TRADING IN THEIR CARR?
How Derek Carr could open the door to a Watson departure for Texans
Feb 3, 2021, 10:06 am
The Raiders are rumored to covet Deshaun Watson. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.
The Deshaun Watson sweepstakes may conclude with the largest trade in NFL history. On the latest episode of Locked On Texans, NFL National Insider Ian Rapoport reported that 25 teams have their sights on making a move for Watson — one of which is the Las Vegas Raiders.
Multiple @NFL sources indicate to me that Derek Carr is a hot commodity. And it is expected that multiple teams will pursue him via trade That could lead to the @Raiders pursuing Deshaun Watson in a blockbuster trade. My story:https://t.co/rnxHJK9KC0
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) February 3, 2021
According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders are exploring options for quarterback Derek Carr that could result in a three-team deal that would send Deshaun Watson to Las Vegas. The Raiders will try to obtain two first-round picks that they will send to Houston.
In 2020, Carr may have had his best career season. He threw for a career-best 4,103 passing yards and ended the year with a 27-9 touchdown to interception ratio. His best game of the season came during a Week 5 40-32 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. In the win, Carr threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns. The Raiders ended the season with an 8-8 record — barely missing the playoffs.
While a potential deal to send Watson to the Raiders may come with a plethora of draft picks, Las Vegas may not receive two first-rounders in-exchange for Carr. First and foremost, the Raiders do not own a top-10 pick in this year's draft. In fact, their first selection does not come until pick No. 17. Las Vegas can trade into the top-10 given the number of teams in search of a quarterback. But most of the teams like the Jaguars, Jets and Panthers have their eyes set on Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields and Trey Lance — not Carr.
This NFL offseason may see several top quarterbacks on the move. And for a team that needs a guy under center, there are several moves that a team can make to upgrade at a cheaper cost. However, if the Raiders downgrade their asking price for Carr to a first and second-round pick, then maybe this is a rumor Texan fans might want to keep an eye on.
During the Texans' introductory press conference for new head coach David Culley on Friday, general manager Nick Caserio said they have "zero interest" in trading a disgruntled Watson.
"So organizationally, just want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson. He's had a great impact on this organization, a great impact on a lot of people, a great impact on this team, and we look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring once we get started. And we have zero interest in trading the player." — Caserio
Coty M. Davis is a reporter for ESPN 97.5 Houston/SportsMap covering the Houston Texans. He is also the co-host of Locked On Texans, a part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Follow Coty on Twitter @CotyDavis_24.
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Jose Altuve homered twice and drove in a season-high four runs and Jeremy Peña tripled for his 500th career hit to help the Houston Astros to a 9-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.
It was tied with two outs in the fourth when Jake Meyers singled off George Kirby (0-1) before Cam Smith walked. Mauricio Dubón’s single on a grounder to right field scored Meyers to put Houston on top 3-2.
Peña then sent two more home with his triple off the wall in left-center to make it 5-2 and chase Kirby.
Altuve’s solo shot came with no outs in the fifth to push the lead to 6-2. He connected again with one on and two outs in the sixth to make it 8-2 and give him his 12th career multihomer game.
Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. allowed five hits and two runs with a season-high eight strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings in his longest start this season. Shawn Dubin (1-0) got the last two outs of the fifth for the win.
Kirby allowed six hits and five runs with four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings in his season debut after sitting out with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.
Seattle played without Julio Rodríguez after the center fielder was scratched from the lineup about 30 minutes before the first pitch. Manager Dan Wilson said Rodríguez had back tightness and is day to day with the issue.
Dylan Moore homered and Rowdy Tellez had two hits and an RBI on a night the AL West-leading Mariners went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
Tellez gave the Mariners an early lead with an RBI single with two outs in the first. Seattle made it 2-0 when Moore homered to open the second inning.
Altuve hit a sacrifice fly to tie it in Houston’s two-run second.
Key moment
Peña’s triple in the fourth padded the Astros' lead and ended Kirby’s night.
Key stat
Peña is the fifth player in franchise history to reach 500 hits while playing shortstop, joining Roger Metzger (839), Carlos Correa (778), Craig Reynolds (767) and Adam Everett (530).
Up next
Houston RHP Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.85 ERA) opposes RHP Emerson Hancock (1-2, 6.21) when the series continues Friday night.