After dealing outfielder Kyle Tucker and most likely saying goodbye to third baseman Alex Bregman, the Houston Astros will look very different in 2025.
But Space City isn’t just watching. In the Tucker trade, the Astros acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Chicago Cubs and signed first baseman Christian Walker.
For the forthcoming season, Houston’s infield appears to be well-positioned. The Astros aren’t done yet, though, according to MLB Insider Hector Gomez, who revealed that they had extended an offer to free-agent infielder Jorge Polanco for a one-year, $4 million deal.
Polanco, who was a member of the Minnesota Twins’ 2019 American League All-Star team, spent the previous season with the Seattle Mariners.
If the 31-year-old signs with Houston, he could support shortstop Jeremy Pena as well as second baseman Jose Altuve. He might give the Astros a backup option at third base as well because he is comfortable playing there.
The 31-year-old switch-hitter was severely limited by chronic left knee discomfort last season, posting a career-low.651 OPS in 118 games.
But he just underwent arthroscopic surgery to fix damage to repair damage to the patellar tendon in the knee, which could give his career a new lease on life. After all, he had a .780 OPS over ten seasons with the Twins before his doomed stint in Seattle.
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