<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-signing-blue-jays-pitcher-1-year-contract-nate-pearson');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros announce signing of ex-Blue Jays pitcher to 1-year contract');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Former-Blue-Jays-pitcher-Nate-Pearson.jpg"><figcaption>John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros announce signing of ex-Blue Jays pitcher to 1-year contract</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T10:51:53-07:00">October 21st, 10:51am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T10:51:53-07:00">October 21st, 10:51am</time><address><a>Russell Steinberg</a>Russell Steinberg covers Major League Baseball and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. A baseball and basketball lifer, he has written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, The Next, and more. He graduated from NYU in 2012 and still returns to serve as PA announcer and occasional broadcaster for the school’s basketball and volleyball teams.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros started their offseason earlier than they have in any year since 2016, and they’re already making moves to bolster their club.</p><p>Houston has signed <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-agrees-contract-ex-top-pitching-prospect">former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson</a> to a <a href="https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/nate-pearson-signs-deal-with-astros" rel="noopener">one-year Major League contract</a>, the Astros announced on Tuesday. The deal is for $1.38 million, according to multiple reports.</p><p>Pearson started his career with the current American League champions, with Toronto selecting him 28th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft. He failed to become a consistent piece in the Blue Jays’ bullpen, however, over four seasons, and Toronto <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-chicago-trades-blue-jays-ex-top-prospect-deadline">traded him to the Chicago Cubs</a> in 2024 for a pair of minor leaguers.</p><p>In 2024, he appeared in 19 games for the Cubs down the stretch, pitching to a 2.73 ERA and throwing the 8th inning of the Cubs’ combined no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates in September.</p><p>Pearson stayed in Chicago in 2025 as well, but did not see much success, saddled with a 9.20 ERA over 11 appearances. He started the season in the Majors but split time between Chicago and Triple-A Iowa before the club designated him for assignment in September.</p><p>Pearson’s numbers in Triple-A provide a little more insight into Houston’s interest in him. In 38 appearances for Iowa, he had a 3.43 ERA with 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings. His walk rate was still high, but he also allowed just one home run in 44.2 innings with only 27 hits allowed. Opponents hit only .175 off of Pearson in Triple-A and he built a 1.140 WHIP.</p><p>His signing now makes the Astros’ 40-man roster full.</p><p>By no means did the Astros have a bad bullpen in 2025. Behind closer Josh Hader, manager Joe Espada was able to build a reliable middle-late inning bridge. Houston relievers, however, did have a problem keeping the ball in the ballpark. The Astros bullpen allowed 81 home runs — tied for the sixth-most in the Major Leagues.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros announce signing of ex-Blue Jays pitcher to 1-year contract

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-perfect-trade-offer-for-phillies-nick-castellanos');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ perfect trade offer for Phillies’ Nick Castellanos');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Astros-perfect-trade-offer-for-Phillies-Nick-Castellanos.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros’ perfect trade offer for Phillies’ Nick Castellanos</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-19T07:16:40-07:00">October 19th, 7:16am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-19T07:16:40-07:00">October 19th, 7:16am</time><address><a>Garrett Kerman</a>Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-moves-on-hitting-coach-alex-cintron-missing-playoffs">Houston Astros missed the playoffs</a> for the first time since 2016 in 2025, signaling the end of an era and the beginning of a critical offseason retool. With uncertainty in their outfield and limited payroll flexibility after exceeding the luxury tax threshold, the Astros need cost-effective upgrades to return to contention in 2026. Enter Nick Castellanos, the Philadelphia Phillies’ veteran right fielder <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/phillies-rumors-heres-how-desperate-philly-will-be-trade-nick-castellanos">who is expected to be traded or released this offseason</a> following a tumultuous 2025 campaign.​</p><p>While Castellanos endured a career-worst season—posting a .250/.294/.400 slash line with 17 home runs, 72 RBIs, and a -1.0 WAR—he remains just one year removed from an All-Star appearance in 2023 and brings veteran leadership to a young Houston clubhouse. With $20 million remaining on his contract for 2026 and the Phillies openly seeking to move on from the 33-year-old outfielder, the Astros have an opportunity to acquire a proven bat while addressing Philadelphia’s roster construction needs.​</p><h2>Why This Trade Makes Sense for Houston</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Philadelphia-Phillies-outfielder-Nick-Castellanos-1.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Astros’ outfield situation for 2026 is fluid at best. Cam Smith, Jake Meyers, and youngsters Zach Cole and Zach Dezenzo provide depth, but none have established themselves as everyday impact players. Yordan Alvarez continues splitting time between left field and designated hitter, leaving Houston without a clear right-field solution.​</p><p>Castellanos, despite his defensive limitations, would provide the Astros with a veteran bat who can still hit for power. His 70-grade raw power and ability to drive the ball gives Houston another middle-of-the-order threat alongside Jose Altuve, Jeremy Peña, and Alvarez. The right-handed slugger’s career .272 average and 250 home runs over 13 seasons demonstrate a track record of production that exceeds what Houston’s current outfield options have shown.​</p><p>Furthermore, the Astros’ payroll situation demands creative solutions. Currently sitting at approximately $233 million in projected commitments for 2026, Houston has limited room under the $244 million luxury tax threshold. If the Phillies eat a significant portion of Castellanos’ $20 million salary—say $12-14 million—the Astros could add an established veteran for $6-8 million, a palatable figure for a team needing outfield reinforcements without breaking the bank.​</p><h2>What the Phillies Need in Return</h2><p>Philadelphia’s offseason priorities are clear: remake the outfield, bolster the bullpen, and inject youth into an aging core. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has been non-committal about Castellanos’ future, acknowledging the public incidents between the outfielder and manager Rob Thomson while suggesting the team will explore all options.​</p><p>The Phillies don’t need Castellanos’ $20 million on the books while trying to re-sign free agents Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto. By trading Castellanos to Houston and eating a portion of his contract, Philadelphia can clear payroll space, acquire young, controllable talent, and address their need for bullpen depth and organizational pitching.​</p><p>The Astros possess a farm system ranked 29th in baseball, but they still have intriguing pieces who could help Philadelphia. Houston’s system includes young pitchers and position players who haven’t cracked the major league roster but offer upside and team control—exactly what the Phillies need as they transition from an aging core to sustainable contention.​</p><h2>The Perfect Trade Package</h2><p><b>Houston Astros receive:</b></p><ul><li>OF Nick Castellanos</li><li>$13 million (cash considerations covering portion of 2026 salary)</li></ul><p><b>Philadelphia Phillies receive:</b></p><ul><li>RHP Miguel Ullola (Astros’ No. 4 prospect)</li><li>OF/INF Zach Cole</li><li>RHP Colton Gordon</li></ul><p>Miguel Ullola is the centerpiece returning to Philadelphia. The 23-year-old right-hander ranks as Houston’s No. 4 prospect and top-rated pitching prospect in their system. In 2025, Ullola went 5-9 with a 4.28 ERA across Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land, but his peripherals tell a more impressive story: 171 strikeouts in 130.1 innings and a microscopic .163 batting average against, the lowest among all qualified minor league pitchers in 2024. Ullola’s power arsenal and strikeout ability give the Phillies a near-MLB-ready arm who could contribute as soon as 2026, either in the bullpen or rotation depth—two areas of need for Philadelphia.​</p><p>Zach Cole, Houston’s 2025 Minor League Player of the Year, brings versatility and upside to the Phillies’ outfield. The 25-year-old left-handed hitter slashed .279/.377/.539 with 19 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases across 97 games between Double-A and Triple-A. After his promotion to Sugar Land in late August, Cole exploded, hitting .353/.459/.745 with five home runs in 15 games, including the first walk-off grand slam in Space Cowboys history. The Phillies need outfield depth behind their aging core, and Cole’s left-handed bat, athleticism, and power-speed combination fit perfectly as a fourth outfielder or platoon option in 2026.​</p><p>Colton Gordon rounds out the package as a left-handed bullpen arm with upside. The Phillies’ bullpen was a glaring weakness in 2025, and adding young, controllable relief pitching addresses an organizational need. Gordon gives Philadelphia depth and another arm to develop, fitting their emphasis on rebuilding the bullpen through trades and internal development.​</p><p>For Houston, this deal brings Castellanos at an affordable $7 million price tag after Philadelphia absorbs $13 million. That figure fits comfortably within the Astros’ luxury tax constraints while upgrading their outfield with a proven veteran. While parting with Ullola stings, Houston’s immediate need is offense, not pitching depth—they have Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, and others returning from injury. Cole, while promising, faces an uncertain role in Houston’s crowded outfield picture, and his value may never be higher after his breakout 2025 season.​</p><p>For Philadelphia, this trade accomplishes multiple objectives: clearing Castellanos’ contract, acquiring a potential rotation arm in Ullola, adding outfield depth in Cole, and bolstering the bullpen with Gordon. Most importantly, it allows the Phillies to redirect payroll toward retaining Schwarber and Realmuto while injecting young, controllable talent into a system that desperately needs it.​</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ perfect trade offer for Phillies’ Nick Castellanos

