LA Angels: AL West rival Astros proving that they’re not giving up yet
![Sep 10, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) looks on from the dugout during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fhalohangout-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2021-2F11-2F16723160-850x560-17da35705981a977889e700a70e56112.jpg)
After the Houston Astros lost the World Series, many questions surrounding the LA Angels‘ division rival’s future arose.
Will they be able to keep Justin Verlander? What about Zack Greinke? Where’s Carlos Correa going?
All of these are major questions surrounding the Astros. While it’s now certain that Greinke will not be returning to the ‘Stros next year, the Astros just re-signed somebody even more important. It goes to show that the Astros are most certainly not giving up.
LA Angels’ rival Manager, Dusty Baker, has been re-signed by the Houston Astros.
The LA Angels will still have serious competition from the Houston Astros for the AL West next year, regardless of whether they keep the majority of their rotation together or not.
It’s a one-year deal for Baker, and the Astros will be in the mix with him leading the charge. He’s one of the best Managers in the league, having won multiple pennants in his career and a three-time Manager of the Year.
Besides, the Astros also haven’t given up on bringing back Carlos Correa.
Crane on Correa: “We’re going to give him something we think fits into our formula and hope it fits into his formula.”
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 5, 2021
There’s still a real possibility that the Astros will have a very talented roster next year. A talented roster plus one of the best Managers in baseball is a deadly combination.
Angels shouldn't blow their payroll on Freeman. Next
It goes to show that the Angels still need to hit this offseason as hard as they possibly can, and not be content with their current core getting healthier. There are many more moves to be made for this club if they want to climb all the way to the top of the division next year. And that needs to be the expectation for this front office, period.