After the Winter Meetings, it seemed like the Houston Astros' front office was content with their signing of a backup catcher and making a trade for a reliever this offseason. They would head into 2024 with more reliance on some younger pieces as well.
Owner Jim Crane wants to stay under the tax threshold and general manager Dana Brown seemed willing to work with that in his first full offseason in charge.
Well, things might change after their instate and division rival, Texas Rangers, signed a starting pitcher.
"Right-handed starter Tyler Mahle and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a two-year, $22 million contract, sources told ESPN," according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
How content are the Astros going to be now?
While this isn't a blockbuster by any means, it signals that the Rangers are willing to spend again to improve their team. Tyler Mahle is coming off Tommy John surgery in May of 2023, but is expected to appear in 2024.
Houston, on the other hand, is using the arbitrary tax figure to prevent them from adding players that would help them win right now.
This has forced them to sit back and watch as other teams have loaded up on talent across Major League Baseball.
Perhaps this still doesn't make things hot within the Astros' organization. After all, no money can be spent if Crane isn't willing to give it out, so even if Brown started feeling some pressure, it would be up to Crane to give the green light.
But, maybe this move has Crane feeling squirmy.
Houston has been the marquee franchise in the state the past decade, constantly crushing Texas.
Now? Well, the Rangers are coming off a World Series championship, are really good and could steal much of that spotlight away from what the Astros have built in recent years.
Owners don't like that, especially one who has put a lot of personal resources into his baseball team.
Maybe this move is a blip on Houston's radar.
Or maybe this provides a little heat to get the organization to become more active this offseason.
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