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/mlb-stories/astros-news-martin-maldonado-brewers-catcher-retirement');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ex-Astros, Brewers catcher makes retirement announcement');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Martin-Maldonado-during-2023-MLB-playoffs.jpg"><figcaption>Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Ex-Astros, Brewers catcher makes retirement announcement</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-18T08:47:15-07:00">October 18th, 8:47am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-18T08:47:15-07:00">October 18th, 8:47am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Former Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DP898xNjm8R/" rel="noopener">announced his</a> retirement via an Instagram post Saturday. In addition to Milwaukee and Houston, the catcher spent time with the Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres during his 15-year big league career. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-diego-padres/padres-news-san-diego-brings-back-world-series-champion-but-theres-a-catch">Maldonado most recently played with the Padres,</a> but spent six seasons with both the Brewers and Astros — winning a championship in Houston in 2022.</p><p>Maldonado shared both a heartfelt message and a video in the Instagram post.</p><p>“I was just four years old when I fell in love with you,” Maldonado wrote. “From the moment I first put on that catcher’s gear, I knew this game would be part of me forever. Every inning, every pitch, every moment behind the plate has been a blessing. For 34 years, I’ve had the honor of wearing that gear — and for the last 15, doing it at the highest level. Today, it’s time to hang them up and officially call it a career.”</p><p>The former Astros catcher then took some time to thank his family.</p><p>“To my wife, Janelise, and to my amazing kids — Anaiah, Aiden, and Gianna — what a journey we’ve lived together. Thank you for your love, your patience, and your unwavering support through all the highs and lows. Thank you for the sacrifices, year after year, that allowed me to chase a dream that started when I was just a kid — and became our dream as a family.<br>We’ve shared so many memories — traveling from city to city, packing bags, celebrating wins, learning from losses, laughing, crying, and growing together. You’ve been the heart of my home and the strength that carried me through it all. I love you with all my heart.</p><p>“To my mom, Jeanette, my dad, Martin, my brother, Carlitos, and my sister, Adelys — what a ride we’ve had. You were there from day one, teaching me the game, taking me to practices, cheering from the stands, and never missing a single inning. None of this would have been possible without your sacrifices, your belief, and your love. You gave me the foundation to live this dream, and I share this moment with all of you.”</p><p>Maldonado then thanked his teammates, coaches and others.</p><p>“And to all my teammates, coaches, trainers, fans, and friends — every single one of you has left a mark on my life and career,” the ex-Astros and Brewers player continued. “You pushed me, challenged me, and inspired me to become the best version of myself. I’m forever grateful for the brotherhood, the memories, and the respect we built along the way.</p><p>“To the fans — thank you for your passion, your energy, and for making every moment special. You’ve made this game even more beautiful. As I take off the gear for the last time, I do it with a full heart — grateful, proud, and forever in love with the game that gave me everything.</p><p>“Thank you, baseball. And thank you all for being part of this incredible journey.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-martin-maldonado-finding-positives-houstons-failed-world-series-pursuit">Martin Maldonado enjoyed an impressive career</a> at the big league level. Now, he will begin his next chapter in retirement.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ex-Astros, Brewers catcher makes retirement announcement

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-trade-offer-tigers-tarik-skubal');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ perfect trade offer for Tigers’ Tarik Skubal');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Detroit-Tigers-starting-pitcher-Tarik-Skubal-10.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ perfect trade offer for Tigers’ Tarik Skubal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-17T14:16:18-07:00">October 17th, 2:16pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-17T14:16:18-07:00">October 17th, 2:16pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros have a lot to prove after just missing the postseason this year. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-agrees-contract-ex-top-pitching-prospect">Astros general manager Dana Brown made his first move of the offseason on Friday, signing Nate Pearson to a one-year, $1.35 million deal</a>. If Houston wants to go star hunting, the Detroit Tigers and Tarik Skubal are still at odds. It would cost Framber Valdez and more, but there is a trade to be made.</p><p>Earlier this season, rumors flew around <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-rumors-houston-probably-wont-re-sign-framber-valdez-writer-says">Houston that the front office would not want to bring Valdez back</a>. The starting pitcher had some great moments for the Astros throughout the regular season. However, his age and the fact that he intentionally crossed up his catcher all but killed his reputation in Houston. His time with the team is likely over, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t useful.</p><p>Skubal, on the other hand, is one of the most valuable pitchers in Major League Baseball today. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/detroit-tigers/tigers-news-tarik-skubal-mlb-postseason-record-game-5-mariners">Tigers ace set records during the team’s playoff run</a> to put a cap on another dominant season. He is the favorite to walk away with the American League Cy Young Award for the second straight season. Despite all of that success, he still does not have a contract extension in place.</p><p>The Tigers and Astros have reignited their rivalry in recent years. In 2024, Detroit manager AJ Hinch got revenge on his former team, sending Houston home in the ALWCS. Both teams are full of talent and figure to be powerhouses in 2026 if they remain healthy. However, both Brown and Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg are under pressure to improve their rosters.</p><p>Trade rumors involving Skubal have gotten louder and louder. Here is who the Astros could offer in a trade.</p><p>Tigers receive: SP Framber Valdez(sign and trade), SP Miguel Ullola, 2B Brice Matthews, 3B Isaac Paredes</p><p>Astros receive: SP Tarik Skubal</p><h2>Why should the Houston Astros trade for Tarik Skubal?</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Tarik-Skubal-1.jpg"><figcaption>Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Astros are one of the few modern MLB dynasties left standing. However, the team has struggled to maintain the high standards it has for its starting rotation. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-hunter-brown-joe-espada-discuss-potential-season-finale-start">Brown has blossomed into Houston’s ace</a> and figures to play a big role in the team’s success for years to come. However, the pitchers alongside him in the starting rotation leave a lot to be desired.</p><p>Skubal would walk through the door as the clear-cut No. 1 starter. Brown is good, but Detroit’s All-Star is in a league of his own. MLB insiders believe that a Skubal trade is on the horizon, and Houston has a gaping hole that he fits perfectly. He would take Valdez’s role, helping Brown develop beside one of the league’s best starters in the middle of his prime on the pitcher’s mound.</p><p>The Astros have a great mix of old and young talent to offer. Houston would move off of Valdez and Paredes, two players whose best days are behind them. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-call-up-top-prospect-rangers-series">Brice Matthews made waves when the Astros called him up</a>, but would prosper in a new situation. Houston has enough to entice Greenberg in trade talks and the desperation necessary to get a deal done as soon as possible.</p><h2>Why should the Detroit Tigers trade Tarik Skubal away?</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Detroit-makes-huge-MLB-All-Star-Game-flex-with-epic-photo.jpg"><figcaption>© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/detroit-tigers/tigers-ceo-sidesteps-tarik-skubal-contract-extension-question">Tigers’ CEO dodged questions about extending Skubal before the postseason began</a>. The pitcher has one more year on his contract, but Detroit cannot risk losing him for nothing. In a perfect world, the front office would have enough money to keep their homegrown talent with the team. If he stays, the Tigers can continuing developing into a perennial World Series threat.</p><p>Unfortunately, Detroit plays in a smaller market compared to Houston, Los Angeles, or New York. The team has to be careful when it comes to big investments and lucrative contracts. At first, Skubal seems more than worthy of taking that risk as a team, finishing with a <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/42409/tarik-skubal" rel="noopener">13-6 record in 2025</a>. However, he is one injury away from throwing the Tigers back into MLB’s void of mediocrity.</p><p>The Astros can give Detroit players that help both now and later. Valdez is no longer the elite pitcher he once was, but the Tigers can use 2026 to build his value and trade him at the deadline. Matthews and Ullola give the team two top prospects to develop and add to an already talented lineup in the coming years. This trade gives them the best chance of staying atop the league.</p><p>Trading Skubal would be a tough blow for the Tigers. However, the Astros can offer them the best deal in what could be a win-win trade for both sides.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ perfect trade offer for Tigers’ Tarik Skubal

