The Houston Astros face a pivotal offseason as they prepare for the 2025 season without star outfielder Kyle Tucker. Although the team showed resilience during Tucker's absence in 2024, ultimately winning their fourth consecutive AL West title, they faltered in the postseason, getting swept in the Wild Card round. The Astros now look to their outfield group, which includes Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers, to step up significantly to maintain their championship aspirations.

Chas McCormick, who is set to fill Tucker's vacated position in right field, had a disappointing season with an OPS+ that fell 34 points below the league average. This decline is particularly surprising given his excellent performance in 2023, where he achieved an OPS+ of 132. Manager Joe Espada has expressed confidence in McCormick's abilities, urging him to move past his struggles and focus on preparing for the upcoming season.

Espada's encouragement comes with the belief that McCormick's performance in Spring Training will be crucial. If McCormick can recapture his 2023 form, it would not only help fill the void left by Tucker but also provide the Astros with a cost-effective option for the next two seasons, allowing them to address other areas of need as they aim for another World Series title.