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3 players for Houston Astros to target this offseason

By David Hill

Oct 23, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) hits an hits an RBI double in the second inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the ALCS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) hits an hits an RBI double in the second inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the ALCS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros are in a strange place heading into the 2022-23 offseason.

Yes, they are fresh off of a World Series championship, their second in franchise history. This one is unsullied, hopefully burying AstroGate and the belief that they could only win a title by cheating. Dusty Baker finally got his ring and is returning for an encore. Most of the roster and coaching staff will be back next year as well, making them a favorite to repeat as champions.

Three players for Houston Astros to target

But there is also some turnover, especially in the front office. General manager James Click is out, having been let go less than a week after winning the championship. Not only do the Astros have to find a permanent answer as their GM, but they have several important holes to fill on the roster. With the Mariners looking like a perennial contender, and the Rangers on the upswing, this could be a crucial offseason as the Astros look to reload.

The Houston Astros are still favorites to win a championship, but they need to upgrade the roster. Let’s look at three players they should target this offseason.

Anthony Rizzo

One of the priorities for the Houston Astros should be first base.

The Astros did not get much production from the position at all last year. Their first basemen combined to post a .231/.276/.344 batting line with just ten homers over 700 plate appearances last season, surprisingly awful numbers for a team that had so much success. As it was, their -1.4 fWAR at the position was 29th in the majors, ahead of only Pirates.

It is also a position that is going to see change. Yuli Gurriel and Trey Mancini are both free agents. This gives the Astros the perfect opportunity to improve the position, something that they are fully aware of as Ken Rosenthal from FOX Sports has reported that Anthony Rizzo is atop their wish list at first.

Rizzo would certainly bring far more power to the lineup than what the Astros had at first last season. His presence would make the lineup that much deeper, eliminating one of the dead spots in the batting order. He is not going to be cheap as other teams, such as the Yankees, are going to be in his market. However, he could make a tremendous difference in their chances for next season.

First base was a black hole for the Houston Astros last year. Adding Anthony Rizzo could make a tremendous difference.

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