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-agrees-contract-ex-top-pitching-prospect');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros agree to contract with ex-top pitching prospect');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Houston-Astros-starting-pitcher-Nate-Pearson.jpg"><figcaption>Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros agree to contract with ex-top pitching prospect</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-17T12:45:55-07:00">October 17th, 12:45pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-17T12:45:55-07:00">October 17th, 12:45pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros entered the 2025 offseason with plenty of questions. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/why-framber-valdez-astros-future-will-be-determined-in-october">Astros general manager Dana Brown still has to decide whether or not to negotiate a contract extension with Framber Valdez</a>. In the meantime, Houston brought in former Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Nate Pearson on a one-year deal. The righty was one of the Toronto Blue Jays top prospects back in 2021.</p><p>Pearson spent two major league seasons with the Cubs before his contract expired at the end of the season. He gives the Astros a younger pitcher to pair alongside Hunter Brown as the team tries to retool its roster. According to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, Houston <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1979264475967688755" rel="noopener">has big plans</a> for the newest addition to the rotation.</p><p>“The Astros are in agreement with right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson on a one-year, $1.35 million contract, pending physical, source tells The Athletic. The Astros plan to work Pearson as a starter,” Rome confirmed.</p><p>Brown has his work cut out for him this offseason. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-did-framber-valdez-intentionally-hit-own-catcher-with-pitch">optics around Valdez have been bad in Houston ever since he intentionally crossed up his catcher</a> in a game. Adding Pearson to an affordable contract is a step in the right direction. If nothing else, Pearson will have plenty of opportunity to rebuild the hype he had when he was in the Blue Jay’s farm system.</p><p>Injuries derailed the Astros’ season down the stretch. However, Brown does not have to replace players like Josh Hader and Yordan Alvarez this offseason. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-moves-on-hitting-coach-alex-cintron-missing-playoffs">Houston already made moves to improve, moving on from a hitting coach</a> to help re-shape the offense. Pearson figures to be a big piece of the Astros’ plans moving forward as the team tries to re-assert itself in the AL West.</p><p>Houston is far from done when it comes to making moves this winter. However, bringing Pearson in is a good start for Brown and the front office.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros agree to contract with ex-top pitching prospect

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-moves-on-hitting-coach-alex-cintron-missing-playoffs');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros move on from hitting coach after missing playoffs');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Former-hitting-coach-of-the-Houston-Astros-Alex-Cintron.jpg"><figcaption>Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros move on from hitting coach after missing playoffs</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-09T10:43:07-07:00">October 9th, 10:43am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-09T10:43:07-07:00">October 9th, 10:43am</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-dana-brown-joe-espada-return-2026">Houston Astros finished the regular season</a> with an 87-75 record, missing out on the MLB Playoffs by a hair. With the club focusing its attention on the offseason, the organization made a change to the coaching staff on Thursday.</p><p>Reports indicate that the Astros <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6703908/2025/10/09/astros-alex-cintron-coaching-departures/" rel="noopener">are letting go of</a> hitting coach Alex Cintrón, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Cintrón’s contract expired at the end of the 2025 campaign, and the franchise decided not to renew it.</p><p>“The Houston Astros will not renew the contract of longtime hitting coach Alex Cintrón, two league sources told The Athletic on Thursday. More changes also could be coming to manager Joe Espada’s coaching staff, according to league sources.”</p><p>Cintrón, who is 46 years old, initially signed a three-year deal with Houston back in 2022. The writing may have been on the wall for the former hitting coach of the Astros, as it is said that general manager Dana Brown informed Alex Cintrón and other hitting coach Troy Snitker about the team’s production at the plate after the 2024 season.</p><p>Brown reportedly informed both Cintrón and Snitker that he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-joe-espada-defended-by-josh-reddick">wanted the Astros</a> to be more patient in their at-bat attempts while being aggressive on pitches in the zone in the 2025 season. Instead, Houston recorded the second-highest chase rate in the league while also having the third-fewest pitches per plate appearance. According to Rome, that is essentially the exact opposite of what Brown wanted.</p><p>“Last winter, Brown said he met with both Cintrón and fellow hitting coach Troy Snitker after Brown believed the Astros ‘got away’ from their collective offensive approach. Among the points Brown emphasized to the hitting coaches were seeing more pitches and ‘being a little bit more patient, and aggressive in zone, not so much aggressive out of the zone,’ Brown said.</p><p>“In response, the 2025 Astros boasted MLB’s second-highest chase rate and saw the third-fewest pitches per plate appearance of any lineup. Significant injuries to Isaac Paredes, Yordan Alvarez, and Jeremy Peña contributed to the decline. In particular, Paredes was acquired for his patience and ability to work at-bats.”</p><p>The Astros were Alex Cintrón’s first opportunity to coach for an MLB organization. After working for the franchise since 2018, the former infielder will have to look for a new opportunity elsewhere.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros move on from hitting coach after missing playoffs

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-dana-brown-joe-espada-return-2026');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros GM Dana Brown, manager Joe Espada to return in 2026');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Joe-Espada-with-Houston-Astros.jpg"><figcaption>Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros GM Dana Brown, manager Joe Espada to return in 2026</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-07T13:43:05-07:00">October 7th, 1:43pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-07T13:43:05-07:00">October 7th, 1:43pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros missed the playoffs in 2025 for the first time since 2016. After losing Kyle Tucker and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-alex-bregman-pens-heartfelt-farewell-houston-red-sox-signing">Alex Bregman in the offseason</a>, the injury bug hit the pitching staff during the season. Framber Valdez could be leaving in the offseason, but there won’t be wholesale changes in Space City. According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, the Astros <a href="https://x.com/brianmctaggart/status/1975649333992431945" rel="noopener">will keep general manager</a> Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada for 2026.</p><p>“Source: Astros GM Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada are both under contract for next year and will return in 2026, a source tells MLB.com. Any speculation about their futures can be put to rest,” McTaggart reported.</p><p>Espada took over as the Astros’ bench boss in 2024 after Dusty Baker retired. In his two seasons in Houston, they were swept in the Wild Card Series and then fell short of the postseason. He will get a third shot with this group, and they have to get healthy to get back in World Series contention.</p><p>Brown was hired before the 2023 season to be the Astros’ general manager. He comes from the Alex Anthopoulos tree, working under him in Toronto and Atlanta. His biggest move of his career was the Kyle Tucker trade, which may work out for the team in the long run. Despite losing a talent like Tucker, both Cam Smith and Hayden Wesneski were solid in 2025. Can he change the Astros’ fates this winter with a big offseason?</p><p>The Astros head into the offseason with a big question at the top of their rotation. Will the coaching stability lead to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/mlb-rumors-framber-valdez-cross-up-free-agency-payday">Valdez leaving after the viral cross-up that started the September downfall</a>? They have young pitchers to build on if he does leave, especially Hunter Brown, who had a sensational season.</p><p>Who should the Astros sign or trade for in the offseason? Would missing the playoffs in 2026 cost Espada and Brown their jobs?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros GM Dana Brown, manager Joe Espada to return in 2026

