Astros GM said his team can 'go the distance' this year

Alec Brzezinski

Astros GM said his team can 'go the distance' this year image

The Astros were tantalizingly close last postseason. Or at least another step in that direction.

Houston entered the eighth inning of Game 4 of the ALDS with a 6-2 lead against the Royals and just two innings from the ALCS. Then the bullpen collapsed, allowing five runs without recording an out in the eighth inning.

The Royals went on to win the game, the series, the ALCS and the World Series, but Astros fans will remember how close they were.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow remembers, which is why he thinks his team could take that next step this season.

"This team is built to go the distance this year," Luhnow said Thursday via MLB.com.

Luhnow made the proclamation having just signed veteran starting pitcher Doug Fister to a one-year, $7 million contract.

"He fits our team in a lot of ways," Luhnow said of Fister. "We've got a chance to provide an environment that allows him to succeed and get back to his 2014 form. He provides leadership for a pretty young group of players.

"We feel good about the person that we're getting as well as the pitcher that we're getting. There were other options out there, and we feel good about this being the piece that makes the Astros the strongest for 2016."

It's true, Houston has a lot of talent. The outfield trio of Colby Rasmus, Carlos Gomez and George Springer is dangerous. The Astros also have a great young middle infield duo in Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa and 2015 AL Cy Young award pitcher in Dallas Keuchel. The Astros also strengthened their bullpen by trading for closer Ken Giles and re-signing Tony Sipp.

Yet, it's too early to agree with Luhnow with so many other teams making moves to improve themselves this offseason. But Houston is definitely headed in the right direction.

Alec Brzezinski