Houston Astros should pursue star hitter in free agency

It seems likely that the Houston Astros will make the MLB playoffs this year.

At one point the season looked like it would end in disappointment, but the team figured things out and got back on track.

Despite numerous injuries to key players, the Astros have handled adversity well. They once again appear to be a legitimate contender in the American League.

While the Red Sox have a chance to make a good playoff run this year, management will look to improve the team even more this offseason. They are expected to be a very busy team when free agency opens.

Justin Verlander and Alex Bregman are both set to become free agents. It seems likely that Houston will try to keep them in town, but that’s not a certainty. They both have good situations with the Astros, which gives Houston a good chance of re-signing them.

Even if they get both players back, the Astros would like to add more talent to their roster.

Enter soon-to-be New York Mets free agent first baseman Pete Alonso.

Houston has been cited as a potential suitor for Alonso this offseason, but they are taking it a step further and doing everything they can to try to sign him.

Throughout the 2024 season, the first base position has been a weakness for the Astros. Adding Alonso would help address that, while also giving the team a much more dangerous, versatile lineup.

With the Mets, Alonso played in 140 games, hitting 31 home runs and driving in 78 runs while batting .240/.323/.469.

Those are the kind of numbers that could take Houston’s offense to the next level.

Dana Brown needs to focus on scoring runs. Alonso could bring home run potential with every at-bat. He still represents a threat that opposing pitching staffs need to game plan around.

Alonso is the kind of player who could help the Astros make it to the World Series in the coming years. There are very few hitters in the league capable of being as lethal as his.

It won’t be cheap, so Houston will have to open their checkbook to get it. But they should do everything they can to make it happen.

The kind of impact Alonso could bring to the Astros at a position of major need is too interesting to ignore.