The era of dominance for the Houston Astros is reaching its conclusion.
The Houston Astros have established themselves as a dominant force in modern baseball. Despite the complexities of MLB’s playoff system, they have consistently reached the American League Championship Series for seven consecutive years, appeared in the World Series four times, and secured two championships during this impressive run. Their stronghold over the AL West division has been virtually unbroken since 2017, with the exception of the shortened 2020 season due to the pandemic. However, as the saying goes, what goes up must eventually come down, and there are indications that their era of supremacy may be nearing its end.
While four key players remain from the 2017 championship squad—albeit with one briefly departing for the New York Mets—questions loom over their future contributions. Second baseman and potential future Hall of Famer Jose Altuve recently inked a lucrative five-year, $125 million extension that will see him through his age-39 season. Third baseman Alex Bregman continues to provide steady performance batting behind Altuve in the lineup. Justin Verlander, the linchpin of their pitching staff, has returned after earning two Cy Young Awards since his trade from the Detroit Tigers in August 2017, though concerns about his age (turning 41 this season) and declining strikeout rate linger. Lance McCullers Jr. remains a presence, but his ability to stay healthy and contribute effectively is still in question following a season missed due to injuries.
Each of these stalwarts faces their own set of challenges. Altuve, while still displaying impressive offensive prowess, saw a decline in his sprint speed last season and will turn 34 in May. Bregman, approaching his 30s, enters the final year of his contract in 2024. Verlander’s advancing age and diminished strikeout rate raise doubts about his ability to maintain his previous level of dominance. McCullers must demonstrate his recovery from injury and prove himself capable of making meaningful contributions to the team.
