Johnson will return to the Texans. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.
Ian Rapoport is reporting that David Johnson will accept a pay cut and play with the Texans in 2021. Johnson is a reminder to many Texans fans of what they got in return for Pro Bowl WR DeAndre Hopkins, along with a couple of draft picks. Many fans would like to see the team go younger at the position, but Houston will bring Johnson back for at least one more season.
Here's what I think this move really signifies
Personally, I think this decision has more to do with saving face and not wanting the DeAndre Hopkins trade to look like an even bigger disaster. Cutting Johnson after one season would have clearly made the trade look even worse. However, his $4.25 million deal isn't a terrible value, but I was hoping Houston would look to find a player with more upside and juice at the position.
But with the Texans' lack of draft capital, the team won't have to prioritize the position early in the draft or in free agency. Also, veteran RBs often have a tough time finding a team with many GMs looking to go with younger options that don't cost as much. Meaning, Johnson is better off taking less money and knowing that he won't have to look for another team at the age of 29.
Source: The #Texans have agreed to terms on a new contract for RB David Johnson, with his one-year deal worth up to $6M with $4.25M fully guaranteed at signing. Johnson stays in Houston.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2021
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.