houston Astros made one of the offseason’s most significant international moves by reaching an agreement with Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai on a three-year free-agent contract.

Houston Astros News / Just Baseball / January 1

Tatsuya Imai To Sign With Houston Astros

With just over 24 hours to go before the end of his posting window, NPB star Tatsuya Imai agreed to a contract with the Houston Astros. The deal guarantees Imai $54 million over three years, and he can earn an additional $3 million in each season that he reaches 100 innings pitched.

Houston Astros News / Larry Brown Sports / January 1

Interesting contract details emerge after Astros win the Tatsuya Imai race

Tatsuya Imai is officially headed to the 713.

Astros start the new year off right by adding Tatsuya Imai

Red Sox predicted to lose Alex Bregman to dark-horse AL suitor

Predicting Tarik Skubal's eventual contract based on other elite arms

25 MLB players on the brink of stardom in 2026

The 'World Series MVPs' quiz

Houston Astros News / Total Apex Sports / January 1

Japanese Ace Tatsuya Imai Signs $63 Million Deal With Houston Astros

The Houston Astros and Japanese Ace Tatsuya Imai are reportedly in agreement on a three-year deal that maxes out at $63 million, per Chandler Rome. The contract has opt-outs after every season, giving Tatsuya Imai the option to re-enter the open market at any time after he shows teams what he can do against top Major League talent.

Houston Astros News / Field Level Media / January 1

Report: Astros reach deal with RHP Tatsuya Imai

The Houston Astros and star Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a free agent contract, ESPN reported Thursday. It's a three-year deal with opt-outs that includes $54 million in guarantees and could be worth up to $63 million, per the report.