EVERY-THING SPORTS
Examining 3 teams that could make blockbuster trades sooner rather than later
Jul 21, 2021, 1:10 pm
EVERY-THING SPORTS
Lately, it seems as if Houston sports teams are on the brink of making moves, possibly on the verge of doing so, or maybe even needing to do so. The Texans are a team that feel like they need to do so. The Rockets are a team that feel like they're on the verge of doing so. The Astros are the team on the brink of doing so, especially considering general manager James Click's comments about potentially going way beyond the luxury tax.
Texans
The Texans seem like they need to make some trades. The Deshaun Watson saga isn't coming to an end any time soon. He's their most tradable asset, but is in limbo due to the ongoing investigations in his civil suits. While rumors of a potential settlement and finite resolution to his situation persist, it doesn't seem likely. However, the Texans should keep the lines of communication open. Watson will eventually be available, should his legal woes be straightened out, and the team would be wise to have deals in place the moment he's considered clear. There are teams like the Rams who just lost their starting running back for the season, and the Texans have a surplus at that position. Their offensive line has been built up and teams could always use depth there.
Rockets
With the number two overall pick in the upcoming draft, as well as two other picks later in the first round, the Rockets are poised to help start rebuilding their team. Although they have some undesirable contracts (John Wall and Eric Gordon to be specific), the rumors of them making several moves have not stopped. Wall to the Clippers and Gordon to the Pacers are two moves that have been rumored, as well as rumors about possibly moving up to number one overall. If they can rid themselves of Wall and Gordon's contracts, I'm all for it, but only if they can get expiring contracts and/or young talent in return. Keeping the number two overall pick and making a selection there is more ideal than trading it. This draft is very top heavy. Any the draft could contain some diamonds in the rough, so keeping and/or acquiring more picks would be ideal. The more darts you have to throw, the better your chances are of hitting a bullseye.
Astros
The Astros are the team that will, or should, be the most likely to make a big move. When Click came out and said the team is willing to go above and beyond the luxury tax, I was intrigued. If you listened to ESPN Houston's The Blitz last Friday, Patrick Creighton did a great job of explaining why going way over the tax was a good idea because of the way it's structured. The team is in need of a frontline starter, bullpen help, and possibly another bat. I wrote last week about the team's wish list for the second half of the season. The time is now to empty the clip at any and all trades that could potentially net you another World Series.
While the Texans and Rockets need to make moves in order to rebuild and climb back into contention at some point, the Astros are contenders and need to make moves to keep the window open. Another World Series, particularly this season, would piss in the cereal of all the Astro haters who still can't get over the sign stealing scandal. While I hope all three teams will make the right moves, I only trust the Astros to do so. The Texans and Rockets are too incompetent at the decision-making positions. A broken clock is right two times a day. Here's to hoping the Texans and Rockets both strike on those rare times the broken clock is right, and the Astros keep on ticking.
Michael Wacha scattered four hits over six innings, Vinnie Pasquantino homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Houston Astros 2-0 for the second straight night Saturday to run their winning streak to six.
Wacha (1-3) once again received little run support, but the veteran right-hander made the meager production stand up on chilly evening at Kauffman Stadium. He struck out six while walking two and never allowed a runner past second base.
Steven Cruz worked the seventh for Kansas City, his seventh appearance this season without allowing a run. John Schreiber left runners on the corners in the eighth, and Carlos Estévez had a perfect ninth for his seventh save.
Bobby Witt Jr. doubled and scored in the first inning for the Royals, extending his career-best hitting streak to 18 games.
Framber Valdez (1-3) gave up a sacrifice fly to Mark Canha in the first inning and Pasquantino's shot down the right-field line in the fifth. Otherwise, the Astros left-hander kept Kansas City in check, allowing three hits and two walks over eight innings.
Valdez had tossed seven shutout innings against the Royals last August in a 3-2 victory.
The Astros, who have lost five straight at the K, have managed just nine hits while getting shut out over the first two games of the series. They had rolled into Kansas City having won three straight and five of their last six games.
Isaac Parades hit a two-out double and Jeremy Peña followed with a single to give Houston runners on the corners in the eighth inning. Schreiber bounced back to strike out Christian Walker with a four-seam fastball to end the threat.
The Royals have only scored seven runs in the 32 innings that Wacha has pitched this season.
RHP Hunter Brown (3-1, 1.16) tries to extend a 24-inning scoreless streak for Houston in the series finale Sunday. LHP Kris Bubic (2-1, 1.45) gets the start for Kansas City after tossing seven shutout innings against the Rockies his last time out.