Houston Astros: Three budget friendly players to sign

Alex Colome #48 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning of the Wild Card Round Game One at RingCentral Coliseum on September 29, 2020 in Oakland, California. The White Sox won the game 4-1. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Jackie Bradley Jr.

Gone is the entire starting outfield in George Springer, Michael Brantley, and Josh Reddick. While Reddick and Springer will not be returning, Brantley could return. I’m thinking he’ll command too much money for the Houston Astros to be interested. Two years of Jackie Bradley Jr. will be about the same money as one for Brantley.

In the last normal season, the trio combined for 75 home runs. Those numbers will not be replaced by just one person, anyway, so why try? Bring in Bradley Jr. to hit some home runs, steal some bases, and save some runs on the defensive end.

Yordan Alvarez returns to the lineup after having surgery and missing all but two games last year. He’ll provide some power. Alvarez will be slotted as the designated hitter and won’t provide depth in the outfield. Kyle Tucker is coming into his own and Chas McCormick, after his addition to the playoff roster last season, is ready for the reins as well.

While Bradley Jr. doesn’t hit well, or get on base much, he does enough of the intangibles which allow him to fit in the Houston Astros lineup nicely. The Astros have guys to set the table, and move them around, they just need a role player who can run the bases well and make spectacular catches in the outfield.

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