Houston Astros new GM just realized the stakes have changed
THE LANDSCAPE SHIFTED
10 March 2023
Houston Astros GM Dana Brown shared an update on how the contract negotiations have been going with Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez.
Unfortunately for Astros fans, it doesn't look like any extensions are likely to happen before the start of the season. Brown pointed to the length of the contracts as being one of the big concerns holding up any potential deals.
Which is interesting because Brown is well-known for telling owner Jim Crane, “Fasten your seatbelt. It's time.” when it comes to the Astros aversion to long-term deals. And to Brown's credit, he did sign Cristian Javier to an extension this offseason, but that deal is for only five years.
Brown is now saying that he doesn't believe in long-term deals, and it sure seems like Tucker is looking for a 10-year contract. So what changed? Brown told the media he's open to going as long as seven years, but not further than that. Did Jim Crane influence Brown's new outlook on these long-term deals, or has seven years always been a length Brown is unwilling to cross?
Dana Brown: “I just don’t know that I have the comfort of going as long as, say, maybe I’ll have to to get Tucker done. I just don’t like big deals. If they’re open for something a little more than five, maybe I would be open to doing that." - https://t.co/O8zFKCTc3p
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 8, 2023
When asked about the 8 and 10-year contracts the Braves have handed out (Brown's former organization), Brown basically said those deals were made by his boss, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos.
So what does this mean moving forward?
Be sure to check out the video above as we examine Brown's comments, and share our thoughts on how these deals for Framber and Tucker may or may not play out.
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Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and Jeremy Peña homered and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-1 on Wednesday.
Houston earned just its second victory in seven games to snap Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak and leave both teams with .500 records. The Brewers were attempting to sweep a series from the Astros for the first time since 2012.
The Astros led 3-1 before Peña broke the game open by delivering a three-run homer to left off reliever Elvin Rodriguez with two outs in the sixth inning.
JP3-run bomb. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/En0XXWdlt0
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Valdez (2-4) struck out seven while allowing three hits, two walks and one run to earn his first win since the Astros’ March 27 season opener. He threw a season-high 101 pitches.
The Framchise is all business.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/J8EGGDk5gl
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Milwaukee’s only run off Valdez came on Eric Haase’s fifth-inning homer, a 425-foot drive to center.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead off Quinn Priester (1-1) in the second inning as Jake Meyers hit a two-out single and scored on Zach Dezenzo’s double.
RBI double for Zach gets us on the board early! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/AilCY27A9d
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The Brewers have lost all 13 games this season in which their opponent scored first.
Five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader worked the ninth while pitching in Milwaukee for the first time since the Brewers traded him in 2022.
Key moment
The Astros led 1-0 and had runners on third and second with one out in the fifth when Peña hit a bouncer to third.
Safe all day. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/OVjcvev7cM
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The throw home beat Dezenzo to the plate. Home plate umpire Chris Conroy initially ruled Dezenzo out, but the Astros challenged the call and replays showed the runner slid home ahead of Haase’s tag.
Key stat
Valdez has now pitched at least seven innings an MLB-leading 57 times since 2020.
Up next
The Astros host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Scheduled pitchers are right-hander Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67) for the Astros and right-hander Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.19) for the Reds.
The Brewers visit the Tampa Bay Ray on Friday. Left-hander José Quintana (4-1, 2.83) will pitch for the Brewers.
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