Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez in frame (Credit: AP)
After star slugger Yordan Alvarez suffered a serious setback, the Houston Astros are actively looking at their possibilities in the free agent market. Alvarez was initially anticipated to return in early June following a strain to his right hand; however, the finding of a slight fracture in his hand has hampered his recuperation. The Astros now require rapid reinforcement to help them deal with the difficulties of the American League West standings as a result of this unforeseen event.
Alvarez sustained the injury on May 2nd, and even though he took part in live batting practice, he complained of pain, which led to additional imaging that showed the fracture. He was batting .210 with three home runs and 18 runs batted in (RBI) over 29 games before to his injury. His All-Star-caliber numbers from the prior season, when he hit 35 home runs and had a.308 batting average, are far superior than this effort.
Top 3 Free Agent Candidates
1. Whit Merrifield
Since his time with the Atlanta Braves, the versatile three-time All-Star has been without a team. Merrifield, who has a career batting average of.280 and is renowned for his versatility, may provide the Astros’ team with much-needed depth, especially in their struggling outfield.
Former World Series winner Anthony Rizzo is another possible target. Rizzo may be used as a designated hitter, adding much-needed strength to the middle of the lineup, even though his power numbers have decreased. As the young Astros players navigate a challenging season, they would also benefit from his leadership and postseason experience.
3. Robbie Grossman
After starting his career with the Astros in 2013, Robbie Grossman has played for a number of clubs and was awarded a World Series ring by the Rangers. Despite his lacklustre offensive numbers, the Astros would benefit from his defensive abilities, especially as an outfielder, as they work through their present personnel issues.
These free agency targets are good choices for the Astros to improve their AL West performance as they look to fortify their lineup in the wake of Yordan Alvarez’s injury setback. The team’s strategy and personnel changes in the upcoming weeks will be critical if they want to stay competitive in the league.