Zack Littell? Harrison Bader? Utility Player? 3 MLB Free Agents Astros Should Sign

The Houston Astros are at an inflection point.

They just missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years with the winner of the American League West, the Seattle Mariners, claiming the division with just 90 wins. Moreover, Houston, which traditionally boasts a high-octane offense, was just 21st in MLB in runs (686).

This is a franchise that has been a perennial contender for a decade, but they need to make moves around the edges to get back to posing that threat. 

Here are three MLB free agents that Houston should sign.

Zack Littell posted a career-high 3.2 wins above replacement in 2025. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

2025 stats: 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 130 strikeouts, 111 ERA+, 3.2 wins above replacement (186.2 innings pitched)

How about investing in a starting pitcher on the rise? Houston's starting rotation was respectable but little more last season, finishing the regular season tied for 13th in MLB in ERA (3.97) and tied for 12th in WHIP (1.23). Plus, ace Framber Valdez remains a free agent. The Astros recently acquired right-hander Mike Burrows (3.94 ERA in 23 appearances/19 starts in 2025) in a three-team trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, which is a plausible move, but adding another legitimate starting pitcher like Littell is a prudent play.

After a rough start to his MLB career, Littell found his way to the Rays in 2023 and has since become a reliable force as a starting pitcher. He continues to pitch deep into games, surrender fewer baserunners and has maintained a consistent, four-pitch arsenal: slider, split-fingered fastball, four-seamer and sinker; Littell also mixes in a sweeper.

Over the past two seasons, Littell has recorded a combined 3.73 ERA in 61 starts. Burrows could