TRADE DEADLINE
5 exciting trade targets for Astros with deadline approaching
Jul 26, 2021, 6:57 pm
Craig Kimbrel would be a welcomed addition to the bullpen. Composite image by Jack Brame.
After completing a sweep of their division rivals Texas Rangers, the Houston Astros currently sit atop the American League West standings and are tied with the Boston Red Sox for the best record in the American League.
As Friday's trade deadline approaches, Houston will be looking to make some moves. They have been said to have interest in outfielders, relief and starting pitchers.
Here are five potential players the Astros could trade for before the deadline.
Craig Kimbel appears to be the most coveted relief pitcher on the trade market, and the Astros have been linked to him for a couple of weeks now.
After signing with the Cubs in late 2019, Kimbrel has struggled to say the least.
The closer's ERA over the past two seasons leaves something to be desired, posting a 6.53 in 2019 and a 5.28 during the 60-game 2020 season.
This year, Kimbrel has returned to his All-Star form with a 0.50 ERA. He is tied for third in the majors with 23 saves, along with St. Louis Cardinals closer Alex Reyes.
The Astros don't necessarily need a closer, as Ryan Pressly has preformed admirably this season, which earned an All-Star nomination. However, they could use some help in the 7th and 8th innings.
In 2019 Pressly was acquired to become the setup man. He was thrust into closing duties during the 2020 season because of Roberto Osuna's season ending injury. Theoretically, if Kimbrel were to be acquired by the Astros, he could become the new closer and Pressly could return to his 8th inning role. Houston could have a dynamic bullpen with both relievers pitching important innings on their way to another playoff run.
Max Schezer has been linked to the Astros, albeit with some hesitancy by the club. The 36-year-old has not pitched since July 18th and is dealing with tricep discomfort.
That being said, any contending team would love to have a World Series champion pitcher to bolster their rotation. The Mets, Dodgers, Rays, and Mariners have all been linked to the former Cy-Young Award winner, in addition to the Astros.
Houston has been hesitant to acquire Scherzer due the aforementioned injury issues, but also what the price would be to get him. He's an unrestricted free agent after the end of the season and is looking for one last big payday. Scherzer's agent Scott Boras made it very clear that Scherzer would not waive his no-trade clause unless his new team offered him a multi-year extension.
The Nationals don't want to give up their ace for nothing, so it may be hard to acquire Scherzer before the deadline without mortgaging the future and giving him a Verlander-esque extension.
If Scherzer is a no-go for Houston, they should look to add Jose Berrios. Although he has not been linked to Astros thus far, Berrios could add some pitching depth. The 27-year-old figures to be wildly popular on the trade market since he's under team control for 2022. He ranks ninth in MLB with 121 2/3 innings pitched and is sporting a 3.48 ERA as well.
Due to his control for next season, the Twins might ask for the moon for their All-Star caliber pitcher. If he could be acquired for only a few prospects and one of Houston's bullpen arms, the Astros could be in line to bolster their already great rotation.
Starling Marte was mentioned to be on the Astros radar last week. Talks have died down since, but adding the Marlins center fielder wouldn't be a bad addition by any means. Marte is hitting .423 over his last seven games with 11 hits as well. He could be an upgrade in center field and could move Myles Straw and Chas McCormick to the bench. Marte isn't a need for the Astros necessarily, but his addition could improve the teams' production both on the field and at the plate.
Byron Buxton could be another interesting name to watch out for as the trade deadline approaches. The Twins and Buxton were unable to reach a deal on a contract extension. Thus, increasing the likelihood of the center fielder getting traded before Friday.
Minnesota already traded Nelson Cruz to the Rays, so the fire sale appears to be underway.
This is shaping up to be an exciting trade deadline for Houston fans. Don't be surprised if the Astros make multiple moves before the deadline passes on Friday.
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NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.