The Houston Astros’ offseason arrived sooner than expected, following their surprising elimination by the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card Round, which ended their streak of seven consecutive ALCS appearances.
The team now faces several major decisions, one of the biggest being whether they can re-sign third baseman Alex Bregman. While it’s difficult to picture the Astros without Bregman at third base, free agency can bring unexpected changes. Though staying with one team for an entire career has its appeal, money often plays a decisive role.
If a rival team presents an offer too enticing for Bregman to refuse, the Astros will need to find a replacement at the hot corner. But who could step in?
Here are three potential players the Astros could target to replace their long-time third baseman if he leaves in free agency:
Brett Baty : Houston has several young players, including Shay Whitcomb, who could potentially take over at third base in 2025. Whitcomb, a standout performer in the minors in 2024, might factor into the mix.
If the Astros feel he’s not quite ready, they could explore trade options for a high-upside player, such as the New York Mets’ current third baseman, Brett Baty.
Brett Baty has been overtaken by Mark Vientos in the Mets’ depth chart, with Vientos holding down third base since mid-May and now batting second in their postseason lineup behind Francisco Lindor.
A change of scenery could benefit the former top prospect, and with a weak free-agent market, a trade might be the best route for Baty.
Eugenio Suárez: After Alex Bregman, the free-agent market for third basemen is thin, potentially driving up Bregman’s price even more. Suárez, a veteran who had a resurgent 2024 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, stands out as a likely second option.
Suárez hit 30 home runs for the third time in four years and posted his lowest strikeout rate since 2018. He also recorded 100 RBIs for the first time since 2019. Known for his powerful bat, Suárez would add more pop to the Astros’ lineup while providing adequate defense at third base.
Yandy DÃaz: Houston could address two needs by acquiring DÃaz from the Tampa Bay Rays. While he played first base exclusively in 2024, he has prior experience at third, another position the Astros might need to fill.
Though DÃaz’s defense is not his strength, his bat remains productive, making him an appealing trade target. His name was frequently mentioned leading up to the summer trade deadline, but the Rays held onto him. A trade before Opening Day remains a strong possibility.