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-luis-garcia-elbow-surgery-miss-2026-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ Luis Garcia undergoes elbow surgery, expected to miss 2026 season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Astros-SP-Luis-Garcia.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ Luis Garcia undergoes elbow surgery, expected to miss 2026 season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-03T15:23:44-07:00">October 3rd, 3:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-03T16:05:40-07:00">October 3rd, 4:05pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Houston Astros right-hander <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-luis-garcia-miss-entire-2026-season-elbow-surgery">Luis Garcia underwent a second Tommy John surgery</a> on Wednesday, which included a reconstruction of his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1974201086627233917" rel="noopener">repair of his right flexor tendon</a>, the team announced Friday (h/t Chandler Rome of The Athletic). This is Garcia’s second UCL reconstruction in three years, keeping him in the doghouse of elbow injuries that have kept him off the field.</p><p>The 28-year-old first underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023 after appearing in just six starts that season. After the surgery, he was caught in a cycle of recurring problems that prevented him from pitching in 2024 and much of 2025. He finally returned to the Astros’ rotation on September 1, 2025, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-luis-garcia-to-return-over-2-years-angels-clash">making a six-inning start against the Los Angeles Angels</a>, allowing three runs and three hits.</p><p>On September 9, in his second start against the Toronto Blue Jays, Garcia left in the second inning with right elbow discomfort, leading the team to put him on the 15-day IL and later transfer him to the 60-day IL. Houston had already indicated that Garcia would miss the 2026 season.</p><p>Garcia’s MLB career began as an international free agent from Venezuela, making a meteoric rise from High-A Fayetteville to the majors during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He wasted no time showing he could shoulder the bulk of the rotation, appearing in 58 games (56 starts) across 2021-22, compiling a 26-16 record with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP over 312⅔ innings. Overall, he has pitched 359⅔ innings in the big leagues with a 3.60 ERA.</p><p>Financially, Garcia earned $1.875 million during his second arbitration season in 2025 and has one year of team control remaining. Given his projected absence in 2026, the Astros may choose to non-tender him this offseason, though a two-year deal is a potential option, allowing him to bank money while rehabbing. Garcia joins a growing list of Houston pitchers undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2025, including Hayden Wesneski (May 23), Ronel Blanco (June 6), and Brandon Walter (September 23).</p><p>Deprived of the 2026 season by injury, Garcia is staring down the barrel of uncertainty, potentially following Jose Urquidy’s blueprint, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024. The Astros outrighted Urquidy later that year, and he eventually signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers. Should Garcia return to full health by 2027, he will be coming off nearly four years of limited MLB action, and there’s no telling if he can still bring his A-game.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ Luis Garcia undergoes elbow surgery, expected to miss 2026 season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-joe-espada-defended-by-josh-reddick');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ex-player defends Astros manager Joe Espada after difficult season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Joe-Espada.jpg"><figcaption>Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Ex-player defends Astros manager Joe Espada after difficult season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-02T18:07:04-07:00">October 2nd, 6:07pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-02T18:07:04-07:00">October 2nd, 6:07pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros ended the 2025 season with a record of 87-75, missing the postseason for the first time since 2016. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/3-most-valuable-astros-in-2022-world-series-ranked">With the Astros accustomed to runs in October</a>, much of the spotlight quickly turned to manager Joe Espada and his future. But one respected former player stepped in to defend him.</p><p>In a post by the Crush City Territory podcast on X (formerly known as Twitter), 2017 World Series champion and former Astro Josh Reddick addressed the criticism of Espada. Speaking from the perspective of a former Astros outfielder, Reddick said the team’s <a href="https://x.com/Crush_City_Pod/status/1973545971553542436" rel="noopener">late collapse wasn’t about</a> poor leadership.</p><p>“I don’t think this is a Joe Espada problem.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I don't think this is a Joe Espada problem."<a href="https://twitter.com/JRedDubDeuce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JRedDubDeuce</a> praises the job Joe Espada did with the team in 2025 despite missing the playoffs. <a href="https://t.co/xDvak2jByb">pic.twitter.com/xDvak2jByb</a></p><p>— Crush City Territory (@Crush_City_Pod) <a href="https://twitter.com/Crush_City_Pod/status/1973545971553542436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The 13-year-veteran offered his support after the club stumbled in the second half of 2025, going 37–41 since July 1 despite leading the AL West at midseason. Injuries to stars like Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena, and Lance McCullers, Jr. played a massive role, leaving Espada with a depleted roster. Reddick emphasized that the manager kept the team steady even while missing multiple key pieces.</p><p> </p><p>Reddick also praised Espada’s adaptability, comparing his season to “playing Uno, not poker, with what he’s got.” That perspective echoed what many of the Houston faithful have noted— the second-year manager’s familiarity with the organization, having been on the staff since 2018, has made him a trusted figure during turbulent times.</p><p>The fan response to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-josh-reddicks-strong-message-about-josh-altuves-involvement-in-sign-stealing-scandal">Reddick’s defense</a> has been mixed. Some agreed, pointing to the franchise-leading total of injury-related WAR lost as evidence Espada deserves patience. Others argued that standards in Houston demand accountability, no matter the circumstances.</p><p>Still, Reddick’s words carry weight. During his four seasons with the organization, he was known as a respected clubhouse voice and a central part of the 2017 championship run. His perspective underscores a larger question in MLB. Should managers be judged on results alone, or the context surrounding them?</p><p>For the Astros, the answer to that question will be revealed during the upcoming offseason. With one year left on his deal, and with owner Jim Crane’s track record of abrupt decisions, Espada’s job security is not guaranteed. But Reddick’s defense suggests continuity, not change, could be what the team needs to rebound in the 2026 season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ex-player defends Astros manager Joe Espada after difficult season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-dana-brown-contract-uncertainty');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros GM Dana Brown skirts questions about uncertain contract situation');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dana-Brown-Astros-Braves-Astros-general-manager-Dana-Brown-Astros.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros GM Dana Brown skirts questions about uncertain contract situation</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-30T18:26:37-07:00">September 30th, 6:26pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-30T18:26:37-07:00">September 30th, 6:26pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros are entering an offseason filled with uncertainty after missing the 2025 MLB playoffs for the first time since 2016. At the center of it all is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-dana-brown-breaks-silence-on-future-after-disappointing-season">general manager Dana Brown</a>, whose future remains unclear following a vague response to questions about his contract status.</p><p>In a story by The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, he cited a USA Today report noting that Brown’s deal includes a 2026 club option that has not been picked up. When <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6677287/2025/09/30/astros-end-of-season-dana-brown-injuries/?source=emp_shared_article" rel="noopener">asked about it</a> at the team’s season-ending press conference on Tuesday, the Astros GM deflected.</p><p>“I don’t want to talk about my contract right now.”</p><p>The Astros GM followed up with a firm statement.</p><p>“But I will tell you that I am the GM of the Astros.”</p><p>When asked whether he had received any assurances regarding his status, he simply repeated the same message.</p><p>“As I said, I’m the GM of the Astros and that’s what I would expect to be tomorrow and the next day and the next day.”</p><p>The noncommittal tone has fueled speculation about the front office’s future. Jim Crane, known for abrupt leadership decisions, notably parted ways with former GM James Click in 2022 under similar circumstances. Click declined a one-year offer after winning the World Series and was let go shortly after. Crane briefly operated as acting GM, making several roster moves later inherited by Brown.</p><p>The offseason arrives after a frustrating season for the team. Injuries, offensive inconsistencies, and roster issues derailed a once-promising campaign for Houston. Despite leading the division in July, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-biggest-disappointment-after-missing-mlb-playoffs">the Astros finished 87-75 and missed the postseason</a> after the Detroit Tigers held the tiebreaker advantage and claimed the final postseason spot over Houston.</p><p>The Astros’ upcoming offseason will be shaped by several key questions — whether Brown will return, whether Crane plans to overhaul the front office, and how the team will address its coaching, health, and approach at the plate going forward.</p><p>Brown insists he remains focused on the job. But after a season that fell short of expectations—and with Crane’s track record of swift change—his status remains one of the biggest storylines in Houston this October.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros GM Dana Brown skirts questions about uncertain contract situation

