Crane: Astros to build best team 'without going crazy' in free agency

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane expects his club to be competitive again in 2025, but he isn't planning to be overly aggressive in free agency.

"We want to try to field the best team we can without going crazy," Crane said Monday, per MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. "Some of the payrolls are pretty high for the biggest teams, but I think we were the fifth-highest payroll. That’s the first time we’ve done that. We have the wherewithal to do that if we need to do it."

The Astros had the highest payroll in franchise history at $255.2 million in 2024.

Longtime third baseman Alex Bregman is a free agent for the first time in his career. Crane is hopeful the club will be able to retain Bregman but is keeping all his options open when it comes to the third base market.

"We know (Bregman's agent) Scott (Boras)," Crane said. "He’s going to do the best he can to get the most for (Bregman) if it’s a place he wants to go. … At some point, we would have to make a decision. We’re looking now at a backup (options). You’re exploring all the options, so that’s what’s happening now."

Crane and Astros general manager Dana Brown signed star second baseman Jose Altuve to a five-year, $125-million contract extension in February. The Astros haven't given a free agent more than five guaranteed years on a contract since Crane assumed ownership of the club in 2011.

Houston was swept in the AL wild-card series by the Detroit Tigers last season, snapping the franchise's streak of advancing to every ALCS since 2016.