The Houston Astros have been a player development wonder for nearly a decade now.
They were a rebuilding team before 2015, but dominated the second half of the 2010s and the early part of the 2020s.
The recipe for success has not been spending huge amounts of money: it’s savvy planning, making the right trades, and building through the draft and the amateur international market.
The Astros model guarantees sustainability: key players may leave through free agency eventually, but the organization is well-equipped to replace each and every departing piece with a similarly competitive player.
There are several examples of players who have left the Astros looking for high-priced deals, yet the franchise keeps getting the job done.
“Springer is a Blue Jay. Cole is a Yankee. Verlander is a Met. Correa is a Giant. And the @astros are the defending World Series champions,” Astros insider Adam Clanton tweeted.
Springer is a Blue Jay.
Cole is a Yankee.
Verlander is a Met.
Correa is a Giant.And the @astros are the defending World Series champions.
— Adam Clanton (@adamclanton) December 14, 2022
The Astros Overcome Roster Turnover With A Strong Farm And A Clear Philosophy
Only Correa played for the Astros (Verlander was injured) when they reached the 2021 World Series.
Only Verlander was on the roster this year, when they won the Fall Classic.
They have also lost other key players in recent seasons.
However, they have also graduated Chas McCormick, Yordan Alvarez, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, Kyle Tucker, and several other contributors.
The Yankees re-signed Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo, and they also brought in Carlos Rodon.
The Mariners traded for Teoscar Hernandez, and the Blue Jays signed pitcher Chris Bassitt.
Despite those moves, the Astros are still the team to beat in the American League and it’s not looking particularly close either.
They are a world-class organization when it comes to identifying and developing talent.
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Obviously Right says
From 2017 only the BAM brothers remain..
Bregman, Altuve, McCullers…
Can the Astros be crowned Champions again before these core 3 reach free agency again?
Frank says
Well said Andres!