World Series 2022: Examining Likelihood of Astros Repeating in 2023
The Houston Astros have had some of the best staying power of any Major League Baseball team over the last few decades.
Houston's second World Series title in franchise history came in its fourth championship appearance since 2017.
The Astros are perfectly built for another push to the World Series in 2023, even if some of the most important pieces from the 2022 title run are not back.
Houston's player development and pitching depth were two of the main reasons why it has sustained success since the first World Series appearance of its current dominance.
For example, World Series Most Valuable Player Jeremy Peña seamlessly transitioned into the starting shortstop role that Carlos Correa occupied for so many years.
Peña was one of the most important contributors during Houston's championship run and he will be a core piece of the group for many years in the future.
Houston returns a majority of its top bats for 2023, but it will have some work to do to make the bottom of the order better.
Catchers Martín Maldonado, Christian Vázquez and Jason Castro are all scheduled to become free agents, as are first basemen Trey Mancini and Yuli Gurriel.
Yainer Diaz, one of Houston's top prospects, could fill one of those spots in the order, but Houston would still need to add depth at catcher and first base.
The Astros need more consistency at the plate from those two positions to be even better offensively when dealing with the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners and other contenders in the American League.
Gurriel has been one of the key parts of Houston's sustained success, but he is 38, and the Astros may be willing to move on from him, or relegate him to a smaller role.
Mancini did not make a good case for himself in the World Series, and he could hit the open market instead of returning to Houston. The Astros could lure another free agent to fill that role. They do not need a superstar at first base. They just need a quality hitter that can back up the likes of Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman in the middle of the order.
The other big lineup decision will come with Michael Brantley, who missed a good chunk of 2022 with a shoulder injury. Brantley, like Gurriel, has been a vital part of Houston's success, but it may be hard to justify bringing him back on a big deal at 35.
Houston's biggest offseason question comes from its pitching staff. Justin Verlander can opt out of his contract and become a free agent.
Verlander will likely win his third American League Cy Young Award, but he is 39 and the Astros have a plethora of young arms ready to take over spots in the starting rotation.
Houston could enter 2023 with a rotation of Framber Valdez, Lance McCullers Jr., Cristian Javier, Luis García and Hunter Brown. José Urquidy could also be utilized in the rotation.
One or more of those pitchers could be used as trade bait to bring in another bat, or permanently shifted to the bullpen if there is no room for them in the starting five.
With or without Verlander, the Astros are set to have one of the best pitching staffs in the majors. As we saw in the recently-concluded World Series, that could be the deciding factor in winning a championship.
The other decision that needs to be made is about Dusty Baker's future as manager. Baker is out of contract. That call may come down to Baker and whether he wants to retire after winning the World Series.
If Baker comes back, he will have a loaded team set up for yet another run to the World Series.
Houston will once again be in the championship mix and it will be difficult for any team to dethrone it at the top of the American League.
