Houston’s offseason plan centers on preserving core stability while addressing two free-agent questions. Framber Valdez and Victor Caratini are the only consequential free agents from the current roster, with Valdez anchoring the rotation and Caratini handling catching. The rest of the star core—Altuve, Alvarez, Peña, and Brown among others—remains under team control for the near term, creating room to balance extensions, arbitration, and payroll without a full rebuild.

Beyond Valdez and Caratini, the horizon features a mix of arbitration-eligible depth and aging or longer-term contracts. Key decisions will revolve around how aggressively Houston retains or replaces pieces like Abreu, Dubón, Urías, and McCullers, while mapping out long-term commitments for a championship window that runs through the late 2020s and into 2030s via extensions and option structure.

Houston closed its season with a 6-2 win over the Angels, finishing 87-75 and ending an eight-year playoff run. The finale showcased the Astros’ power surge—four homers in two innings—while rookie Colton Gordon delivered five scoreless frames. Lance McCullers Jr. returned from the IL to log three innings, providing a glimmer of a potential late-season reset for Houston.

Yainer Diaz, Ramón Urías, Brice Matthews and Victor Caratini all went deep as Houston totaled 182 homers for the year, a modest total that underscored a power-driven finish. Mike Trout supplied a signature moment for L.A., but the Astros’ young core and a healthy McCullers set the tone for a pivotal offseason and a retooled 2026 rotation.

Offseason questions loom: Peña went on the injured list, and Houston must decide on rotation roles with Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier as anchors. Manager Joe Espada emphasized reset and work this winter, as the team aims to recapture its championship pursuit after missing the dance despite strong finish and power in the finale.

Houston's eight-year playoff run ends as Cleveland clinches the final AL playoff berth with a 3-2 win over Texas. The decisive moment came when C.J. Kayfus was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth, delivering the go-ahead run for the Guardians. Houston's season sagged under injuries and upheaval—Yordan Alvarez missed significant time, Alex Bregman left for Boston, Kyle Tucker went to Chicago, and Hader, Peña, and Paredes spent stretches on the IL. Seattle surged, Oakland steadied up, and Detroit kept pace, but the Astros will miss the postseason for the first time since 2016. The Guardians advance, and Houston’s offseason starts with a broad reckoning.

From a fantasy lens, Cleveland’s ascent signals a depth-forward approach with a resilient bullpen and a young core, while Houston’s rebuild will reframe value with new faces and potential late-round standouts. The domino effect across the AL West and Central should reshape draft boards and strategy for 2026.

Sunday’s late MLB DFS slate centers on big prize pools and flexible builds. Strider vs Pirates stands out as a top pay-up arm with a six-strikeout streak; King could push deep for the Padres, while Cantillo and Bubba Chandler offer salary relief with limited upside. Eduardo Rodriguez is a volatile dart throw with upside in the right matchup, and Ketel Marte along with George Valera emerge as solid value options to anchor lineups.

Offense leans toward Yastrzemski’s leadoff upside and Stephenson’s multi-position appeal. The Astros at Angels stack remains a focal point, with Altuve and Correa delivering power in favorable spots, while Brewers’ two-pronged piggyback approach and Royals’ hot bats provide sturdy diversification for multi-entry builds on a slate that rewards pace and leverage.