After the Winter Meetings, it seemed like the Houston Astros’ front office was content with their signing of a backup catcher and making a trade for a reliever this offseason. They would head into 2024 with more reliance on some younger pieces as well.

Owner Jim Crane wants to stay under the tax threshold and general manager Dana Brown seemed willing to work with that in his first full offseason in charge.

Well, things might change after their instate and division rival, Texas Rangers, signed a starting pitcher.

“Right-handed starter Tyler Mahle and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a two-year, $22 million contract, sources told ESPN,” according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

How content are the Astros going to be now?

This has forced them to sit back and watch as other teams have loaded up on talent across Major League Baseball.

Perhaps this still doesn’t make things hot within the Astros’ organization. After all, no money can be spent if Crane isn’t willing to give it out, so even if Brown started feeling some pressure, it would be up to Crane to give the green light.

But, maybe this move has Crane feeling squirmy.

Houston has been the marquee franchise in the state the past decade, constantly crushing Texas.

Now? Well, the Rangers are coming off a World Series championship, are really good and could steal much of that spotlight away from what the Astros have built in recent years.