Should the Astros Bring Back Bryan Abreu and Steven Okert

Several Astros are on expiring contracts, with the 2027 season approaching. Some should be kept and some will probably go; the question is who.

The players with expiring contracts are Bryan Abreu (relief pitcher), Steven Okert (relief pitcher), Daulton Varsho (outfielder), Christian Vazquez (catcher), and LaMonte Wade Jr. (infielder and outfielder). All players' contracts are expiring, and they are heading into free agency.

The biggest decisions will revolve around Abreu and Okert. Their pitching staff struggled all season; injuries and inconsistency hit the Astros hard. Abreu had his ups and downs, and Okert had a great season, but it kind of went under the radar.

Abreu may have struggled, but he’s been a key factor for years.

It has been suggested that the Astros might let Abreu leave this winter. What would that mean for the bullpen?

Based on his stats, what’s the right move for this team?

Abreu’s 2026 regular-season stats:

6–4 W–L, 3.73 ERA, 66 G, 9 SV, 62.2 IP, 80 SO, 1.36 WHIP

Abreu’s career regular-season stats:

22–16 W–L, 2.82 ERA, 383 G, 25 SV, 392.1 IP, 528 SO, 1.20 WHIP

Abreu’s career stats are strong, but we saw a decline in 2026. The 29-year-old, like many players, had a down season; that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all downhill from here, but it’s definitely something to consider.

That being said, Abreu has been with the Astros for some big moments. He played a role in the 2022 World Series and dominated in 2023. He’s been a key member of the organization, but a declining season could be his last with the Astros as they look to strengthen the bullpen.

The Astros already have to beef up their pitching staff for the 2027 season. Keeping Abreu would be one less gap to fill in the bullpen.

The same applies to Okert. We saw a little more consistency from Okert, but he landed on the IL in early September, and that is where he stayed.

Based on his stats, what is right for the team?

Okert’s 2026 regular-season stats:

6 W, 2 L, 2.13 ERA, 68 G, 1 GS, 0 SV, 67.2 IP, 68 SO, 0.87 WHIP

Career Regular Season Stats:

24 W, 15 L, 3.41 ERA, 408 G, 5 GS, 2 SV, 369.0 IP, 405 SO, 1.09 WHIP

Okert missed the remainder of the season, and his health is definitely something to monitor this offseason. Throughout the up-and-down season the Astros endured, Okert actually had the best season of his career. He was one of the more overlooked players, but was otherwise excellent.

Again, with the Astros already needing to make additions to their pitching staff for the 2027 season, holding on to Okert is the right move. He had an excellent season, and it is one less gap to fill in the bullpen as they prepare for next season.