Astros predicted to take a 'flier' on former Gold Glove, 37-homer outfielder

The Houston Astros might not be having a great 2026 season, at least by their normal standards, but a postseason berth is still very much in play.

Looking ahead to the 2026-2027 MLB offseason, the Astros are going to have some work to do. One of the key areas to address will be their outfield, as their addition of Daulton Varsho was only a temporary solution.

While they could bring him back, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter is predicting they will find a new name for their center field spot. Instead, the Astros are predicted to take a flier on Luis Robert Jr., the former Gold Glove, 37-homer All-Star.

Astros predicted to take a flier on Luis Robert Jr.

"A reunion with Daulton Varsho or a flier on someone like Luis Robert Jr. looks like a must to shore up center field," Reuter writes.

Reuter predicted the Astros' Opening Day lineup for 2027 would have Robert slotted in center field, and hitting seventh ahead of Yanier Diaz and Cam Smith.

Robert would be a low-risk, high-upside signing for the Astros this upcoming offseason. That's thanks to his cost likely not being too high on the open market.

He was claimed by the Baltimore Orioles after the New York Mets placed him on waivers this season, and now Baltimore has a $20 million club option with Robert that they're likely to decline.

To do so, they will have to pay Robert a buyout, which could help the Astros land Robert on a cheaper one-year prove-it contract this upcoming offseason.

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While he hasn't been all that good this season, posting a 707 OPS with a 98 OPS+ while missing a significant amount of time due to injuries, there's still some potential with his game worth taking a chance on.

The Astros likely would not have to spend much to get him. With his high upside, previously hitting 37 homers in 2023 while being an All-Star and winning a Gold Glove, he's the exact kind of player the Astros should be trying to add this offseason.

This prediction from Reuter, while maybe not the most exciting, would make a lot of sense for an Astros team heading into what could be a major transition year after Dana Brown and Joe Espada are out.

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