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-biggest-disappointment-after-missing-mlb-playoffs');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ biggest disappointment after missing MLB playoffs');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Houston-Astros-designated-hitter-Yordan-Alvarez-3.jpg"><figcaption>Jerome Miron-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ biggest disappointment after missing MLB playoffs</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-30T14:24:31-07:00">September 30th, 2:24pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-30T15:57:03-07:00">September 30th, 3:57pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>For the first time in almost a decade, the Houston Astros are not in the American League playoff picture. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-joe-espada-lean-on-carlos-correa-clubhouse-leader">Astros manager Joe Espada wants stars like Carlos Correa to have a hand</a> in the team’s offseason moves. However, those conversations will happen far sooner than the franchise wanted them to. Yordan Alvarez, Josh Hader, and Jose Altuve all played a role in the team’s struggles.</p><p>For most teams in Major League Baseball, an 87-75 record is nothing to complain about. However, Houston’s run of dominance has lasted for years and raised the team’s standards for what qualifies as a success. The Astros underperformed their potential this season and still barely missed the postseason. If not for a tiebreaker held by the Detroit Tigers, they would have been in.</p><p>Houston’s 2025 season was far more dramatic than the team is used to. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-carlos-correa-mlb-history-trade-back-houston">The Astros reunited with a former World Series champion when they traded for Correa at the trade deadline</a>. A few weeks later, starting pitcher Framber Valdez intentionally crossed up his own catcher, leading to questions about his commitment to the team. Despite the distractions, Espada’s effort never wavered.</p><p>Injuries played a big role in why Houston was far from the dominance it has built its reputation on. If they had been healthy, there is no telling just how good the Astros could have been. Unfortunately, Espada had to deal with constant changes around his roster as he tried to string wins together. The result is what you could expect, inconsistency in the field and at the plate.</p><p>Houston has some big decisions to make with its free agents this winter. However, the Astros cannot help but think about everything that went wrong. Here are the main culprits behind Houston’s struggles down the stretch of the regular season.</p><h2>Injuries to Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes crippled the Astros’ offense</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Houston-Astros-third-baseman-Isaac-Paredes.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-chicago-land-kyle-tucker-massive-astros-trade">Isaac Paredes was part of the deal that sent Kyle Tucker from Houston to the Chicago Cubs</a> this offseason. When healthy, the veteran was one of the best offensive infielders the league had to offer this season. Unfortunately, he appeared in just 102 games for the Astros in 2025. Espada had a huge hole at third base that handicapped the Astros’ offense for the majority of the season.</p><p>While being without Paredes was inconvenient, not having Alvarez proved fatal. The veteran DH is one of the best pure hitters in the league. He has built a career on all-around hitting that rivals players like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani when he is on his game. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-yordan-alvarez-significant-ankle-update">Alvarez suffered multiple injuries</a> over the course of the year that prevented him from getting into a rhythm.</p><p>Without two of their offensive leaders, Espada had to get creative with his offense. Luckily for him, Jeremy Peña emerged as the Astros’ next blossoming star. He also struggled to stay on the field in the heart of the season, leaving Houston in a rough spot as they fought for the top spot in the American League West. In the end, the Astros fell short of a postseason berth.</p><h2>Astros’ offense could not keep up with other teams on the scoreboard</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Houston-Astros-designated-hitter-Jose-Altuve.jpg"><figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-gm-dana-brown-talks-jose-altuve-left-field-transition">Altuve started the season in left field</a> defensively because of injuries and a lack of depth. He stumbled out of the gate and never got back on track. For a player used to leading Houston’s offense alongside Alvarez and other stars, 2025 is a season to forget. His offense is a good example of everything that has gone wrong with the Astros. When he has issues, Houston’s offense is doomed.</p><p>As a team, the Astros’ offensive stats have them right in the middle of the league. However, they were a bottom 10 team in total runs with just <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/team/_/view/batting/table/batting/sort/runs/dir/desc" rel="noopener">686 across 162 games</a>; 4.2 runs per game is not enough for a team to contend with the league’s best teams. While some of the shortcomings are because of injuries, the entire team has to accept the fact that they were simply not good enough.</p><p>Correa told fans to keep their faith in his team after a rough season. While better health could vault the team to the top of the league standings in 2026, there are not a lot of reasons to be optimistic. Despite that, Houston believes that it is still close to where it needs to be. If things break right, a deep playoff run is absolutely on the table for a veteran-laden roster.</p><h2>Espada’s bullpen let him down at the worst time</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Josh-Hader-of-the-Houston-Astros.jpg"><figcaption>Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>As a team, the Astros’ pitching staff was not terrible considering the injuries that held the starting rotation back. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-josh-hader-injury-update-2">Hader’s injury marked a significant dropoff</a> for Houston’s morale and effectiveness on the mound in late-inning situations. He was one of the most dominant closers in MLB before he went out. After he left, though, things quickly fell apart for Espada.</p><p>Hader planned to come back during his team’s playoff run. However, the Astros fell short of making it in largely because they could not get out of tight games with enough wins. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-dana-brown-breaks-silence-on-future-after-disappointing-season">Houston’s general manager, Dana Brown, has not spoken much about the team’s future</a>. However, one thing on his list should be bullpen upgrades to help Hader when he returns next season.</p><p>Every season, there is usually one or two MLB teams that underperform expectations. However, the 2025 Astros are a team that had everything they needed. Despite the talent on the roster, things out of the franchise’s control derailed the season. Espada did everything he could to get into the postseason, but injuries and a lackluster offense leaves him on the outside looking in.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ biggest disappointment after missing MLB playoffs

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-joe-espada-lean-on-carlos-correa-clubhouse-leader');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ Joe Espada to lean on Carlos Correa as ‘clubhouse leader’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Houston-Astros-third-baseman-Carlos-Correa-4.jpg"><figcaption>Jerome Miron-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ Joe Espada to lean on Carlos Correa as ‘clubhouse leader’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-30T12:28:53-07:00">September 30th, 12:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-30T12:28:53-07:00">September 30th, 12:28pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros’ 2025 season ended sooner than the team expected. Despite making a push for a playoff berth in the final stretch of the season, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-dana-brown-breaks-silence-on-future-after-disappointing-season">Joe Espada and his team finished just shy of the postseason</a>. Now comes an important offseason for a team in flux. While there are some big decisions facing the team, veterans like Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve will have some input.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/carlos-correa-trade-grades-astros-twins">Correa re-joined Houston in one of Major League Baseball’s biggest 2025 trade deadline deals</a>. He filled a void in the infield left by Isaac Paredes, giving Espada’s lineup a significant boost. However, it was too little too late for a team that missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. With time to deliberate their options, Espada and the front office have big decisions looming.</p><p>Espada spoke with The Athletic’s Chandler Rome about wait awaits his team. The manager and Dana Brown, the Astros’ general manager, want to make sure that Correa and the rest of the team’s leaders <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6677287/2025/09/30/astros-end-of-season-dana-brown-injuries/?source=emp_shared_article" rel="noopener">have their voices heard</a> this winter, especially their new acquisition.</p><p>“He will be very much involved in my discussions of things we’re going to address in spring training,” Espada said. “I, personally, like to empower some of our leaders to have a say in how we’re going to address aspects of our game we need to address.”</p><p>Altuve and Correa are back together and have lead Houston’s clubhouse in the second half of the regular season. One win against the Detroit Tigers earlier this season would have made the difference in how their season finished. However, the Astros cannot depend on having the same roster back for the 2026 season.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-rumors-houston-probably-wont-re-sign-framber-valdez-writer-says">Framber Valdez is unlikely to stay in Houston this offseason</a>. Without him, the Astros’ pitching could take a large step back. Regardless of who stays and goes this winter, Correa, Altuve, and other team leaders will have a part to play in those conversations.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ Joe Espada to lean on Carlos Correa as ‘clubhouse leader’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-dana-brown-breaks-silence-on-future-after-disappointing-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ Dana Brown breaks silence on future after disappointing season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Astros-GM-Dana-Brown-and-manager-Joe-Espada.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ Dana Brown breaks silence on future after disappointing season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-30T12:09:52-07:00">September 30th, 12:09pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-30T12:10:23-07:00">September 30th, 12:10pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>For eight consecutive seasons, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-playoff-streak-ends-after-unreal-ending-guardians-rangers">Houston Astros made the postseason.