The Houston Astros face an uncertain future with key players Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander following their early exit from the 2024 playoffs. The Astros, winners of the AL West, were eliminated by the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card series, losing 5-2 in Game 2. After reaching the AL Championship Series seven times in a row and winning two World Series titles, this quick playoff exit may mark the end of an era for the team, particularly regarding Bregman and Verlander.
Bregman, who has been the Astros’ third baseman for nine seasons, can become a free agent this offseason. Drafted as the No. 2 overall pick in 2015, the 30-year-old has been an essential player for the team. After the loss, Bregman admitted he hadn’t thought much about his future, saying, “I was planning on being here tomorrow. I’ll let my agent handle that this offseason.” Reflecting on his time with the Astros, he expressed appreciation for the experience, noting that he made his debut at 21 and cherished the success the team had achieved.
This season, Bregman posted a .260 batting average with 26 home runs and 75 RBIs. While his future remains uncertain, teammate Jose Altuve expressed strong hope that Bregman would return, stating, “I’m pretty confident that he’s going to be our third baseman next year. We have to have him. We’re not going to be the same organization without him.” Altuve even mentioned plans to talk to team owner Jim Crane about re-signing Bregman, adding that he would be “heartbroken” if Bregman left.
Verlander, at 41, also faces an uncertain future. The three-time Cy Young Award winner needed to reach 140 innings this season to activate a $35 million player option in his contract, but injuries prevented him from meeting that milestone. Verlander missed two months due to a neck injury and struggled upon his return, finishing the season with a 5-6 record and a 5.48 ERA in 17 starts. His September performances were especially rough, and he was left off the postseason roster.
Despite his struggles, Verlander expressed a desire to continue pitching, saying he still has “a lot more to give” and isn’t ready to retire. He reflected fondly on his time with the Astros, where he helped win two World Series titles. However, with a young starting rotation, it seems unlikely he will return next season.
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