The Houston Astros are heading into the 2023 season with one goal in mind, to defend their 2022 World Series title.
The team defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to capture their second crown since 2017.
However, the team is making plans to keep its core locked up for the foreseeable future.
Several key pieces from last year’s team are still with the club, some of whom the team is looking to offer contract extensions to.
MLB insider Jon Morosi stopped by MLB Network on Monday to discuss these rumors and spoke of two notable players that the Astros are currently looking to offer extensions to.
.@jonmorosi talks through some potential contract extensions for the reigning World Series champs and discusses the role Hunter Brown could play after his dominant stint in '22.#MLBNHotStove | @SieraSantos pic.twitter.com/YKlumvF5eu
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 20, 2023
Morosi revealed that he had spoken to new Astros General Manager Dana Brown about the possibility of contract extensions for Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker.
A snippet of his interview with Brown was then played, and Brown expressed optimism that the club would be able to reach extensions with both Tucker and Valdez, revealing that the conversations he had been having with their agents were quite positive.
Morosi noted some key factors in potential extension talks, most notably the fact that Valdez arrived in the big leagues later than is usual based on when he signed as an amateur free agent.
He also discussed two potential arms that could play a key role for the Astros in 2023.
Both Jose Urquidy and Hunter Brown were not used too frequently in the postseason.
With Justin Verlander now gone, the two pitchers could potentially receive some more opportunities as this season unfolds.
NEXT: Kyle Tucker Discusses His Preparation For 2023