</a> During that time frame, they won the 2017 and 2021 World Series, plus two more AL Pennants in 2019 and 2022. However, for the first time since 2016, the Astros missed the playoffs. Now the team needs to find a way back in 2026. While many players and manager Joe Espada are disappointed in Houston’s extended time off this winter, GM Dana Brown discussed his future a bit with Astros beat writer Chandler Rome. Brown expects to be <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1973056005241000329" rel="noopener">the team’s GM moving forward,</a> as Rome shared via X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>“Astros GM Dana Brown declined to discuss his contract, but said, ‘I will tell you, I’m the GM of the Astros and that’s what I would expect to be,'” reported Rome on Tuesday. “Asked if he has been given assurances that will be the case going forward, Brown repeated some version of that answer.”</p><p>Even though the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-carlos-correa-makes-promise-to-fans-for-2026-season-after-missing-playoffs">Astros won’t play in October,</a> this season was still a strong one. A surging Seattle Mariners rode a post-trade deadline hot streak to take the AL West from Houston. Meanwhile, an inconsistent form of play over the last few weeks led the Astros to missing out on an AL Wild Card spot. Now, the big question will be this: will Houston owner Jim Crane, who has been known to make some snap decisions in the past, decide to let Brown and/or Espada go? Or will he trust the duo to guide his team back to the postseason in 2026?</p><h2><b>Will Astros owner Jim Crane clean house or stay the course?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Astros-owner-Jim-Crane.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Despite the disappointing outcome, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-why-christian-walker-proud-houston-playoff-streak-ending">the Astros are well-positioned</a> to return to the playoffs in 2026. Only starting pitcher Framber Valdez projects to be the only major piece hitting free agency. Depth pieces like catcher Victor Caratini and second baseman Brendan Rodgers are also scheduled to hit the open market, in addition to veteran reliever Hector Neris.</p><p>So, the core of the 2025 team that led the AL West for the majority of the season will be back. Veterans Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve will once again return in 2026. So will star designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, ace Hunter Brown, and closer Josh Hader. The roster that Brown has assembled for Espada is a deep one. Will the GM and manager be able to enjoy the fruits of that labor next season, or<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/mlb-rumors-how-astros-owner-jim-crane-convinced-twins-to-trade-carlos-correa"> will Crane decide to go</a> in a new direction?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ Dana Brown breaks silence on future after disappointing season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-carlos-correa-makes-promise-to-fans-for-2026-season-after-missing-playoffs');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ Carlos Correa makes promise to fans for 2026 season after missing playoffs');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Astros-SS-3B-Carlos-Correa.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ Carlos Correa makes promise to fans for 2026 season after missing playoffs</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-28T13:05:26-07:00">September 28th, 1:05pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-28T13:05:26-07:00">September 28th, 1:05pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>For the first time since 2016, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-playoff-streak-ends-after-unreal-ending-guardians-rangers">Houston Astros will not participate</a> in the MLB playoffs. The Astros were eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday despite a 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Now, Houston will look to finish off the 2025 season with a win on Sunday against the Angels. Astros infielder Carlos Correa, brought back to the team at the trade deadline, spoke to the Athletic’s Chandler Rome about the team’s <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6669729/2025/09/28/astros-playoff-streak-over/?source=emp_shared_article" rel="noopener">disappointment over missing the postseason.</a></p><p>“They’re used to watching playoff baseball and they look forward to that every single year,” Correa said to Rome Sunday. “We were not able to accomplish that this year, but we promise our fans in Houston this offseason is going to be one of a lot of hard work. We’re all going to get better. Next year will be one to remember.”</p><p>For the past eight seasons, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-why-christian-walker-proud-houston-playoff-streak-ending">Astros have been a postseason fixture.</a> They captured World Series titles in 2017 and 2022. Houston also captured four AL Pennants during those eight years, making it to the Fall Classic in 2019 and 2021. Now, the Astros must reboot and focus on getting back to the playoffs, like Correa has promised. Will this winter bring a host of changes to Daikin Park?</p><h2><b>Can the Astros make it back to the postseason in 2026?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Astros-manager-Joe-Espada_75097f.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Correa wasn’t the only Astros veteran disappointed that the team didn’t return to the playoffs for a ninth straight season. First baseman Christian Walker, second baseman Jose Altuve, and manager Joe Espada all spoke to Rome as well about the team’s failure to meet expectations. Heading into the winter, Houston owner Jim Crane might decide to make wholesale changes. That includes <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-joe-espada-blunt-assessment-blue-jays-collapse">evaluating the status of Espada</a> and GM Dana Brown.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-dana-brown-reveals-long-shot-isaac-paredes-injury-return">Brown made a few moves</a> at the deadline to address numerous holes that the Astros had. That included bringing back Correa after the infielder spent the last three and a half seasons with the Minnesota Twins. However, Correa and the other pickups were not enough, and Houston faded down the stretch while the Seattle Mariners surged past them in the standings. Now, the Astros will need to figure out how to get back to the playoffs in 2026. Will Brown and Espada lead them back there, or will Crane elect to replace them within the next few months?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ Carlos Correa makes promise to fans for 2026 season after missing playoffs

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-why-christian-walker-proud-houston-playoff-streak-ending');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Christian Walker is still ‘proud’ despite Astros’ playoff streak ending');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Christian-Walker.jpg"><figcaption> Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Why Christian Walker is still ‘proud’ despite Astros’ playoff streak ending</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-28T12:23:31-07:00">September 28th, 12:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-28T12:23:31-07:00">September 28th, 12:23pm</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut-based sports journalist with over five years of professional experience. After graduating from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism, he has covered every sport from fencing to football in the online and print medium. Dan hopes to see his beloved Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>For the first time since 2016, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-playoff-streak-ends-after-unreal-ending-guardians-rangers">Houston Astros won’t be competing in the postseason</a>. But first baseman Christian Walker is opting to look at the situation with a glass half full mentality.</p><p>Houston has been contenders for almost a decade now. For all the flash the Seattle Mariners brought in 2025, the Astros’ recent history at least had fans expecting they’d make the playoffs too. For Walker, that’s a good place to be in.</p><p>Of course, he is upset that the Astros won’t be in the playoffs. But the pain Houston is collectively feeling right now <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6669729/2025/09/28/astros-playoff-streak-over/?source=emp_shared_article" rel="noopener">shows that the franchise is serious about winning consistently</a>, via Chandler Rome of The Athletic.</p><p>“Finding a way to accept that we didn’t make it to the postseason this year is something new for this culture, and it makes me proud to be a part of it, that we are so upset,” Walker said. “I think a lot of teams don’t truly expect to make it. I think it makes me happy and proud and excited to be a part of a group of people that are truly disappointed we didn’t make the postseason.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/mlb-rumors-what-astros-christian-walker-signing-means-for-potential-alex-bregman-reunion">Walker was in his first year with the Astros</a> after signing a three-year, $60 million contract with the franchise. Over his first 154 games with the club, the first baseman hit .238 with 27 home runs and 88 RBI. He led Houston in both home runs and RBI, proving to be a significant source of the team’s run production.</p><p>Still, the Astros will need to find a way to hit another gear come 2026. Even after missing the playoffs, there will be high expectations of the franchise returning to prominence. As he prepares for the offseason, Walker is determined to get Houston back to their usual heights.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Christian Walker is still ‘proud’ despite Astros’ playoff streak ending

