The Houston Astros are now focused on re-signing pitcher Yusei Kikuchi after trading significant assets to acquire him from the Toronto Blue Jays. Initially met with skepticism, Kikuchi's performance improved under the Astros' coaching, making him a valuable free agent target.

Jim Bowden projects Kikuchi could command a three-year, $42 million deal, which is feasible for Houston. Despite a rocky start to his career, he excelled in his final games with a 2.70 ERA, contributing to the Astros' strong record when he started.

The Houston Astros face a pivotal offseason after their earliest playoff exit in eight years. With general manager Dana Brown hinting at potential roster changes, the focus shifts to the pitching rotation, which struggled with injuries but showed promise with the emergence of players like Hunter Brown and Ronel Blanco.

Despite setbacks, the rotation's performance improved significantly, highlighted by a low opponents' batting average. Key questions remain regarding the health of pitchers like Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. as the team prepares for 2025.