The Houston Astros: What Went Wrong In 2025?

Injuries also decimated the pitching staff, though the staff was deep enough to still rank 11th in the majors in ERA, sixth in WHIP, and second in strikeouts. Closer Josh Hader (2.05, 28 saves, and 76 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings), who was having another dominant season, did not pitch after August 8. Starters JP France, Spencer Arrighetti, Ronel Blanco, Luis Garcia, Hayden Wesneski, Brandon Walter, Cristian Javier, and Lance McCullers Jr. all missed chunks of time. That made for a lot of fill-in starts.

Poor Outfield Production

While injuries ravaged the Astros, Houston’s team had its flaws, even when healthy. With Alvarez used primarily as a designated hitter throughout his career, the Astros’ starting outfield was supposed to be rookie Cam Smith, Jose Altuve, and Jake Meyers. The Astros moved Altuve to the outfield to try to add some production, with newcomer Brendan Rodgers taking over at second base. Rodgers ended up missing extended time with an oblique injury, and Altuve ended up back at second.

That meant that Chaz McCormick and utility man Mauricio Dubon spent more time in the outfield. Smith, Meyers, Dubon, and McCormick produced so little that Houston felt the need to trade for Miami Marlins’ outfielder Jesús Sánchez. Sanchez, who had hit .256 with ten homers and 36 RBI in Miami, hit just .199 for the Astros. It is hard to produce runs if none of your outfielders (other than Altuve) can hit.

Lack Of Star Power

Houston’s lack of outfield punch was largely of its own doing. The team let go of star outfielders George Springer and Kyle Tucker in recent years. Those weren’t the only offensive stars that the team didn’t fight to keep. Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa also left in free agency. That is a lot of offense to lose. The team was so desperate for star power on offense that they actually traded with the Minnesota Twins to bring Correa back to the team.

End Of My 2025 Houston Astros Rant

This year’s Astros were built to be led by their pitching staff, but the team expected much more from its offense. Injuries definitely played a part, but this version of the team clearly had its weaknesses. 2024 Chicago Cubs‘ first-round pick Cam Smith proved he was not quite ready for primetime, slashing just .236/.312/.358. 34-year-old first baseman Christian Walker looked terrible for half the season before finishing strong. Moving Altuve to the outfield was not a good idea, as he looked lost out there at times. Doing it to bring in the middling Rodgers, who hit just .191, made the decision that much worse.

All that said, the team could be right back in the playoffs next year if Houston can remain healthy. That is a big “if.” Altuve and Walker are no longer spring chickens, and Alvarez, Rodgers, McCullers, and Correa have long injury histories. There is a core there, though. Peña Alvarez, Walker, Altuve, Correa, and catcher Yainer Diaz make for a solid top six in the lineup. Hunter Brown (12-9, 2.43 ERA, 206K) and Framber Valdez (13-11, 3.66, 187K) are both potential aces. Combine those two with some combination of Javier, Blanco, Walter, Arrighetti, and Garcia, and you have a dynamic rotation.

Smith may be the X-factor next season. With the Cubs, he would have probably gotten more seasoning in the minors, but with Houston’s dearth of outfield talent, he spent the whole year gaining valuable major league experience. Despite his struggles, he showed flashes of what could be a solid big-league hitter…when he is ready. The Astros thought highly enough of him to make him the centerpiece of the deal that sent Kyle Tucker to the Cubs.

So, it was more than just the injuries that ended Houston’s playoff streak. Now the team’s brass must turn to the offseason and make some big decisions. Most likely, they will not try to re-sign Isaac Paredes or Brendan Rodgers, who are both set to become free agents. Unless the team wants to revisit the fiasco of playing Altuve in the outfield, the team’s infield would seem to be set. Walker will play first, Altuve will return to second, Pena will man shortstop, and presumably, Correa will stay at third. The team does still need at least one outfielder, though, and unless the Cubs extend Tucker, he could be the answer.

Another major decision is whether or not the team extends an offer to Valdez, who is also set to become a free agent. Through eight seasons in Houston, Valdez is 81-52 with a 3.36 ERA and 1053 strikeouts in 1080 2/3 innings. He also has a no-hitter and two All-Star games to his credit. Valdez has finished in the top ten of the Cy Young voting three times and has led the league in shutouts twice, innings pitched once, and complete games twice. Most importantly, he has been durable. The team has a lot of talented starters behind Valdez, but they have to actually be able to play if they are to replace him.