HOUSTON -- With more than 300 regular-season wins in three years, the Houston Astros have flirted with dynastic status -- or the closest thing we'll get to it in 21st-century baseball. Despite a crushing loss in Game 7 of the World Series, their contention window remains wide open. On the field, at least, there has never been a better time to be an Astro.
Still, no team heads into the offseason free of pesky questions. The irony for great teams is that their dilemmas are more interesting than the dilemmas of other teams because their players are better and inherently more compelling. They have every reason to be contented, but worrisome topics are always peering around the corner.
So it goes for the American League-champion Astros. Here's a sneak peek at some of the key questions Houston will confront during the hot stove season that just began.