The Houston Astros don't have many outgoing free agents, with Framber Valdez being by far the most notable player departing the Astros roster this winter.
But there are a few others, despite not drawing the same attention as Valdez. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, one former Astros veteran is signing a one-year deal.
However, that player, Cooper Hummel, isn't signing with another MLB club. He's signing overseas with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in the NPB, taking his talents to Japan for the 2026 season.
Former Astros outfielder signs one-year deal with NPB's BayStars
"Outfielder Cooper Hummel has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars that includes a club option for 2027, source says," Morosi reports. "Hummel, 31, had 104 plate appearances with the Astros this year."
The Astros are losing a free agent this winter, but not to another MLB club. Hummel made 104 plate appearances for the Astros across 36 games in 2025.
He played in one game with the Baltimore Orioles in 2025 before joining the Astros, and while the 30-year-old didn't spend a long time with Houston - just 42 games across the last few years, it's the team he's played the second most games with of his four clubs.
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Hummel broke into the Majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022, playing in 66 games, later joining the Seattle Mariners in 2023 for 10 games and finding his way to Houston for six in 2024.
During his limited time in Houston, he hit.172 with a.577 OPS. Across 104 plate appearances, he had 15 hits, 10 runs scored, three home runs, no doubles or triples, seven RBIs, one stolen base, 14 walks, and 30 strikeouts.
Now 31 years old, Hummel makes the trip overseas to Japan to join the BayStars for the 2026 season. If all goes well, he could stay for another year with his option, or return to the Major Leagues like many others before him.
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