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/mlb-rumors-could-a-j-hinch-astros-reunite-tigers-contract-extension-attempt');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Could A.J. Hinch, Astros reunite despite Tigers’ contract extension attempts?');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Detroit-Tigers-manager-A.J.-Hinch-on-February-14-2024-at-the-spring-training-facility-in-Lakeland-Florida.jpg"><figcaption>© Evan Petzold / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Could A.J. Hinch, Astros reunite despite Tigers’ contract extension attempts?</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-28T09:32:04-07:00">September 28th, 9:32am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-28T09:32:04-07:00">September 28th, 9:32am</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/colinloughran">Colin Loughran</a>Colin Loughran is a NYC-based Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He has spent several years covering sports and has worked for outlets such as the New York Post, AP Radio, and FanSided. Colin is also a three-time NYSBA award winner and a proud graduate of Fordham University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Detroit Tigers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The 2025 <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-playoff-streak-ends-after-unreal-ending-guardians-rangers">Houston Astros failed to make the playoffs</a> for the first time since 2016. After an unprecedented run of success and a campaign they would likely prefer to forget, Houston could look to reunite with a familiar face.</p><p>USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently suggested that the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2025/09/28/mlb-awards-2025-aaron-judge-cal-raleigh-mvp-prediction-odds/86398917007/" rel="noopener">club could check in</a> with former manager A.J. “Hinch and seek a reunion in the event that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/detroit-tigers/tigers-news-a-j-hinch-drops-focus-take-amid-15-5-game-al-central-collapse">the Detroit Tigers</a> do not finalize a contract extension with the skipper.</p><p>“The Tigers plan to give manager A.J. Hinch a contract extension. The deal was close to being finalized a few weeks ago, but with the Tigers’ collapse, the timing simply wasn’t right,” Nightingale wrote.</p><p>“The deal should be consummated after the postseason, but in the meantime, if the Astros indeed are looking for a manager, they could touch base for a possible reunion.”</p><p>The Astros could look to part ways with both manager Joe Espada and general manager Dana Brown. Of the two, Espada’s job might be in greater jeopardy.</p><p>“One Astros executive, when asked by USA TODAY Sports whether they could be dismissed – with Brown having a club option that has yet to be picked up – simply said that all departments, on the baseball and business side, are currently being evaluated,” Nightingale wrote.</p><p>“Espada’s job security would seem more tenuous than Brown’s.”</p><p>Hinch managed the Astros from 2015 to 2019. During his time in Houston, he led the team to a 481-329 record as well as two American League crowns and one World Series title. He was dismissed by the Astros in 2020 due to the the sign-stealing scandal that has caused many fans and pundits to view the Astros’ success through a different lens.</p><p>It remains to be seen whether or not the Astros will choose to make drastic structural changes, but it is possible that Hinch could return to the Space City.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Could A.J. Hinch, Astros reunite despite Tigers’ contract extension attempts?

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-playoff-streak-ends-after-unreal-ending-guardians-rangers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ playoff streak ends after unreal ending to Guardians-Rangers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Bryan-King.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ playoff streak ends after unreal ending to Guardians-Rangers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-27T21:27:12-07:00">September 27th, 9:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-27T21:27:12-07:00">September 27th, 9:27pm</time><address><a>Richard Pereira</a>Richard Pereira joined ClutchPoints in January 2025 as an Associate Editor. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school's athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men's basketball team's journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-blasts-two-hrs-vs-astros">Houston Astros received some heartbreaking playoff news</a> during Saturday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Angels.</p><p>Houston was in the playoff mix within the American League bracket. They were competing with the likes of the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers for the remaining spots.</p><p>However, their <a href="https://x.com/BNightengale/status/1972119742506045509" rel="noopener">chances came to an end</a> after the Guardians beat the Texas Rangers 3-2 in their matchup. As a result, it ended Houston’s 10-year streak of taking part in the playoffs, per MLB insider Bob Nightengale.</p><p>“The Houston Astros, for the first time in 10 years, are staying home in October,” Nightengale wrote.</p><h2><b>What lies ahead for Astros after playoff berth</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Zach-Cole.jpg"><figcaption>Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It’s brutal news for the Astros to get about their playoff chances, even after beating the Angels 6-1 in Game 2. They kept themselves in the hunt but will no longer present following the Guardians’ win over the Rangers.</p><p>Houston took care of business against Los Angeles on the road. They took a 5-0 lead after four innings and never looked back. The offense came through when it needed to, seeing four home runs from Christian Walker twice, Zach Cole and Jesus Sanchez.</p><p>The Astros’ bullpen was highly efficient throughout the night. They held the Angels’ offense to just three hits after 29 at-bats, only conceding an RBI double in the sixth inning. AJ Blubaugh started on the mound as he lasted four innings, striking out two batters while allowing one hit. Meanwhile, J.P. France earned his first win of the year after striking out five batters after three innings.</p><p>Houston improved to an 86-75 record on the season, holding the second spot in the AL West Division standings. They are 4.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the top spot, who already clinched their berth after winning the division.</p><p>With their playoff hopes over, the Astros will prepare for their season finale against the Angels. The contest will take place on Sept. 28 at 3:07 p.m. ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ playoff streak ends after unreal ending to Guardians-Rangers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-blasts-two-hrs-vs-astros');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels star Mike Trout blast a pair of HRs vs. Astros');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Angels-news-Mike-Trout-blast-a-pair-of-HRs-vs.-Astros.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels star Mike Trout blast a pair of HRs vs. Astros</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-27T06:13:58-07:00">September 27th, 6:13am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-27T06:13:58-07:00">September 27th, 6:13am</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In a game that meant everything for the Houston Astros and little on paper for the Los Angeles Angels, the Halos flipped the script—and possibly the AL playoff race. Fueled by two clutch <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-pens-social-media-message-after-hitting-400th-home-run">home runs from Mike Trout</a>, they beat the Astros 4-3 at Angel Stadium to open a three-game set Friday night.</p><p>With playoff implications on the line, the final regular season series between the two AL West teams carried extra weight. Trout rose to the moment with one of his most memorable performances of the year. Down 3-0 in the fourth inning, he crushed a solo shot to left-center off Houston starter Jason Alexander, cutting into the deficit and igniting the Angel Stadium crowd.</p><p>The MLB took to its official X (formerly known as Twitter), <a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1971767359594705228" rel="noopener">showcasing the moment</a> home run No. 402 left Trout’s bat.</p><p>“Mike Trout hits career home run No. 402”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mike Trout hits career home run No. 402 🎣 <a href="https://t.co/cLofOecWkW">pic.twitter.com/cLofOecWkW</a></p><p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1971767359594705228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Trout’s solo shot not only sparked the comeback but also moved the Angels legend into second on the franchise’s all-time RBI list. Rookie second baseman Christian Moore and shortstop Denzer Guzman followed with back-to-back doubles in the fifth to trim the deficit to 3-2. Chris Taylor later tied it with an RBI single in the seventh.</p><p>But Trout wasn’t finished. Leading off the bottom of the eighth with the game tied, he sent another ball over the right-center field wall.</p><p>The MLB took to the platform once again, as the 3-time MVP <a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1971787954730529275">hit another</a> solo shot in the bottom of the eighth inning, proving to be decisive in the result of the game and potentially the Astros entire 2025 season.</p><p>“Mike Trout launches his SECOND HR of the night!”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mike Trout launches his SECOND HR of the night! <a href="https://t.co/ih5LeyeCp7">pic.twitter.com/ih5LeyeCp7</a></p><p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1971787954730529275?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The win was meaningless in the standings for the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-unfortunate-offensive-stat-surfaces-as-playoff-drought-continues">72-88 Angels</a>—but devastating for the Astros playoff hopes. At 85-75, the Astros trail both the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians in the AL Wild Card race and hold no tiebreakers over either team.</p><p>With one more loss or a win by the Tigers or Guardians, Houston will be eliminated. And if that happens, Trout’s bat may have been the one to shut the door.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels star Mike Trout blast a pair of HRs vs. Astros

