The Houston Astros are heading into one of their most uncertain offseasons in nearly a decade, and one surprising name could be on the chopping block. Outfielder Jesús Sánchez, acquired from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline, has been listed by Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter as a potential non-tender candidate. This move would underscore just how much Houston plans to reshape its roster after missing the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Sánchez’s Disappointing Houston Stint Raises Questions
When Houston traded for Sánchez this past summer, they envisioned a left-handed power bat who could fill in for an injured Yordan Alvarez and deepen the lineup. Instead, they got one of the least productive half-seasons of his career. In 47 games, Sánchez hit just .199 with a .269 on-base percentage and a 69 OPS+, struggling to find rhythm at Daikin Park and falling behind Jake Meyers and rookie Cam Smith in the depth chart.
Reuter noted that Sánchez’s projected arbitration salary for 2026 could make him expendable. “Jesús Sánchez was acquired at the deadline, but he is an obvious non-tender candidate with a projected $6.5 million salary,” he wrote, according to Bleacher Report.
That number, while not exorbitant, could be significant for an Astros club facing payroll pressure and a long list of holes to fill. Houston’s bullpen collapsed late in 2025, its rotation remains unsettled behind Hunter Brown, and the team’s overall depth took a hit after several seasons of aggressive deadline buying.
Sánchez’s disappointing numbers might make him the easiest casualty of Houston’s roster crunch. But cutting ties after just a few months would be bold—especially considering the Astros gave up assets to acquire him.
Depth and Dollars Could Decide Sánchez’s Fate
Manager Joe Espada will have tough choices to make this spring. If Alvarez enters 2026 fully healthy, he’ll join a crowded group that includes Meyers, Alvarez, rookie Jacob Melton, Smith, and veteran Jesús Sánchez, all competing for at most three everyday spots. The surplus could tempt general manager Dana Brown to clear salary room rather than stash an underperforming bat on the bench.
On the other hand, Houston’s situation isn’t without risk. Altuve’s declining defense could push him toward designated hitter duties more frequently, potentially shifting Alvarez back into the outfield and raising injury concerns. If that happens, the Astros would suddenly be thin in the very position they’re now trying to trim.
Meyers’ breakout 2025 season also comes with questions about sustainability—his track record before last year was inconsistent, and regression remains a possibility. If both he and Sánchez falter or if injuries pile up again, the Astros could find themselves relying heavily on unproven youngsters like Smith and Melton, an unsettling thought for a team determined to rebound in 2026.
Still, non-tendering Sánchez would give Houston more financial flexibility to strengthen their pitching staff—primarily if they pursue upgrades in free agency or look to resign key players like Framber Valdez.
The Astros’ front office has rarely hesitated to make cold, calculated moves, and this could be another. Letting Sánchez go would symbolize a shift toward efficiency and roster balance rather than nostalgia for a player who never found his footing in orange and navy.
Whether Houston decides to cut ties or give Sánchez a second chance, one thing is certain: this offseason will test how far the Astros are willing to go to reclaim their place among baseball’s elite.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Astros Could Non-Tender Outfielder After Disappointing Finish appeared first on Heavy Sports.