Any one of Bell, Rizzo, or Abreu would be a great fit for Houston’s lineup and clubhouse. Those 3 are pretty far separated from all the other available 1B options, whether trade, free agent, or internal. Yandy Diaz would be the only trade target I think could be as good as those 3. If they aren’t going to go get one of those 4 guys, I just as soon they roll with some combo of Matijevic, Yainer Diaz, and Hensley at 1B and bring back Yuli on a cheap one year as a bench bat/insurance. But I do expect Houston to sign one of the big 3 free agent 1B.
Don't count Verlander out. I think Crane likes him enough that if he circles back after shopping around, the last offer will still be valid even if it means going over the tax threshold. Odds have certainly gone down since the end of the season but it’s not over with him until he officially signs elsewhere. Good news is Houston will be just fine either way.
The next 2 seasons should be the most talented rosters Houston has ever fielded.