Astros outfielder Chas McCormick has cleared waivers and rejected an outright assignment in favor of free agency, reports Chandler Rome of The Athletic. McCormick and four other Astros had been placed on outright waivers earlier this week. With more than three years of MLB service time, McCormick had the right to reject the assignment.
MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz had McCormick projected to get $3.4MM in arbitration next season. While that projected salary may have been too high to entice suitors as a waiver claim, teams can now pursue McCormick as a bounce-back candidate at a cheaper price. The 30-year-old is under team control through the 2027 season and was quite productive in the not-too-distant past.
McCormick debuted in 2021 and immediately emerged as a steady producer for Houston. He popped 14 home runs in just 320 plate appearances as a rookie, while providing strong defense. McCormick took a step forward in terms of plate discipline the following season, cutting his strikeout rate by 6.5% and bumping his walk rate to an elite 11.3%. His power numbers took a step back, but the improved contact skills made up for it. The 2023 campaign was McCormick’s breakout year. He fell a stolen base shy of a 20/20 season, slashing .273/.353/.489 over a career-high 457 plate appearances.
Injuries limited McCormick to 267 plate appearances in 2024, and he struggled mightily when healthy. McCormick’s wRC+ was more than cut in half compared to 2023, falling from 132 to 65. He continued to scuffle in 2025, slashing .210/.279/.290 in 66 games. An oblique injury cost him a month of action. McCormick was demoted in September and finished the season at Triple-A Sugar Land.
Houston will have Yordan Alvarez and Cam Smith holding down the corner outfield spots in 2026. Center field is a bit of a question mark, though prospect Zach Cole held his own in his brief debut. Jake Meyers was also having a solid season before a calf injury derailed him.
