The Houston Astros set the record for the worst division-winner record in MLB history in 2026, finishing 81-81.
The Chicago White Sox promptly swept them in the two-game Wild Card Series.
The good news for the Astros? A weak American League leaves the door open for another postseason run in 2027.
For now, they have no general manager or manager after parting ways with Dana Brown and Joe Espada.
Houston will need to add at least one outfielder this offseason. Daulton Varsho and LaMonte Wade Jr. are headed to unrestricted free agency.
FanSided’s Jake Elman wrote that the Astros should avoid New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham unless he’s willing to accept a one-year contract.
“Grisham is good for 15-20 homers a season, though his defense has declined sharply over the last few years. Would he be open to signing a one-year, prove-it deal after a disappointing 2026 campaign?
“The one knock against him is he’s almost exclusively played center field and DH’d since 2020, but presumably he could slide over into a corner without much trouble,” Elman wrote.
Grisham had multiple IL stints for hamstring injuries in 2026, hitting .211/.308/.395 with 18 home runs and a .703 OPS.
Those numbers were a step down from his offensive production in 2025, when he hit a career-high 34 homers with a 123 OPS+.
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If the Astros are concerned with his defense, it may be best to find a right-handed hitting platoon partner.
With Yordan Alvarez, there won’t be many opportunties for Grisham to slot in at DH.
Grisham may not be the perfect fit, but the Astros could prefer to sign him instead of a reunion with Varsho.
