The Houston Astros have been a dominant force in the American League for the past eight seasons after making seven straight American League championships.
Now that the streak has ended with their wild-card loss in 2024, the Astros’ streak of dominance may be over.
The Astros have already traded star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs and are on the verge of losing third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency.
With the Astros looking to make a move, MLB analyst CJ Nitkowski named a free agent first baseman who would be a good fit for the Astros.
“You can do better with Pete Alonso,” Nitkowski said via Sirius XM’s MLB Network Radio.
Do it @Astros: Shifting focus from 3B to 1B after the reported trade block of Nolan Arenado?
CJ Nitkowski first outlines Houston’s options.
🔗https://t.co/fGPbvbjGlC pic.twitter.com/UN6pG0p6Qu
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 19, 2024
The Astros acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Cubs in a trade for Tucker, who could fill the position if Bregman signs elsewhere.
In 2024, Paredes played in 153 games with the Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays, where he batted .238 with 19 home runs, 80 RBI and a .739 OPS.
For that reason, Nitkowski suggests the Astros focus on the first base position and try to acquire Alonso from the New York Mets.
Alonso played in all 162 games with the Mets in 2024, where he batted .240 with 34 home runs, 88 RBI and a .788 OPS.
Nitkowski notes that the team could be better off with this combination than if they signed Bregman to the big deal he’s seeking.
Alonso will be a name to keep an eye on as the Astros try to win their fifth consecutive AL West title in 2025.
NEXT: Details are emerging as to why Alex Bregman may not return to the Astros
