3 key Q's for Astros to answer this spring

This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart's Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

HOUSTON -- The longest offseason for the Astros in a decade will end this week when pitchers and catchers work out collectively for the first time on Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Astros said goodbye to four key members of their 2022 World Series championship club and welcome some new faces, including Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes on the infield.

After advancing to the American League Championship Series in seven consecutive seasons (2017-23), the Astros¡¯ ¡¯24 postseason was over before it began. The won the AL West against but were swept in two games by the Tigers in the AL Wild Card Series, setting up an offseason of transition. They traded Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly to the Cubs and appear to have moved on from third baseman Alex Bregman, who was a staple in their lineup during each run to the ALCS.

As the Astros get set to hit the field under the Florida sun this week, here are three storylines to watch as Spring Training ramps up:

Do the Astros have enough depth?

After losing four key members of their 2022 World Series championship team this winter -- Tucker, Pressly, Bregman and starting pitcher Justin Verlander -- the Astros' depth will be tested in ¡¯25. The lineup, anchored by Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, Walker, Paredes and Yainer Diaz, is strong at the top, but questions remain about outfield production.

Left-hander Framber Valdez and right-hander Hunter Brown, who emerged last year as an ace-level starter, are a solid 1-2 at the top of the rotation, but the club needs Ronel Blanco to repeat his ¡®24 performance, Spencer Arrighetti to take a step forward and newcomer Hayden Wesneski to settle into a full-time starter role. The bullpen lacks experienced depth after closer Josh Hader and setup man Bryan Abreu, so the Astros will be relying on Taylor Scott (4.94 ERA in 68 2/3 innings last year), Shawn Dubin, Bryan King and Forrest Whitley, among others, to pick up some key innings.

Will Jose Altuve really play left field?

Altuve, the nine-time All-Star second baseman and franchise icon, spent a couple of weeks fielding fly balls in left field at Daikin Park in the weeks leading up to Spring Training in anticipation of moving to the outfield this year, at least maybe part time. Altuve said he was willing to make the move if the team was going to re-sign Bregman, which now appears like a longshot.

Still, the Astros appear motivated to at least expose Altuve to left field this spring, which should be interesting. Houston wants to limit how many innings Alvarez plays in left field this year, so Altuve could fill that void on occasion. The Astros traded for Paredes to play third base, but he could shift to second if Altuve finds a home in left. That would open a hole a third, where Mauricio Dub¨®n and prospect Zach Dezenzo could split time. Stay tuned.

Which starting pitchers will emerge?

Houston¡¯s five-man rotation is set, barring injuries: Valdez, Brown, Blanco, Arrighetti and Wesneski. But then what? The Astros used 12 pitchers last year and said goodbye to Verlander and Yusei Kikuchi in free agency, so there should be plenty of opportunity for someone to begin making a case for the rotation this spring.

Lefty Colton Gordon, the Astros¡¯ No. 12-ranked prospect in 2024, was added to the 40-man roster in November and will be under the microscope this spring. Ryan Gusto, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, went 8-6 with a 3.70 ERA in 29 games (26 starts) last year at Triple-A Sugar Land and is a favorite of general manager Dana Brown. The Astros¡¯ best bet would be getting healthy. Unfortunately for them, Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. won¡¯t be ready for Opening Day, and Cristian Javier won¡¯t return until after the All-Star break.