How latest statement from Astros GM shows Brown bringing ‘Brave’ influence to H-town
SIGN US UP!
10 February 2023
Kyle Tucker has been a big topic of conversation this week as he went to salary arbitration looking for $7.5 million, with the Astros offering $5 million. The Astros won the arbitration and Tucker will make $5 million this year.
While we don't see a long-term extension coming for Tucker right away, Astros GM Dana Brown's history tells us he may try to sign a younger player like Cristian Javier or Jeremy Pena to an extension. The Braves, Brown's former organization, did exactly that when they recently signed Braves rookies Michael Harris II (8-years, $72 million) and Spencer Strider (6-years, 75 million).
Also, with this in mind, will the philosophies Brown learned in Atlanta influence Jim Crane to handle contracts differently? And if so, can anything be learned from Braves' Austin Riley's 10-year, $212 million deal? He's only one year younger than Tucker. Is a lengthy deal completely off the table for Tucker and the Astros, or could we see Crane adapt to how the Braves do business?
On Thursday, Brown met with the media, and the timing couldn't have been better for this video. He gave us some legit hope that the Astros are working on these extensions. It looks like Brown is already influencing the way Crane does business.
Dana Brown made it pretty clear today that the Astros are exploring a number of contract extensions with their younger, arbitration eligible players. Asked if Jim Crane’s aversion to long-term deals could change, Brown replied “I told him ‘Fasten your seatbelt. It’s time.’”
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 9, 2023
Be sure to check out the video above as we break it all down!
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe on YouTube for our latest content.
Listen to The Bench with John Granato and Lance Zierlein weekdays from 7-10AM on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5!
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
