Part 3/9:
In evaluating the reasons behind their decline, the most prominent factor remains the erosion of talent. The Astros had a well-deserved reputation for their strong develop-and-keep strategy, which relied heavily on homegrown talent. Jose Altuve, the longest-tenured Astro and a potential Hall of Famer, remains a vital part of the team; however, the departure of other key players has led to a significant talent gap. While decisions regarding players like George Springer may have seemed justified—especially when considering his post-Astros success with the Blue Jays—the impact of the loss of players like Carlos Correa cannot be understated.