The Houston Astros head into the MLB Winter Meetings ready to add to a team that made major strides in 2014. Astros owner Jim Crane has stated that the payroll will be going up, so the Astros are arriving in San Diego with money to 
spend. GM Jeff Luhnow will be in a different position in previous years when the Astros were in a massive rebuild, as now he has some cornerstones to build around as the Astros position themselves to challenge in the AL West in the coming years.
Here are three things to look out for regarding the Astros & what they may do this week at baseball’s annual bazaar …
Bullpen help
The Astros have been rumored with every top name reliever on the market, looking to help a bullpen that was the worst in baseball with a 4.80 ERA. After witnessing the Royals 
earn a World Series berth with a blistering bullpen, the rest of baseball has taken notice & the Astros are no exception.
The Astros were heavily involved in the Andrew Miller chase, apparently offering him a 4-year, $40 million deal before he decided to sign with the Yankees. The Astros are still rumored to be after such big name relievers on the free agent market like David Robertson, Sergio Romo & Luke Gregerson, so all eyes will be watching to see if they add at least one big name reliever or maybe even two, whether through free agency or a trade.
The catching situation
The Astros have a surplus of catchers with Jason Castro, Hank Conger, Carlos Corporan, and Max Stassi all occupying 40 man roster spots, so logic dictates at least one will be 
traded. Castro is coming off a subpar season with a .222 average & 14 HRs, but he would still have the most value in a trade. Therefore, it would not be shocking to see the Astros part ways with their starting C, especially since he is only going to be earning more in his arbitration years.
Corporan was also rumored to be in a potential deal to Detroit that fell through earlier in the offseason, so how this will shake out & who will remain with the club is still a question mark.
Fowler staying or going
The baseball rumor mill is non-stop around this time of year, and outfielder Dexter Fowler’s name keeps popping up 
more than ads on YouTube. The Astros acquired Fowler last offseason from the Rockies, and he gave them a solid veteran presence in the outfield while delivering a .276 average with a .375 OBP. However, he is in the final year of his contract, so the Astros may want to deal him before he hits free agency if he is not in their long-term contractual plans.
Luhnow has said previously the Astros might also ride out the final year of his contract & then make a qualifying offer for a draft pick, in the event they want Fowler for the 2015 season & decide not deal him to another club. So it will be worth watching to see what happens with Fowler & the Astros OF situation.
Of course, these are three things to keep an eye on as the Astros do their holiday shopping, but it is baseball’s Winter Meetings – expect the unexpected!
