Brad Ausmus Is Hired, but Three Major Astros Issues Remain

Randy Flores has now made one of the biggest decisions of the offseason by hiring the Astros’ 21st manager, and now he can turn his attention elsewhere.

Here is a look at the top three issues the new GM, Randy Flores, and new manager, Brad Ausmus, are inheriting.

1. The crowded infield

One of the biggest problems for the Astros heading into the 2027 season is their crowded infield. With Carlos Correa returning, Houston has too many players expecting regular playing time.

Houston picked up Isaac Paredes’s $13.35 million club option Monday, November 2. It was a good move for a clutch young player, but it didn’t do the overcrowding any favors. Since then, all eyes seem to be on Jeremy Peña when it comes to trade talk.

Could trading Peña be the right solution?

The risk of keeping Peña is that he becomes a free agent after 2027. If Houston can’t reach an extension, the Astros could lose him without getting a player in return. Trading him now would at least give Houston a chance to get something back.

The main trade options are Peña, Paredes, and Christian Walker. Like all tough decisions, they all come with real pros and cons.

2. The struggling outfield

With Jake Meyers gone and Daulton Varsho now a free agent, who will take over center field for the Astros in 2027? Could we see more of Brice Matthews and Lucas Spence, or will Houston need to look outside the organization?

The Astros’ outfield ranked 29th of 30 teams in OPS. Houston got Daulton Varsho from Toronto as a rental on August 3, and he’s now a free agent. Then, Joey Loperfido had hip surgery. Looking at their outfielders as a whole, the group looks thin.

Both Matthews and Spence are still working to earn a regular position, but the Astros do have them in their back pocket. The question is: Will Flores trust these young players to hold down such an important role, or will he look outside the organization?

3. Pitching depth

Houston desperately needs pitching depth heading into 2027, and 2026 was a perfect example of just how much. Flores has made a few moves early in his time with the Astros, but there will be more ahead.

So far, Flores has taken a chance on a younger arm, Evan Reifert.

Reifert is not a major acquisition, but he adds another pitching option. Flores is beginning to reshape the Astros’ roster, and Reifert will have an opportunity to prove himself heading into 2027.

The Astros’ pitching staff is thin, with Hunter Brown and Peter Lambert carrying much of the workload. Obviously, Brown and Lambert can’t hold things down between the two of them all season. The Astros need to add arms to their rotation, but also work on developing what they already have. A question to be answered: Should Tatsuya Imai be moved back to a starter, or developed as a reliever?

Flores needs to decide whether to pursue a starting pitcher through free agency or trades while also strengthening the bullpen.

It will be interesting to see what Ausmus and Flores tackle first as they attempt to get this team ready for 2027. Have the Astros seen the last of Peña? Will Imai stay in the bullpen? What new players could put on an Astros uniform for the first time in 2027?

Lots of questions, and lots of work for the Astros’ most recent hires.