A consistent sore spot for the Houston Astros has been how badly they've been restricted by bloated contracts in recent years. The club has been insistent, though not always successful, at staying under the luxury tax line. That motivation, combined with some ill-fated contracts, forced them to trade Kyle Tucker last offseason.
Despite scrounging together the change needed to land Tatsuya Imai, Houston's poor choices continue to haunt the club as it faces a tough financial reality and a need to shave payroll following some disadvantageous arbitration developments.
The club's outlook is no better in 2027, but after that, we'll begin to see some light at the end of the tunnel.