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/3-astros-who-will-make-or-break-world-series-chances');   ga('set', 'title', '3 Astros who will make or break World Series chances');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Houston-Astros-third-baseman-Carlos-Correa-3.jpg"><figcaption>Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>3 Astros who will make or break World Series chances</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-26T18:39:20-07:00">September 26th, 6:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-26T18:39:20-07:00">September 26th, 6:39pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros kick off the final series of their regular season on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-hunter-brown-joe-espada-discuss-potential-season-finale-start">Astros manager Joe Espada is configuring his lineup for the final few games of the season</a> as his squad fights for a playoff spot. If they make it into the American League postseason field, players like Josh Hader, Carlos Correa, and Framber Valdez go from important to vital.</p><p>Houston has a history of being quietly dominant. The dynasty is the only one in the post-2000 era that has survived for more than five seasons. Espada is a part of the newer era of the Astros, and the pressure is on him to get the franchise back into the playoffs. He has three games to make up one in the standings to rob another contender of a postseason berth in the final weekend.</p><p>While Espada is one of the better managers in Major League Baseball, his work was cut out for him this season. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-yordan-alvarez-significant-ankle-update">Yordan Alvarez has missed a large chunk of the Astros’ season with a variety of injuries</a>. His inconsistent availability made it difficult for the manager to get his team into a groove, especially on offense. Luckily for him, his team has plenty of firepower.</p><p>If Houston falters in the final part of the regular season, the year will be scrutinized. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-gm-dana-brown-talks-jose-altuve-left-field-transition">The Astros had to start Jose Altuve in left field because of injuries</a>. Espada has had just half of his starting rotation available for months because of injuries. There is a long list of things that have gone wrong in 2025. Despite all of that, Houston is not a team that experts are ready to count out.</p><p>The Astros have championship experience across the roster. Here are the three players that will decide Houston’s postseason fate.</p><h2>Starting pitcher Framber Valdez</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Framber-Valdez-1.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><p>While there are superstars putting the final touches on dominant seasons, Valdez may be the most fascinating player in the league right now. The veteran pitcher is one of the best arms in MLB. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/mlb-rumors-framber-valdez-cross-up-free-agency-payday">he made headlines in Houston and around the league when he intentionally crossed up his catcher</a>. That incident put him behind the 8-ball as he tries to lead the team’s rotation.</p><p>If Brown plays in the Astros’ regular season finale, Valdez will start in Game 1 of their playoff run. He is a worthy candidate for that responsibility, and would have a chance to get Houston off to a good start in the postseason. Valdez is a free agent that the Astros likely won’t re-sign this winter, putting even more pressure on him to deliver in the playoffs to boost his value.</p><p>Valdez has an average playoff resume, totaling 17 appearances across five seasons. The veteran is <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/36581/framber-valdez" rel="noopener">7-6 with a 4.34 ERA</a> in playoff games. If he is at his best, he might be the best pitcher in the playoff field. Espada needs him and Brown to play at an All-Star level to make a deep run. It all starts with Valdez putting his drama behind him and shutting opposing offenses down.</p><h2>Third baseman Carlos Correa</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Carlos-Correa-cover-2.jpg"></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-carlos-correa-twins-blockbuster-trade">The Astros surprised MLB when they decided to re-acquire Correa at the trade deadline</a>. Houston reunited with the former All-Star in a move that shot them up the list of AL contenders. Since arriving back where his career began, the infielder has produced, revitalizing the Astros’ offense. It has been a while, but Correa is fully capable of being a playoff team’s offensive engine.</p><p>Houston’s last championship was built on the quartet of Correa, Altuve, Kyle Tucker, and Yordan Alvarez. Alex Bregman chipped in some big hits as well, but the core stars led the team. Heading into the 2025 postseason, the Astros find themselves leaning on a few of the same players a handful of years later. Luckily for the team, none of them have experienced a drop-off at the plate.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-astros-carlos-correa-position-change-revelation-twins-trade">Correa embraced playing third base to make room for Jeremy Peña’s return</a>. The veteran infielder has his sights set on winning another title. Espada needs him to step up like he used to and provide a spark to an offense that could be without Alvarez in the Wild Card round. Houston’s slugger is still dealing with an ankle injury, putting more responsibility on Correa’s plate this fall.</p><h2>Relief pitcher Josh Hader</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Josh-Hader.jpg"><figcaption>Thomas Shea-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><p>When the Astros brought Hader in, they knew they were getting one of the league’s best closers in his prime. For a while, the veteran reliever proved the front office right, helping the team win games and remain dominant out of the bullpen. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-josh-hader-injury-update-2">injuries have brought his effectiveness into question as Houston</a> prepares to play a lot of potentially close playoff games.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-josh-hader-provides-update-injury-return-timeline">Hader is targeting a return sometime during the postseason</a>. Obviously, Espada and Co. would like to have him back in the mix as soon as possible. Brayan Abreu has done a good job filling in as the Astros’ closer, but he is not ready for the pressure of the playoffs. If Hader comes back close to full health, he could be the piece that unlocks the best version of Houston’s roster.</p><p>The Astros have built a dynasty on elite pitching staffs. However, Hader carries a lot of the bullpen’s talent by himself. If he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-nightmare-scenario-for-2025-mlb-playoffs">suffers a setback or is unavailable for Houston, things could get very bad for Espada</a>. However, the team is optimistic that he will be ready to go when needed. He, along with Correa and Valdez need to be at their best for the Astros to succeed this fall.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 Astros who will make or break World Series chances

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-hunter-brown-joe-espada-discuss-potential-season-finale-start');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ Hunter Brown, Joe Espada discuss potential season finale start');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Astros-SP-Hunter-Brown.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ Hunter Brown, Joe Espada discuss potential season finale start</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-26T18:19:53-07:00">September 26th, 6:19pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-26T18:19:53-07:00">September 26th, 6:19pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After leading the AL West for the majority of the season, the Houston <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jose-altuve-injury-update">Astros’ form in recent weeks</a> allowed the Seattle Mariners to surpass them and win the division. Now, the Astros are hunting down one of the AL’s Wild Card spots. However, the competition is stiff, as the AL East and Central haven’t been decided as of yet. With Houston looking to clinch one of these final spots, manager Joe Espada spoke to ace Hunter Brown about <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1971729271598338319" rel="noopener">a potential season finale start,</a> according to beat reporter Chandler Rome via X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>“Joe Espada said today he has had conversations with Hunter Brown about his potential availability this weekend,” Rome reported on Friday evening. “Brown would be on three days’ rest for Sunday’s season finale.”</p><p>The Astros begin a regular-season-ending three-game set on the road against the Los Angeles Angels. The Mariners swept Houston in their final home series of the season. Then, the Athletics took two out of three from the Astros over the past few days. Now, the focus is on building off of Thursday night’s 11-5 win over the A’s with a season finale series win. Will <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houstons-historic-drought-ruins-hunter-brown-matching-tarik-skubal">Brown not only make a start</a> on Sunday, but also help Houston clinch a postseason spot on Sunday?</p><h2><b>Will Astros clinch AL Wild Card spot this weekend?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Astros-manager-Joe-Espada-1.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>If the Astros don’t make the postseason, then some major changes may happen this winter. Owner Jim Crane could decide to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-joe-espada-blunt-assessment-blue-jays-collapse">not only fire Espada,</a> but potentially other leaders of the team’s brass as well. While the Mariners have played excellent baseball over the last few weeks, Houston usually doesn’t relinquish a lead. If they don’t make the playoffs, then questions will need to be asked.</p><p>However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-hunter-brown-reveals-key-to-sudden-turnaround-amid-hot-start-to-2025-campaign">Brown has taken another step forward</a> this season. The right-hander’s WAR went up from 2.6 in 2024 to 6.1 this year. He’s 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA, including 206 strikeouts in 185 innings. He’s the definition of a throwback ace built for October. Will Brown get the chance to try and help the Astros win another World Series? Or will his season end in Sunday’s finale with the rest of his teammates?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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