Astros predicted to acquire $105 million Orioles All-Star to replace Kyle Tucker

The Houston Astros are a tricky team to figure out at the moment.

Following a dynastic run from 2017 to 2023, the Astros couldn't advance past the first round of the playoffs this past season. They also allowed their payroll to balloon to its all-time high, then began the process of saying goodbye to some superstars.

Free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman looks to have no spot to come back to, while superstar right fielder Kyle Tucker has already been traded to the Chicago Cubs. The Astros seem to be aware of the reality that a top-five payroll isn't their most sustainable route to success.

Still, it will be tantalizing for the Astros to look at the open market for Tucker's replacement, because the rest of their outfield lacks star potential in a serious way.

Laura Albanese of Newsday recently predicted that Houston would sign former Baltimore Orioles All-Star Anthony Santander in free agency.

"Santander isn’t the perfect player: He’s slow, he’s a below-average outfielder, and he doesn’t get on base all that much, but he represents instant offense, and plenty of teams could use that," Albanese said.

"The Astros could use some more offense, especially if they don’t sign Bregman, and they need an outfielder."

Santander, 30, belted a career-high 44 home runs in 2024, third-most in all of baseball. He totaled 102 RBI, an .814 OPS/134 OPS+, and 2.9 bWAR.

Santander's projected price tag, via The Athletic, is five years, $105 million. But the market doesn't seem as strong for the switch-hitter as initially expected, so perhaps the Astros can wait him out and sign him for a discount.

The money seems to be a major issue, but the Astros really could use a bat like Santander's to balance out their outfield. Only time will tell if it's in the realm of possibility.

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