The Houston Astros are only a few hours removed from the final out that secure their 2017 World Series win, but many are already looking ahead to next year's ring - and maybe even the year after that as well. The truth is these weren't a group of seasoned, expensive veterans looking for a ring before they ride off into the sunset. The World Series champs are young, hungry, and still a baseball bargain on the field - which is exactly how they planned this. 

We'll take a look ahead at the contract status for each notable Astros player as MLB flips the switch to the offseason.

Related: A Multi-Year look at the Astros Payroll 

 

The Rotation

These six accounted for just $27.7M in 2017 payroll. If all return, that number will push to near $50M in 2018. Houston is paying $20M of Verlander's $28M salary next year, and may consider a short extension thereafter should he continue to produce for them in the upcoming season. Keuchel's contract will be a major focus this winter, as his arbitration salary will certainly rise into 8 digits. 

PlayerAgeStatus2018 SalaryNotes
Justin Verlander 34 Signed $20,000,000 Signed through 2019 with a vesting option in 2020.
Dallas Keuchel 28 Arb. 3 $12,500,000 (est.) UFA in 2019, extension candidate
Lance McCullers  23 Arb. 1 $2,000,000 (est.) Arbitration through 2021, UFA in 2022
Charlie Morton 33 Signed $7,000,000 UFA in 2019
Brad Peacock 28 Arb. 2 $2,700,000 (est) Arbitration through 2021, UFA in 2022
Collin McHugh 29 Arb. 2 $4,800,000 (est) Arbitration through 2019, UFA in 2020
      $49,000,000  

 

The Bullpen

The Astros will look to add some depth to the middle of their bullpen this winter, but their big players are all under control for at least 4 more season. It's also likely that one of the starters (McHugh) lands in the bullpen for the majority of the season. But it's expected Houston will spend the majority of its free agent/trade assets in this area.

PlayerAgeStatus2018 SalaryNotes
Ken Giles 26 Arb. 1 $4,000,000 (est) Arbitration through 2020, UFA in 2021
Joe Musgrove 23 TC $545,000 (est) Team control through 2019, Arbitration through 2022
Chris Devenski 25 TC $600,000 (est.) Team control through 2018, Arbitration through 2021
Will Harris 32 Signed $2,800,000 $5.5M club option in 2019
Tony Sipp 33 Signed $6,000,000 UFA in 2019
Michael Fiers 31 Arb. 2 $5,100,000 (est.) Arbitration through 2019, UFA in 2020
Michael Feliz 23 TC $545,000 Team control through 2018, Arbitration through 2021
Francisco Liriano 33     Free Agent
Luke Gregerson 32     Free Agent
Tyler Clippard 31     Free Agent
      $19,590,000  


The Lineup

Outside of Beltran, who may walk off into the sunset with his ring, each everyday Astros player is either signed or under team control for 2018. Houston will need to decide where and how to spend their money this offseason, as a few of these players are certainly deserving of long-term extensions (Altuve, Springer, Gonzalez). 

PlayerAgePosStatus2018 SalaryNotes
Brian McCann 32 C Signed $11,500,000 Signed through 2018 with a vesting option in 2019.
Evan Gattis 30 C/DH Arb. 3 $6,200,000 (est.) Arbitration through 2018, UFA in 2019.
Yulieski Gurriel 32 1B Signed $12,400,000 Signed through 2020.
Jose Altuve 26 2B Signed $6,000,000 Signed through 2019, extension candidate
Carlos Correa 22 SS TC $545,000 (est.) Team Control through 2018, Arbitration through 2021.
Alex Bregman 22 3B TC $545,000 (est.) Team Control through 2019, Arbitration through 2022.
Josh Reddick 29 OF Signed $13,000,000 Signed through 2020.
George Springer 27 OF Arb. 2 $9,000,000 (est.) Arbitration through 2019, UFA in 2020, extension candidate.
Marwin Gonzalez 27 OF Signed $5,125,000 UFA in 2019, extension candidate
Derek Fisher 23 OF TC $545,000 (est.) Team Control through
Jake Marisnick 25 OF Arb. 2 $2,000,000 (est.) Arbitration through 2019, UFA in 2020.
Cameron Maybin 29 OF     Free Agent
Carlos Beltran 39 DH     Free Agent
        $66,686,000