WATSON WATCH
Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson has eliminated one team from his list
Mar 17, 2022, 11:26 am
The Browns are out! Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images.
Week 1 fantasy football rankings
According to Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns have been informed that Deshaun Watson will not waive his no-trade clause for a trade to Cleveland.
Browns notified they’re out of the running on Deshaun Watson, per team official.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2022
We've heard rumors that Deshaun prefers not to play for a cold weather team, so eliminating the Browns makes sense in that aspect. And after reports from Aaron Wilson about Watson having a second meeting with the Saints on Wednesday night, it's starting to look like the Saints are the favorites to land Watson.
New Orleans Saints met with Deshaun Watson for second time while simultaneously clearing salary-cap space to acquire his $156 million contract, according to league sources. One source described general manager Mickey Loomis as "determined" and "aggressive" to land Watson
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 17, 2022
Not only does New Orleans look like Deshaun's favorite destination at the moment, but the Saints are making multiple moves to clear cap space, and it appears they almost have enough cap space to make the trade, according to Field Yates. We're also hearing from Aaron Wilson that Saints guard and former 1st round pick, Cesar Ruiz, could be a part of this trade.
There is still no Matt Ryan contract restructure in Atlanta, nor any agreement on one.
And the Saints can almost already afford Deshaun Watson if the quarterback wanted to go to New Orleans. https://t.co/GpMeIfki4k
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2022
Let's focus on the Falcons for a moment because the clock is ticking for them. Per ProFootballTalk, "Ryan is due to receive a $7.5 million roster bonus tomorrow. Which means that, if he’s not off the roster by 4:00 p.m. ET today, the cap charge for a pre-June 1 trade moves to $48.025 million."
With this in mind, don't be surprised if Watson has to let the Falcons know his intentions today, so they can make a decision on Ryan's contract.
As far as the Panthers, they feel like a long shot at this point. Watson has met twice with the Saints, so it would be very surprising if Watson picks the Panthers. But anything is possible, we'll see. Bottom line, I believe Watson makes his decision today, but we might not hear about it right away.
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Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer early and Jon Singleton had three hits, capped by a tiebreaking RBI single in Houston’s four-run eighth inning, and the Astros got a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
SAY HEY!!#Relentless pic.twitter.com/fqAiUHHdNh
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Brent Rooker homered off Ryan Pressly (2-3) with one out in the eighth to tie it at 2-all.
Yainer Diaz and Kyle Tucker hit consecutive singles with one out in the eighth to chase T.J. McFarland (2-3) and bring on Grant Holman. There were two outs in the inning when Singleton’s single to center field scored Diaz to put the Astros on top.
Jake Meyers followed with a run-scoring double before the Athletics intentionally walked Heyward to load the bases. Mauricio Dubón singled on a ground ball to left field to score two more, pushing the lead to 6-2.
Tyler Nevin hit a solo homer off Josh Hader with one out in the ninth before the closer retired the next two batters to end it.
Houston’s Framber Valdez allowed five hits and a run with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to help the Astros avoid a three-game sweep and snap a three-game skid with the victory.
La Grasa had himself a day.#Relentless pic.twitter.com/LvGeKBAoqA
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Oakland starter Mitch Spence permitted seven hits and two runs in seven innings.
Singleton hit a ground-rule double with one out in the second before Heyward smacked a line drive into the second row in right field for his first home run as an Astro to make it 2-0.
It was the third hit in 12 games with Houston for Heyward, who signed with the Astros Aug. 29 after being released by the Dodgers.
Jacob Wilson doubled to open the seventh and moved to third on a ground out by Nevin. The Athletics cut the lead to 1 when Wilson scored on a single by Daz Cameron that chased Valdez.
Bryan Abreu took over and pinch-hitter Seth Brown grounded into a double play on his second pitch to preserve the lead.
Lawrence Butler doubled with one out in the third to extend his career-long hitting streak to 20 games.
Singleton doubled again to start Houston’s fourth before Spence sat down the next 11 Astros. Houston’s next base runner came on a double by Dubón with two outs in the seventh and Alex Bregman grounded out to leave him stranded.
Trainer’s Room
Athletics: 1B Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist injury) is scheduled to come off the injured list Friday for the start of a series against the White Sox.
Astros: 2B Jose Altuve was out of the lineup Thursday, a day after leaving in the fifth inning with discomfort in his right side. Manager Joe Espada said he was feeling better Thursday and that he is listed as day to day.
Up Next
Athletics: LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 1.93 ERA) will start for Oakland against LHP Garrett Crochet (6-11, 3.83) in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox Friday night.
Astros: Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31) opposes LHP Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45) in the first of three games against the Los Angeles Angels Friday night.