Houston Astros probe free agent market for power hitter

The Houston Astros find themselves eyeing the free-agent market, searching for a power bat to boost their lineup for the 2025 season. First base has been a weak spot, and addressing that position could mean the difference between contending or watching from the sidelines. Pete Alonso, the New York Mets' heavy-hitting first baseman, sits at the top of the list for many teams, and Houston is no exception.

Alonso’s name has been swirling around the Astros’ orbit for months now. The front office took a long look at him during the trade deadline, but the Mets held on. It was a smart move on New York’s part. Alonso’s bat helped carry them to the National League Championship Series, and that kind of production doesn’t come easy.

Still, Alonso’s future in New York is uncertain. The Mets are expected to spend big this offseason, which could put the 29-year-old slugger in an awkward position. With so much money tied up elsewhere, there’s a chance they let him walk, and Houston is watching closely. For the Astros, Alonso would be a perfect fit, a powerful presence in the middle of the lineup and a solution to their first base woes. But like everything in baseball, there’s a price.

The Astros’ payroll is already up there. They came into 2024 with a hefty $236 million tab, after hovering around $184 million in recent years. Alonso won’t come cheap, and the question becomes whether Astros’ ownership is willing to stretch the budget even further. There’s also the matter of Alex Bregman, the Astros’ longtime third baseman, who’s set to become a free agent soon. Keeping both Alonso and Bregman seems like a pipe dream unless the team finds creative ways to manage the books.

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller put it bluntly: “They probably have room for one or the other.” The Astros need to decide which corner of the infield gets the upgrade. Bregman, despite a noticeable drop in his walk rate, is still a key piece of Houston’s roster. But Alonso’s ability to launch 40-plus home runs a season could tilt the scales in his favor, especially with first base being such a glaring need.

If the Astros pass on Alonso, they’ll need a plan B. The team can’t afford to keep trotting out Jon Singleton or other players who struggle to produce offensively. They’ve seen what happens when the lineup isn’t clicking, and the thought of another season with a hole at first base isn’t appealing. Alonso is the obvious solution, but the cost of securing him might force Houston to look elsewhere.

It’s a delicate balancing act for the Astros, as they navigate free agency while trying to maintain a championship-caliber roster. Whether or not they make a big splash this offseason remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: they can’t keep going with what they’ve got at first base.