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The Houston Astros have moves to make to better the team during the offseason. Whether they make a big splash is one thing, but reports now suggest that the Astros could be moving on from certain players to get below the luxury tax.
The rumors started recently around Framber Valdez, who could put Houston below the luxury tax and give them some flexibility. Trading Valdez could allow the Astros to receive prospects or another quality starter in return. If it keeps them under the luxury tax, Jim Crane could be interested in doing just that.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Astros could be looking to move Valdez to get under that threshold, which would allow them to get under the tax and make small moves to better the roster.
"The team, however, currently is just over the initial $237 million luxury-tax threshold, according to Fangraphs’ calculations. One agent in contact with the Astros says club officials are signaling that money is an issue. Under owner Jim Crane, the team has exceeded the threshold only once."
As Rosenthal noted, Crane has been over that threshold once since owning the team. In his defense, that hasn't been an issue. Despite staying under the luxury tax, Houston has been the best team in baseball for many years.
While losing someone like Valdez could become an issue, the Astros have found ways to replace guys. The organization has lost countless pieces that helped them win and replaced them with cheaper options while still winning.
More must-reads:
- Surprising Marlins earn MLB first in sweep of Yankees
- Brewers place All-Star righty Jacob Misiorowski on 15-day injured list
- The '250-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz
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Commanders' multi-purpose weapon is good as gone entering August
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