All the latest news and rumors on your Houston Astros and from around MLB – it’s in here! Today’s offseason Crawfish Boil for December 18, 2025:
- MLB Insider Bob Nightengale joined Shaun Bijani and I on AREA 45 on Sportsradio 610 last night and discussed various Astros related topics:
Cliff Notes:
- Astros want to stay under tax
- Shopping in the bargain aisle for now
- their big move was essentially getting Correa at deadline last season
- Astros likely to move off one of Paredes/Walker to do anything of significance this offseason
- Astros will have highest payroll in AL West
- Verlander likely wants opportunity to at least make what he made last season ($15M)
- Crane still has terrific relationship with JV
- Can definitely see another Astros/JV reunion
- Bob believes Astros win division last year by at least 6 games with healthy Alvarez
- Astros still look like a strong roster
- Need another starter to replace Valdez
- Dylan Cease deal blew up the pitching market
- Framber/Imai haven’t signed yet because Cease set market so high
- Framber to Orioles or Mets makes most sense
- Framber track record much better than Cease
- Tucker’s injuries last 2 seasons have reduced his potential contract earnings
- Blue Jays make most sense for Tucker, Dodgers stalking horse
- Bellinger’s durability and versatility may make him more appealing to teams right now than Tucker
- Bregman’s market similar to last season
- Red Sox were surprised when Bregman opted out
- Could take a while for Bregman’s market to really develop
- Murakami’s agent keeping things quiet. No dog and pony shows.
- Murakami will get a deal, may be shorter term
- Murakami signing will help define Bregman’s market
- Craziest thing he has heard – Padres shopping Nick Pivetta and Mason Miller to get more young pitching.
- Jeff Passan of ESPN also has a heat check on the top of the free agent market and the trade market:
Passan identified the Astros as being in the mix for a top-tier starting
pitcher.
- The Yankees and Cubs both have eyes for Tatsuya Imai:
- Team USA will have the baddest 1-2 punch atop the rotation in the WBC:
- Team USA bullpen brings some heat too:
- The Athletic’s Will Sammon thinks Munetaka Murakami can be the next Kyle Schwarber:
- Ken Rosenthal isn’t buying the idea the Diamondbacks could potentially keep Ketel Marte and sign Alex Bregman:
Rosenthal also goes on to say that trading Marte is the most likely scenario as his 10/5 rights kick in on the 10th day of the season. Rosenthal furthers that the Rays were in on Jorge Polanco before he agreed to a 2-year, $40M deal with the Mets
On the Cardinals, Rosenthal posits that they are the most active seller in the market. He lists the Mariners as most likely destination from Brendan Donovan, the Dodgers being interested in Lars Nootbaar, and the Angels could be a trade partner for Nolan Arenado as they negotiate a buyout with Anthony Rendon.
- Is Bo Bichette willing to play 2B?
- Mark Feinsand of MLB.com addresses how Bichette’s market could change as a 2B:
- Former Yankees reliever Luke Weaver is heading across town:
- Tom Pohlad is ascending the top of the Pohlad family to run the Twins in the wake of the partial sale of the team to bring on minority owners:
- Former Cubs reliever Brad Keller is heading to Philadelphia on a 2-year, $22M deal:
- Former Astros catcher Martin Maldonado has a new job:
- The Royals are still looking to upgrade their OF:
- Mark Feinsand of MLB.com on why Mets are looking to trade Mark Vientos:
- Yahoo Sports’ MLB Insider Russ Dorsey identified the pitcher he thinks will be the best value on the market this offseason:
