Tatsuya Imai electrifies Houston as he’s welcomed to the Astros, instantly connecting with fans at a Texans game and signaling a new era for international talent in MLB. Eric Huysman and Brett Chancey spotlight Imai’s impact, the buzz around his upcoming press conference, and how his arrival is already drawing new Japanese followers to the Astros brand.

The hosts tackle Houston’s infield logjam: Can the Astros keep Isak Paredes, Christian Walker, and their core hitters happy with playing time? Ryan from Locked On Mets shares trade possibilities, including moves involving Christian Walker and potential pitching returns from New York. The crew debates Jose Altuve’s untouchable status, the consequences of previous deals like Carlos Correa’s signing, and tough choices facing GM Dana Brown. Don’t miss this strategic breakdown of the Astros’ roster crunch and what it means for their playoff ambitions.
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Locked On Astros is your daily Houston Astros podcast, hosted by Eric Huysman and Brett Chancey. As part of the Locked On Podcast Network, we bring you the latest Astros news, in-depth game analysis, player updates, and exclusive insights — every single weekday.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual listener, stay connected with everything happening in Astros baseball. Tune in on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, never to miss an episode.
🎧 Subscribe today and make Locked On Astros part of your daily routine — perfect for your commute, workout, or coffee break.
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Happy New Year, the Astros swing big and land a HUGE ARM! He turned down other clubs with a longer deal. The Astros are playing with the BIG BOYS NOW!

Houston Astros shake up MLB free agency by landing Japanese star pitcher Tatsuya Imai, signaling an all-in push for the AL West crown. Can this bold international signing ignite another World Series run? Eric Huysman and Brett Chancey break down Imai’s high-velocity arsenal, his head-to-head win over Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and his record-breaking feats in Japan—including surpassing Daisuke Matsuzaka’s strikeout mark and throwing eight innings of no-hit ball after a minor league stint.

Key topics include contract details with player opt-outs, the Astros’ revamped pitching depth with Hunter Brown, Christian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti, and more—plus the rare move into the Japanese market by GM Dana Brown and Jim Crane. The hosts examine the ripple effects on rotation strategy, backup catcher needs, and what this means for Justin Verlander’s potential return. Get ready for a fiery discussion on Houston’s playoff outlook and the evolving identity of the Astros.

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The Houston Astros enter 2026 with one goal: retake the AL West. But after a season plagued by record-setting injuries, poor plate discipline, baserunning mistakes, and inconsistency with runners on base, the Astros have major questions to answer.

In this New Year’s Resolution episode of Locked On Astros, we break down the 8 resolutions the Astros must keep to get back on top:
• Why injury prevention is the single most important priority
• How improved plate discipline and strike-zone control can fix the offense
• Why Isaac must be the model of patience at the plate
• The need for leadership from Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve
• Which young arms (Cole, Smith, Ullola, Blubaugh) must step up
• How the Astros can replace Framber Valdez’s innings by committee
• Fixing baserunning mistakes that cost games
• And why hitting with runners on base will define this season

The talent is still there—but execution, health, and accountability will determine whether the Astros reclaim their spot atop the AL West or face another frustrating year.

🎧 Subscribe for daily Astros coverage with Locked On Astros—your team, every day.

Join the Everydayer Club lockedonastros.supercast.com
Locked On Astros is your daily Houston Astros podcast, hosted by Eric Huysman and Brett Chancey. As part of the Locked On Podcast Network, we bring you the latest Astros news, in-depth game analysis, player updates, and exclusive insights — every single weekday.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual listener, stay connected with everything happening in Astros baseball. Tune in on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, never to miss an episode.
🎧 Subscribe today and make Locked On Astros part of your daily routine — perfect for your commute, workout, or coffee break.
📺 We’re growing fast on YouTube — help us reach 20,000 subscribers by subscribing now and joining the best Houston Astros community online!
/ @lockedonastros
https://linktr.ee/LockedOnAstros
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOAstros?sid=Y...
Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnMLB
#Astros #HoustonAstros #MLB
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Rugiet
Ready to level up your confidence ? Head to https://rugiet.com and use promo code LOCKEDONMLB for 15% off your first order.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONMLB at https://monarchmoney.com/lockedonmlb for 50% off your first year.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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