The Final Free Agent Goes Off the Board
The last premier MLB free agent of the season, former Houston Astros star third baseman Alex Bregman, has finally signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. With this significant transaction, the 2017 World Series champion Astros’ core has been significantly reshuffled. Of the once-formidable lineup, only second baseman and three-time batting champion All-Star Jose Altuve remains with the team. This era-defining roster, which was later embroiled in a scandal over an illegal sign-stealing scheme, has seen its players disperse to various corners of Major League Baseball, each leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
The Last Standing Sentinels
While Altuve remains the last position player from the 2017 championship team, starting pitcher Lance McCullers is the only remaining pitcher. McCullers, who hasn’t taken the mound since 2022 due to chronic elbow issues, has been a crucial figure for the Astros. However, the focus often returns to Altuve, a symbol of the team’s resilience and enduring spirit. Despite the controversy that has shadowed the Astros, Altuve’s consistency and skill have kept him a fan favorite and a vital part of the organization.
Carlos Correa’s Circuitous Journey
Carlos Correa, a three-time All-Star, played four more seasons with the Astros, contributing to two more American League pennant-winning teams in 2019 and 2021. In 2021, he led all MLB position players with a 7.2 WAR and posted a career-high 20 DRS at shortstop. However, his journey post-Houston has been nothing short of tumultuous. After the MLB lockout, Correa signed with the Minnesota Twins. The following year, he was the center of a historic offseason, with deals worth $350 million with the San Francisco Giants and $315 million with the New York Mets falling through due to medical concerns over his ankle. Both teams used the same doctor for the medical, adding to the confusion. Ultimately, Correa returned to the Twins on a six-year, $200 million deal, where he continues to play today.
George Springer’s Northwestern Drift
George Springer, one of the best all-around outfielders in the sport, continued his stellar performance for the Astros through 2020, earning All-Star honors in 2018 and 2019. Springer’s postseason prowess is legendary; he hit 19 home runs in 63 postseason appearances, solidifying his place in the team’s history. In the 2020-21 offseason, he signed a six-year, $150 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. In Toronto, Springer, a two-time Silver Slugger and four-time All-Star, has continued to excel, primarily playing center field from 2021-22 and right field since then. However, injuries have limited him, and he hit a career-low .220 in 2024.
Yuli Gurriel’s Enduring Legacy
Yuli Gurriel, a late bloomer who made his MLB debut at 31, quickly became a vital piece for the Astros. He emerged as their starting first baseman in 2017, known for his ability to avoid strikeouts. Gurriel’s impact was significant, as he totaled 31 home runs and 104 RBIs when the Astros won the AL pennant in 2019 and led the AL with a .319 batting average in 2021. He played for the Astros through 2022, followed by short stints with the Miami Marlins and Kansas City Royals. Currently, Gurriel is a free agent, seeking his next opportunity to contribute to a winning team.
The Supporting Cast and Their Legacies
The Astros’ 2017 championship roster was bolstered by a talented supporting cast, each leaving their own legacy. Josh Reddick, a former Gold Glove outfielder, signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the Astros in the 2016-17 offseason. His best season at the plate with Houston came in 2017, when he drove in 82 runs and hit .314. Reddick played out his contract with the Astros from 2017-20, primarily serving as a stable force in right field, and last played in 2021 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Evan Gattis, known for his powerful batting and beard, spent the final four seasons of his career with the Astros (2015-18), averaging 24 home runs, 73 RBIs, and a .245/.298/.471 slash line per season. He provided a formidable presence in the lineup and in the field. After the 2018 season, Gattis never played again.
Marwin Gonzalez, a versatile utility player, started at all four infield positions and both corner outfield positions for the Astros from 2012-18. His best seasons came in 2017-18, with a career-best .907 OPS in 2017 and an average of 20 home runs, 79 RBIs, and a .274/.349/.467 slash line. Gonzalez played for the Twins (2019-20), Red Sox and Astros (2021), and the New York Yankees (2022).
Brian McCann, a six-time Silver Slugger and seven-time All-Star, provided veteran leadership and excellence as a catcher for the Astros from 2017-18. He logged 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in 2017, serving as a vital complement to the team’s offense and pitching staff. McCann played two seasons with the Astros and finished his career with the Braves in 2019.
Carlos Beltran, a veteran mentor, joined the Astros on a one-year, $16 million deal in 2017. Though his role diminished later in the season, he still contributed 14 home runs and 51 RBIs in his final season as a player. Beltran later worked as a special advisor for the Yankees and was hired as the Mets’ manager before being fired amid the sign-stealing scandal.
Jake Marisnick, a quality outfielder, played for the Astros from 2014-19, posting a career-best .815 OPS in 2017. He has since played for seven teams and last appeared in an MLB game in 2023.
The Future of the Astros
The 2017 World Series champion Houston Astros, despite the cloud of controversy, have seen their core players disperse, each making significant impacts in their respective teams. Jose Altuve stands as a testament to the team’s enduring spirit, while the likes of Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Yuli Gurriel continue to shape the landscape of Major League Baseball. The supporting cast, though less heralded, has also left a lasting legacy. As the Astros look to the future, they do so with the lessons of the past and the talent of the present, striving to maintain their position as one of the elite teams in the league.
