Houston Astros offseason outfield analysis: Star power present but livelier bat needed in center…

Their earliest exit in eight years gives the Houston Astros a head start on plotting a return to contention next season. This winter brings the potential for change, with familiar faces headed toward free agency and general manager Dana Brown vowing the team is “not taking anything off the table” in pursuit of improving its roster. It invites an overview of each position group and its outlook. Next, the outfield:

2024 review: Kyle Tucker was producing at MVP-type rates when he fouled a ball off his right leg June 3 and missed the next three months with a shin fracture. Tucker’s absence, and Yordan Alvarez’s being limited to 53 starts in left field, highlighted the Astros’ lack of offense from their other outfield options. Overall, the group produced a .721 OPS that ranked 12th in the majors but was the lowest mark totaled by Astros outfielders since 2016.

Chas McCormick, after a breakout 2023 season, slumped to a .576 OPS. Jake Meyers, in essentially an everyday role, played strong center field defense but produced a .646 OPS. Mauricio Dubón made a career-high 73 starts in the outfield. Houston added veterans Jason Heyward and Ben Gamel in the second half and played them regularly in a search for offense. The Astros used eight different players at both corner outfield spots in 2024.

Area of struggle: After posting an .842 OPS in 2023, McCormick endured a stark drop in production. He slashed .211/.271/.306 with five home runs in 94 games. Tucker’s injury, Meyers’ modest offense and Alvarez’s limited availability in left field all provided avenues for McCormick to command playing time, but his struggles prevented it. A cause was difficult to pinpoint. McCormick said for much of the season he felt he was getting hittable pitches and missing them. He slugged .316 against fastballs after slugging .521 on them in 2023. He also missed most of May due to a hamstring injury and the final 18 games of the regular season with a right hand fracture.

Key question: What is the plan in center field? Last winter, Brown announced the Astros’ intent to give Meyers a shot at being their everyday center fielder, voicing hope that Meyers could make strides as a hitter. Meyers owned an .849 OPS at the end of May. He then hit .190 with a .562 OPS over the rest of the season. That McCormick did not supplant Meyers in the second half reflected his own struggles.