With so many players already under long-term contracts or locked into deals for the upcoming 2024 season, the Houston Astros were expected to be one of the most dormant teams during the winter.
They still had a ready-made roster, and without a lot of financial flexibility, it seemed like they might not be in the running for many top-end players.
After getting eliminated in the ALCS by their division and instate rival Texas Rangers, the decision to sit around and not add in free agency wasn't very popular from fans of the team.
Losing three of their relievers to the open market and another to injury didn't help with the appearance that the Astros weren't going to do much.
However, they shocked everyone when they handed superstar closer Josh Hader a megadeal that pushed them over the luxury tax threshold for only the second time since Jim Crane has owned the team.
Their ability to lock franchise icon Jose Altuve into an extension that keeps him with the organization until he retires was also a nice touch to get done.
With the previous additions of reliever Dylan Coleman, backup catcher Victor Caratini, and trading for top prospect Trey Cabbage, this prompted Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com to say Houston had the ninth-best offseason out of any team in the bigs.
Based on expectations coming in, it's hard to argue that the Astros didn't put together the best winter amongst Major League teams.
They went from thinking they would add only one or two pieces, to landing the best closer in the sport, important depth pieces, and keeping their legendary second baseman with the team.
Houston will once again be a major favorite in the American League and their big offseason is another reason why.
More must-reads: