What Went Wrong with Jesús Sánchez?
The power of friendship just wasn't enough
When the Astros acquired Jesús Sánchez at the 2025 trade deadline, the goal was straightforward: add a left-handed power bat to fill the void left by Yordan Alvarez’s injury. Sánchez didn’t spend time on the bench. He stepped into the lineup and played 135 games across the outfield.
But consistent playing time didn’t lead to consistent production. Sánchez finished the season hitting .249/.313/.407 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs over 349 at-bats. His weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) with Houston hovered around 69, well below what’s expected for an everyday player and noticeably behind teammates like Yordan Alvarez and Cam Smith, who posted wRC+ marks over 110.
Upon closer examination, his raw power was absolute. He posted an average exit velocity of 91.3 miles per hour and a hard-hit rate north of 43%. Still, there was a disconnect between the quality of the contact and the results. His expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) sat at .333, higher than his actual .304 wOBA, showing he didn’t always turn solid contact into positive outcomes. Plate discipline was also a problem. Sánchez chased pitches out of the strike zone more than average and struck out about 22 per cent of the time. That limited his ability to sustain rallies and consistently produce runs.
He especially struggled against left-handed pitching, with a career slash line of .201/.235/.324. That limited his usefulness in key matchups. Meanwhile, Houston’s outfield was crowded. Yordan Alvarez returned healthy to the designated hitter spot, Cam Smith anchored right field, and there was talk of Jose Altuve moving to left field, squeezing Sánchez’s chances for regular playing time.
Financial considerations added to the pressure. Houston’s payroll for 2026 already topped $159 million before factoring in Sánchez’s arbitration raise. With significant holes to fill, most notably starting pitching and catching, it made little sense to invest further in a player who struggled daily.
The Astros missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Sánchez’s inconsistent offence played a role. Trade interest has been low, and the expectation is that Houston will non-tender him this offseason. Clearing salary and a roster spot will be priorities for the club as they regroup.
Sánchez’s 2025 season shows a harsh truth: talent means little if it doesn’t produce on the field. For a franchise built on sustained success, this was a reminder.
Now, Houston turns to an offseason that promises to be eventful, and rumours of front office changes are all over the interwebs. Big decisions loom if the Astros hope to get back to championship form.