Houston Astros: Three legitimate MVP candidates reside on the roster
By T.A. Mock
A lot of rosters in the MLB have a lot of talent. However, not many rosters can boast three legitimate MVP candidates like the Houston Astros can.
The Houston Astros are taking the field today for the first time since they lost to the Boston Red Sox in game five of the ALCS. Today’s game is vastly less significant than that fateful game in October but getting back on the field will be good nonetheless.
For the most part, the Astros roster remains the same from that final game in October to today. Only a few players are different yet the goal remains the same. The team desires to win their second championship in three years and slightly retooled to do it.
The team is losing/has lost four key players to free agency in Charlie Morton, Marwin Gonzalez, Brian McCann, and Dallas Keuchel. These three guys have played key roles for a while and will definitely be missed. The Astros also have to replace Lance McCullers in the rotation due to his elbow surgery.
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The Houston Astros have added several players to help the void that those men above have left. Aledmys Diaz was added to fill that MarGo role. Robinson Chirinos was added to stabilize the catcher position. Michael Brantley gives the team their best left fielder they’ve had in a while. Wade Miley helps solidify the rotation. All four of these guys will help the team’s championship aspirations.
However, the three most key position players to the Astros’ championship aspirations aren’t new acquisitions. They’re guys that have guided the team to nearly unheralded success the past two seasons and look to do so again. They’re guys that have legitimate shots at winning the MVP at the end the of the season.