3 Houston Astros Who Won't Be Back in 2025

The Houston Astros' season came to an unlikely end on Wednesday night, being swept out of the Wild Card series in two straight by the Detroit Tigers. It's the first time in eight years that Houston will not make it as far as the American League Championship Series.

Now, it's time for a big reassessment by the Astros. Where do they go from here? They have several aging stars that aren't quite what they once were.

We have a look at three players who won't be back in 2025.

Alex Bregman

Yes, this is the big one. That one that Astros fans will have a hard time swallowing.

Yes, Bregman says right now that he wants to come back to Houston. But the tweet he sent out after their elimination Wednesday night hints otherwise.

Thank you Houston
— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) October 3, 2024

"Thank you Houston". That's it. That's the tweet.

But even more of a reason to expect that Bregman won't return is the fact that he heads into free agency this winter looking for a huge payday — and with the paucity of proven star bats on the market (only Pete Alonso and Anthony Santander are in his snack bracket), he is expected to command a long-term $200 million contract. The Astros will not pay it. As noted by Cody Williams of Fansided, Bregman "definitely won't be back."

Justin Verlander

The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young Winner spent most of the 2024 season on the injured list, and when he did pitch (17 starts), it was not pretty. He posted a 5.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Now an unrestricted free agent, he says he wants to pitch again next season at age 42. But with so many young up-and-coming hurlers in town, it won't be with Houston.

Jason Heyward

The 35-year-old has slowed down considerably, with three dreadful seasons out of the last four. After a brief rejuvenation in Los Angeles with the Dodgers in 2023, Heyward was back struggling to stay above the Mendoza Line this year. He did maintain an OPS+ above average in his 24 games with the Astros, but he was a complete non-factor in the two playoff losses, and was even pinch-hit for in each game. He will not be back.