Houston Astros third baseman Nick Allen, left, visits with first baseman Christian Walker, second baseman Jose Altuve and shortstop Jeremy Peña after starting pitcher Hunter Brown is pulled in the first inning during Game 2 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
As the Houston Astros enter the offseason after they were quickly shown the door in the postseason by the Chicago White Sox, almost nothing is settled.
They don’t have a general manager after firing Dana Brown in August. Joe Espada’s contract as manager is up, which meant he spent half his postgame press conference Wednesday night facing questions about his future that he couldn’t really answer. To top it off, there’s a potential lockout looming that means we can’t even start an accurate countdown-to-spring-training clock.
One thing the Astros have going for them is a roster that has nearly all of its key players secured under contract. Entering the offseason, relievers Bryan Abreu and Steven Okert, center fielder Daulton Varsho and catcher Christian Vázquez are the only regular contributors set to hit free agency. Others like Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve have multiple years left on their contract.
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“I’m sure some changes will be discussed, but the heart and soul of this team is still here,” Espada said Wednesday night. “As long as Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez are here, this is a damn good team.”
There are other questions. Like will Tatsuya Imai opt out of his contract for next season? He told reporters after Wednesday’s loss that he would talk it over with his family, but opting in for an $18.6 million salary next season seems like a no-brainer for the pitcher, no matter how much he struggled. Then, there’s Jeremy Peña, who still has one more year of team control remaining, which is the same situation Kyle Tucker was in when Brown traded him to the Chicago Cubs in 2024.
“I love this city, I love everything about the Astros,” Peña said Wednesday night. “And yeah, hopefully I can be here long-term.”
Here is the contract situation for every Astros player entering the 2026-27 offseason …
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Bryan Abreu, relief pitcher
Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning of Game 2 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Becomes a free agent day after World Series is finished
Steven Okert, relief pitcher
Houston Astros reliever Steven Okert walks off the field after giving up the lead on a home run by Athletics designated hitter Max Muncy during the seventh inning of a Major League Baseball game at Daikin Park in Houston, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Becomes a free agent day after World Series is finished
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Daulton Varsho, center fielder
Houston Astros Daulton Varsho is seen in the dugout during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Becomes a free agent day after World Series is finished
Christian Vázquez, catcher
Houston Astros catcher Christian Vazquez flips his bat after slapping a 2-run single off Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz during the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Daikin Park in Houston, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Becomes a free agent day after World Series is finished
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LaMonte Wade Jr., outfielder
Houston Astros LaMonte Wade Jr. gets high-fives in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Becomes a free agent day after World Series is finished
Jeremy Peña, shortstop
Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) reacts after hitting a solo home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Sean Burke in the first inning during Game 2 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Has one year of arbitration left (made $9.5 million in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2027 season
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Isaac Paredes, third baseman
Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) hits single in the first inning during Game 1 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Has one year of arbitration left (made $9.4 million in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2027 season
Christian Walker, first baseman
Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) walks through the dugout after striking out to end the sixth inning during Game 2 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: 3 years, $60 million
Can become a free agent after 2027 season
Cristian Javier, starting pitcher
Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (53) reacts after giving up a 2-run home run to Kansas City Royals John Rave during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: 5 years, $64 million
Can become a free agent after 2027 season
Yordan Alvarez, designated hitter
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, presents Yordan Alvarez with a championship belt after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: 6 years, $115 million
Can become a free agent after 2028 season
Josh Hader, closer
Houston Astros pitcher Josh Hader pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning of Game 2 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: 5 years, $95 million
Can become a free agent after 2028 season
Carlos Correa, third baseman
Carlos Correa worked to return this season but in the end, his ankle tendon wasn’t up to it.
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
Current contract: 6 years, $200 million
Can become a free agent after 2028 season (gets an extra year with 575 plate appearances in 2028, Top 5 2028 MVP finish, 2028 Silver Slugger, 2028 LCS MVP or 2028 World Series MVP)
Hunter Brown, starting pitcher
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown pauses on the mound just before he was lifted from the game during the first inning of Game 2 of an American League Wild Card Series against the Chicago White Sox in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Has two years of arbitration left (made $5.7 million in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2028 season
Yainer Diaz, catcher
Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (21) turns back to the umpire afar he is called out on strikes to end the eighth inning of Game 1 of an American League Wild Card Series against the Chicago White Sox in Houston, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Has two years of arbitration left (made $4.5 million in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2028 season
Tatsuya Imai, pitcher
Houston Astros relief Tatsuya Imai (45) delivers during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: 3 years, $54 million
Can become a free agent after 2028 season or opt out of his contract on his own this offseason or next offseason
Peter Lambert, starting pitcher
Houston Astros pitcher Peter Lambert (38) reacts after getting Chicago White Sox Sam Antonacci to ground out to end the top of the fourth inning during Game 2 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Has one year of arbitration left (made $1.5 million in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2028 season
Taylor Trammell, outfielder
Houston Astros Taylor Trammell (26) reacts after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Has two years of arbitration left (made $900,000 in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2028 season
Jose Altuve, second baseman
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve points to the bullpens as he runs past Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 2 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: 5 years, $125 million
Can become a free agent after 2029 season
Nick Allen, infielder
Houston Astros Nick Allen fields ground balls at second base before an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Has three years of arbitration left (made $1.4 million in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2029 season
Hayden Wesneski, starting pitcher
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) reacts after first baseman Christian Walker makes a play on Athletics Donovan Walton’s ground ball to end the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Has three years of arbitration left (made $975,000 in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2029 season
Bennett Sousa, relief pitcher
Houston Astros pitcher Bennett Sousa (62) reacts after his wild pitch scored Chicago White Sox Munetaka Murakami in the seventh inning during Game 1 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Has three years of arbitration left (made $910,000 in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2029 season
Cam Smith, outfielder
Houston Astros Cam Smith (11) reacts after hitting a solo home run in the second inning during Game 2 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Doesn’t start arbitration until after 2027 season (made $810,000 in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2031 season
Mike Burrows, starting pitcher
Houston Astros pitcher Mike Burrows (50) pitches against Minnesota Twins during a MLB baseball game in Houston, Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Jacob Lujan/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Doesn’t start arbitration until after 2027 season (made $800,000 in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2031 season
Bryan King, relief pitcher
Houston Astros pitcher Bryan King (74) throws against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of Game 1 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Doesn’t start arbitration until after 2027 season (made $799,000 in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2031 season
Joey Loperfido, outfielder
Houston Astros Joey Loperfido (10) fields a single by Minnesota Twins Victor Caratini during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Doesn’t start arbitration until after 2027 season (made $792,000 in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2031 season
AJ Blubaugh, relief pitcher
Houston Astros pitcher AJ Blubaugh (69) delivers in the first inning during Game 2 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Doesn’t start arbitration until after 2028 season (made $790,000 in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2032 season
Miguel Ullola, relief pitcher
Houston Astros relief pitcher Miguel Ullola reacts after striking out Chicago White Sox designated hitter Andrew Benintendi to end the second inning of Game 1 of an American League Wild Card Series in Houston, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Doesn’t start arbitration until after 2028 season (made $780,000 in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2032 season
Logan VanWey, relief pitcher
Houston Astros pitcher Logan Vanwey (64) delivers during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Current contract: Doesn’t start arbitration until after 2028 season (made $780,000 in 2026)
Can become a free agent after 2032 season