Astros aim to shore up roster for another run in 2017

HOUSTON — This offseason figures to be the most important of general manager Jeff Luhnow’s tenure, as he enters his sixth season with the Astros in 2017. The team took a step back after 2015’s surprising run to the postseason, with major question marks at first base, catcher, outfield and in the rotation.

The Astros figure to have the payroll flexibility to be active in the free-agent market, but the pool of talent isn’t deep. That means clubs might have to overpay for what they want. Houston will likely be in the market for a starting pitcher, unless it decides to beef up on offense and roll the dice with the same arms it had this season.

The team’s Minor League system has seen most of its top prospects hit Houston in recent years, led by infielder Alex Bregman and pitchers Joe Musgrove, Jandel Gustave and David Paulino in 2016. Most of the organization’s top Minor League prospects are at the lower levels, which makes external additions this offseason more likely.

• Astros reach brink of playoffs after rough start

Despite this season’s early end, the Astros figure to remain a contender in 2017. They have a talented young lineup and a bullpen that, if it returns intact, could be among the best in the game. Whatever the Astros decide to do with the starting rotation could hold the key to their fortunes.

Arbitration-eligible: SP Dallas Keuchel, IF Marwin Gonzalez, SP Collin McHugh, RP Will Harris, SP Mike Fiers, RF George Springer, C/DH Evan Gattis (team has $5.2 million option which, if not exercised, would make him arbitration-eligible).

Free agents: C Jason Castro, OF Colby Rasmus, SP Doug Fister, 3B Luis Valbuena, RP Pat Neshek ($500,000 buyout on $6.5 million option for 2017).

Rotation: The Astros didn’t get near the same kind of production they got from their rotation in 2015, which presents a dilemma. Do they stick with Keuchel and McHugh at the top of the rotation and hope they return to 2014-15 form, while hoping Lance McCullers can remain healthy? Or do they make an offseason addition to bolster the top end? The free-agent market isn’t a good one, and a trade would be costly. Fister’s rough September probably means he’s not coming back, while a decision will need to be made about whether or not to tender Fiers. Musgrove pitched well overall in his debut — and other young arms like Paulino, Brady Rodgers and Francis Martes could push for some starts, as well.

Bullpen: Although the Astros squandered more than their share of leads in the late …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com