HOUSTON ASTROS

The Astros finished 87-75 in 2025, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and ending franchise records of eight consecutive postseason appearances and four straight AL West titles. The offseason brought major roster turnover as Alex Bregman departed for Boston in free agency, Kyle Tucker was traded to the Cubs before the 2025 season, and Framber Valdez left for Detroit on a three-year, $114 million deal. The departures left Yordan Alvarez as the lone Astros All-Star in 2026, heading to Philadelphia by himself, making him the focal point for collector interest as cards for the departed stars cooled while Alvarez's value held steady as Houston's remaining cornerstone.

Where they stand: The Astros are 57-55 this season and sit first in the AL West. Houston climbed from 11 games below .500 earlier in the year, winning 13 of their last 16 to take a 1.5-game lead in the division, though a minus-22 run differential underscores how fragile that advantage remains. At the trade deadline, the team acquired center fielder Daulton Varsho from Toronto in exchange for Spencer Arrighetti to address outfield needs.