The Houston Astros are a modern dynasty, having won two World Series since 2017 and lost another to the Washington Nationals. The Astros should still be competitive for years to come, but one has to wonder just how open their championship window is.
Houston managed to win the AL West thanks to a late-season Seattle Mariners win over the Texas Rangers. Just a week prior, Houston was fighting for their postseason lives. Dusty Baker has long had faith in this group. They've been there and done that before.
With the ALDS upon us, it's fair to wonder exactly what this group will look like next season, and who may be playing their final season with the Astros.
Dusty Baker may not be back with the Astros next season
Jim Crane hired Baker in 2020 after forcing A.J. Hinch and Jeff Luhnow out of office thanks to the sign-stealing scandal. Baker gave the Astros a fresh outlook and face of the organization. It was needed, frankly, given all Luhnow and some Astros player did to tarnish the team's reputation.
Dana Brown has earned the right to hire his own manager if he sees fit. Brown disagreed publicly this season with Baker's choice not to play catcher Yainer Diaz more, with the veteran manager sticking with Martin Maldonado. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal suggested Houston could already have a replacement in mind should Baker step down:
"Brown, who previously worked for the Braves, might want to hire one of Atlanta's coaches, Eric Young Sr. or Walt Weiss, as manager (Brown and Young were teammates at New Brunswick High in New Jersey). Astros bench coach Joe Espada would be the leading internal candidate, but he has interviewed for at least seven managerial jobs and Crane might prefer a bigger name."
If Houston loses early, specifically, Baker may be forced out.
If Dusty Baker goes, Martin Maldonado may be next for Astros
Dusty Baker (and A.J. Hinch before him) have stood by Martin Maldonado for years, praising his work with Houston's pitching staff. Maldonado leaves much to be desired with his bat, as he flirts with the Mendoza line far too often. The emergence of Yainer Diaz could lead to Maldonado's departure from Houston, finally, especially if Baker is no longer there to protect him.
When asked about Maldonado's future this season, Houston's leadership stepped in to back him up.
"I think there are a lot of intangibles that go into the catching position — and every position on a baseball roster — but in the catching discipline in particular that don't get measured," Astros pitching coach Josh Miller said. "It's not easy to put a metric on: How does he instill confidence? How does he let a pitcher relax so they can focus on executing a pitch, rather than thinking about what pitch they should be throwing? You know, those things don't get measured."
Baker even added that Maldonado was his "field general".
While that all sounds good, Maldonado will need to step up at the plate this postseason to prove he belongs.
Chas McCormick and Dusty Baker are flirting with disaster in Houston
The Astros outfield is complicated and for good reason -- they have plenty of key contributors, especially if you include Michael Brantley and Kyle Tucker. However, McCormick and Baker had a war of words to end the season regarding the former's playing time. Baker doesn't seem to respect the work McCormick has put in to hit both lefties and righties.
"He ain't a big boy yet," Baker said. "It's hard to be a big boy right out the gate. What is this, Chas' third or fourth year? The big boys are Altuve, Bregman, Tucker, those are the big boys. The other boys are approaching big boys."
Sure, McCormick isn't as proven as some of those players. But he also hasn't been around long enough to make that much of an impact. His stats speak for him.
"I've been with (Baker) for a couple years now so I know his agenda. I know that he likes to play everyone. Obviously I want to be out there every night. But he does a good job," McCormick said. "I think that's what he goes off, the best matchups and how he sets things up. I haven't really spoken to him. He's the manager. He does what he wants. I don't think I have any right to ask what his deal is. He's been in the league for a while and has a good plan."
Chas took the high road, which should be beneficial for his playing time. He's arbitration-eligible through 2026, so there's no pressure to trade him now. But if Baker and the Astros truly believe him to be a limited player at the plate, they should get a haul for him now while they have the chance.
The Astros cannot count on Michael Brantley
Michael Brantley made the All-Star team with the Astros back in 2021, but since then has struggled with injuries. He played in just 15 games this past season, and could be in his final postseason in Houston.
Baker is not sure that Brantley will even be available for the ALDS, which is notable given his previous playoff history. Were he completely healthy, Brantley would be a no-brainer to make the roster. As CBS notes, "Brantley was in and out of the lineup down the stretch for Houston while battling nagging soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder. He hit well when available in slashing .294/.302/.451 with two homers over 14 games. Brantley will be on the Astros' ALDS roster and the team hopes he'll be healthy enough to play every day, but it's not guaranteed."
If he doesn't play, consider it the final nail in his Houston career. Even if Brantley can suit up, there is no guarantee the Astros keep him around beyond October.