[HenriS218]

Now let's get into the real offseason action!

November 5: Edwin Diaz wins AL Reliever of the Year Award

Edwin Diaz was unanimously voted as the American League Reliever of the Year. This is the fifth time he's won the award, last earning it for the Mets in 2026. In nearly 100 innings, he put up a 2.21 ERA and struck out 164 batters. Even more impressive is his 1.34 FIP and 4.1 WAR, both leading the MLB among relievers. He was one more year guaranteed with the Astros and a $16 million player option for 2030.

November 6: Two Astros win Silver Sluggers

Ryan Clifford won the Silver Slugger at first base in only his second year in the league. He mashed 34 homers and tallied 104 RBI, with a .284/.350/536 slash line and 3.4 WAR. The 25-year-old slugger has won the award for the first time, and many believe that more bright things are coming for him. He's another decent prospect who skyrocketed up the rankings with my massive development budget. I may try to extend him somewhat soon while the price is still pretty low.

Juan Soto won the Silver Slugger at left field in his age-29 season. The generational talent has won the award eight times so far in his career, and three times since joining the Astros in 2025. While he only tallied 25 homers and 79 RBI from the second spot in the lineup, his walk rate was above 20% once again. His .401 on-base percentage led the league for the third time in the last four seasons, and his 132 OPS+ is still elite, despite a decline from some of his previous years.

November 10: Three Astros earn MVP votes

First baseman Ryan Clifford placed 7th in MVP voting with 84 points. Center fielder Jackson Chourio placed 15th in MVP voting with 14 points. Second baseman Cristian Gonzalez placed 18th in MVP voting with 10 points.

November 19: Free Agents File

I'm looking for a pretty good starter either on the market or through trade. I have $27 million available, so I should have a good shot at one or two good pieces.

Some of my best options are:
Spencer Strider (30) - $30.7 million (best on the market, but out of my budget unless I can trade off some money)
Walker Buehler (34) - $27.5 million
Cristian Javier (31) - $15 million (missed most of 2027 and all of 2028 with elbow ligament reconstruction)
Matt Canterino (30) - $1.7 million (I might target him since he's way cheaper than most but has pretty good ratings. I do need to scout him more cause his OSA ratings aren't great and my accuracy is low on him)
Max Fried (34) - $23.2 million
Ranger Suarez (33) - $18 million
Michael Kopech (32) - $16 million (former Astro would be nice, but his injury proneness is fragile)
Max Meyer (29) - $1.7 million (Wow he looks really good! His rating is only 45 cause of low stamina, but everything else is great and my bullpen could pick up those late innings for him)
Clarke Schmidt (32) - $13.3 million (fragile injury proneness)
Chase Silseth (28) - $4.64 million