After an unfortunate ending to the 2025 season, the Astros are entering a transitional phase. While the team still has solid veterans and emerging talent, during this transition, they have also picked up a few new players along the way, including Nate Pearson, Nick Allen, and Ryan Weiss.
First came Nate Pearson, who was signed on October 21st. The former first-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with Houston. This past season, the 29-year-old split his time between the Chicago Cubs and their Triple-A affiliate, Iowa. Despite averaging 97.6 MPH in the majors and 98 to 101 MPH in the minors, with a peak of 104 MPH, Pearson was released on September 21 due to struggles at the major league level. It was a rocky year for Pearson, but his Triple-A performance shows potential: over 38 appearances, he recorded a 3.43 ERA, struck out 11.5 batters per nine innings, allowed just one home run in 44.2 innings, and finished with a 1.140 WHIP, per MLB.
Next came Nick Allen. In exchange for fan favorite Mauricio Dubón, the Astros added infielder Nick Allen, a former Braves shortstop. Allen is 27 and is known for his speed, versatility, and elite defense. He debuted with the Oakland A’s on April 19, 2022, after being drafted in the third round in 2017 out of Francis Parker High School in San Diego. He has mostly played shortstop and second base during his time with the A’s from 2022 to 2024 and with the Braves in 2025. In 2025, Allen was a Gold Glove finalist and ranked fourth in the National League in Outs Above Average.
Most recently came Ryan Weiss, who agreed to a one-year contract, which is pending a physical, guaranteeing him $2.6 million. Weiss, 28, spent the past two seasons pitching in Korea for the Hanwha Eagles and had two strong years while overseas. In 2025, he went 16–5 with a 2.87 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and struck out 207 batters over 178⅔ innings, per KBO.
Miguel Ullola is not a new name for the Astros organization, but he is a new name on the 40-man roster. Ullola has steadily moved up through the minor league system since signing with Houston in January 2021. The Astros clearly see his potential and chose to protect him.
These additions show that the Astros are serious about shaping the 2026 season. With Pearson bringing power from the mound, Allen with his elite defense, Weiss with his impressive performance overseas, and Ullola developing into a promising arm, Houston is adding both talent and depth. How the Astros integrate them into the roster over the next few months will go a long way in determining how competitive the team can be next year.