The Astros had a busy day today as the pre-arbitration deadline arrived, finalizing deals with several players and giving the front office a clearer picture of its 2026 payroll.
Pre-arbitration is the period when teams and players with fewer than three years of service time agree on salaries for the upcoming season, and avoiding disputes helps both sides focus on the field rather than negotiations.
Here’s a look at the Astros who avoided pre-arbitration this year, per si:
Hunter Brown: $5.71 million
Jeremy Peña: $9.475 million
Jesús Sánchez: $6.8 million
Jake Meyers: $3.55 million
Steven Okert: $2.325 million
Nick Allen: $1.4 million
Hayden Wesneski: $975,000
Bennett Sousa: $910,000
Enyel De Los Santos: $1.6 million (agreed in November)
Taylor Trammell: Split deal - $900,000 in majors, $500,000 in minors (later outrighted)
Several players, including Bryan Abreu, Isaac Paredes, and Yainer Díaz, have not yet reached agreements, leaving some questions about the remainder of Houston’s arbitration class.
Getting these deals done early allows the Astros to plan both financially and roster-wise for the offseason while giving players peace of mind heading into spring training.
It also lets the team focus on what really matters in 2026, keeping the rotation and lineup steady and making sure young players like Brown and Peña can hit the ground running without worrying about contracts.
Spring training will be an exciting time and the first real look at how competitive the Astros can be in 2026. It’s also a chance for the team to work on flow and build chemistry.