2025-26 MLB Offseason Recap: Houston Astros

After all the injuries that the Astros suffered last season to their pitching staff, it was fairly obvious that the rotation would be a focal point for the team. Several notable pitchers are now in Space City, including Mike Burrows and former NPB standout Tatsuya Imai.

Additions

• SS Nick Allen
• SP Mike Burrows
• SP Tatsuya Imai
• OF Joey Loperfido
• SP Nate Pearson
• SP Kai-Wei Teng
• SP Ryan Weiss

Starting pitching was the theme for the Astros in the winter.

That’s not a shock, as Houston’s tentative 2026 rotation took numerous blows in 2025. Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski, and Brandon Walter were among the controllable pitchers who underwent season-ending elbow surgeries last season — and their recoveries will bleed into 2026.

The Astros moved fast on the pitching front, as Houston picked up former Blue Jay and Cub Nate Pearson in October, before the 2025 season officially ended. Houston also added Ryan Weiss, who pitched in the KBO, to a deal in the winter, as well.

However, the two most notable additions this winter were Tatsuya Imai and Mike Burrows.

Imai, a star with the Seibu Lions of the NPB for years, is a smaller right-hander but one who could touch the mid-90s with a running fastball, and chance looks with a splitter, slider, and curveball. Houston gave him a very comfortable deal, one that’s for three years and one that came with the second-highest AAV for a player straight from Japan.

As for Burrows, the ex-Pirate has one of the best changeups in the game, a pitch that plays well off his mid-90s fastball. The right-hander, who tossed five scoreless innings to start the spring, is a controllable pitcher, as well. He’s yet to accumulate a full year of MLB service time.

Burrows, though, cost the Astros two of their best prospects. One of those prospects was high-upside pitcher Anderson Brito.

Additionally, the Astros picked up former Giants pitcher Kai-Wei Teng via trade. Teng was one of the best swing-and-miss pitchers in Triple-A last season.

As for other notable moves, Houston re-acquired outfielder Joey Loperfido from the Blue Jays. The Astros sent him to Toronto nearly two years ago as part of the Yusei Kikuchi trade.

Nick Allen, one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, was also acquired via trade.

Losses

• C/1B Victor Caratini
• INF/OF Mauricio Dubon
• SP Luis Garcia
• RP Craig Kimbrel
• OF Chas McCormick
• OF Jacob Melton
• RP Kaleb Ort
• INF Brendan Rodgers
• OF Jesus Sanchez
• INF Ramon Urias
• SP Framber Valdez

Several notable players left the Astros via trade and/or free agency this past winter.

Arguably, the most notable was Framber Valdez, who will join ex-Astros manager A.J. Hinch and Justin Verlander in Detroit. Valdez was a key piece of the Astros’ rotation for years but priced — and possibly acted — his way out of Houston last season.

Gold Glove winner Mauricio Dubon also priced himself out of Houston. Dubon, in his final year of arbitration eligibility, was flipped to Atlanta for Allen.

Victor Caratini, who hit 12 home runs and was an important contributor for an injury-depleted team last year, signed with the Twins over the winter.

Former Astros prospect Jacob Melton, who made his MLB debut last season with Houston, was part of the Burrows trade.

And Jesus Sanchez, who didn’t hit well after the Astros acquired him from the Marlins, was sent to Toronto for Loperfido.

Overview

Like the Texas Rangers, the Astros have a playoff-caliber team. However, health will play a large role in whether Houston can make it back to October. Between the injuries to Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena, and Isaac Paredes, among others, last season, Houston’s offense took a steep hit in 2025.

Now, the Astros have a chance to move forward with a different-looking team.