Astros' Owner Taking Heat

The Houston Astros still have a loaded, ready-made, championship roster entering into 2024.

Their lineup figures to be one of the best in baseball once again and they should have enough pitching when everyone is healthy to compete for another World Series title.

However, after being eliminated by the free-spending Texas Rangers in the ALCS last season, many were clamoring for the Astros to be aggressive over the winter to add more pieces.

Yet, despite being worth over a billion dollars, owner Jim Crane decided he doesn't want to go over the luxury tax threshold and has limited what his general manager, Dana Brown, can do in free agency.

This has drawn some ire from many fans who consider this philosophy questionable at best.

"It's too bad Jim Crane doesn't know that the MLB doesn't have a salary cap. It's even worse that a billionaire living in an affordable city that is Houston, TX is too afraid of a luxury tax. Per his complacency, fans throughout this offseason have watched tons of potential Astros that could really help fill our gaping holes sign elsewhere," writes Jeremy Gretzer of Climbing Tal's Hill.

On the surface, it's hard not to agree with that sentiment.

Houston has built themselves into one of the best teams in American League history during this "Golden Era" as they've made seven-straight ALCS appearances and won two World Series titles.

But financial frugality has caused the Astros to allow some of their superstar players walk out of the building with more potentially coming the next couple years.

And while they have been able to find and develop talent, selecting lower in the draft and trading away their top pieces have emptied their farm system to the point of being considered the worst in Major League Baseball.

To compete, they have to spend money.

Yet, they aren't.

"Again, no one should be saying Crane should throw his entire net worth of money to preserve this dynasty, but teams that the Astros have beaten over the years are making a valiant effort to get better before our very eyes. It would make perfect sense to respond accordingly. For him to blame the lack of action on money lost from a recent local Houston TV deal is pure comedy," Gretzer continues.

That is also true.

The Rangers have spent aggressively to improve their roster immediately. The New York Yankees traded for Juan Soto and are pursuing other major upgrades. The Los Angeles Dodgers rewrote what an offseason looks like in the MLB. The Philadelphia Phillies re-signed their top priority and almost landed a coveted future superstar.

The Astros have done nothing except add a depth piece at catcher and made a bullpen addition.

Is that good enough to compete for a World Series title?

It might be.

After all, Houston has continually risen to the occasion no matter who is on their roster and who is in their lineup and rotation.

But as they enter a period where more talent could be on the way out if Crane doesn't spend more money, there is major concern that this "Golden Era" could come to a close because of their owner.