Astros GM Brown: 'I'm going to be aggressive' about extending stars

The Houston Astros have been arguably baseball's most consistent team over the last half-decade, and new general manager Dana Brown wants to keep their window of contention open indefinitely.

"One of the things you guys will find out is that I'm going to be aggressive," Brown said Thursday, according to the Houston Chronicle's Chandler Rome.

The Astros have most of their stars under contract for the next few seasons, but players like second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman will be eligible for free agency after the 2024 campaign.

Brown locked up one of his young, arbitration-eligible stars Friday when he signed right-hander Cristian Javier to a five-year, $64-million extension. He also said earlier this week he's discussed a long-term extension with outfielder Kyle Tucker's representatives. Tucker, 26, is under club control for another three campaigns and will earn $5 million this season after losing his arbitration hearing Thursday.

Brown plans to prioritize extension talks with players he feels will be most important to the club's continued success.

"You have to evaluate players, and you have to say to yourself, 'Do I see this player as part of the franchise, and can he make a difference?" Brown said.

"Once you make that decision, I think you owe it to the fan base to try to go after them, to lock the player up so your players are not walking out the door and your team falls off a cliff."

The Astros haven't signed any player to more than a six-year deal since owner Jim Crane took control of the club in 2011. Brown believes his aggressive nature will complement Crane's style well.

"I think Jim and I are going to meet somewhere in the middle," Brown said. "I'm more on the aggressive side of signing him. He may be more on the conservative side, but he's very open to getting these players signed."

The defending World Series champions have fortified their lineup this offseason, adding former American League MVP Jose Abreu and re-signing veteran Michael Brantley.