Peaking sometime between November and February during the doldrums of the offseason, there is a general online debate about whether the Astros — rather, Jim Crane — is cheap about player payroll. It usually happens when a notable free agent signs with another club or another former Astro signs elsewhere. So, you know, fairly often. I typically avoid the cheap label for ownership as the organization has spent money during this competitive window. With that said, I do question the rationale of the decisions surrounding certain contracts, especially from last offseason.
With Dana Brown now in charge of the front office, the Astros have shown considerable restraint in free agency this year.