ON THE WAY OUT
Dynamo sell “Cubo” Torres to Pumas UNAM for reported $2 million transfer fee
Jan 25, 2018, 8:47 am
Cubo Torres' time with the Dynamo is at an end. Victor Araiza/SportsMap
Erick “ Cubo” Torres’ time in Houston is up.
The Houston Dynamo have parted ways with the 25-year-old Mexican forward after Liga MX side Pumas UNAM completed his purchase for a reported $2 million fee on Wednesday night. Torres was at Houston Sports Park Wednesday morning but by nightfall he was in Mexico City to be announced as a new signing on a national broadcast of his new club’s 3-0 win over Club Juarez in Copa MX.
"It's the best moment of my career and personal life,” said Torres to Televisa Deportes. "I've just turned 25 and have experience in the national team, youth national teams and in important clubs. I'm coming at an age at which, without doubt, I will do big things."
The Dynamo signed Torres to a five-year deal after purchasing him from Liga MX side Club Guadalajara for a reported $7 million in December of 2014. He played the first six months of his deal in Mexico as part of a loan and did not debut in Houston until July 27, 2015 in a 3-0 home win vs. LA Galaxy.
Torres broke out for the Dynamo in 2017 with 14 goals - surpassing Brian Ching’s club record for most MLS goals in a season - after failing to find the back of the net in his first two years. Eight of those goals came in the first 10 matches of the season with his last goal coming as part of a double that rescued a 3-3 draw on August 23 at rival FC Dallas.
“My mind right now is on making a great preseason,” said Torres on Tuesday morning after the Dynamo opened their preseason. “There’s a World Cup coming, I don’t know what could happen. I’m preparing myself for that, to apply pressure, to be in the sight of [Mexican National Team Manager] Juan Carlos Osorio.”
Torres was the highest paid player on the Dynamo in 2017 with a base salary of $650,000, according to the Major League Soccer Players Association website. Houston fielded the team with the lowest team salary in the league as they made a run to the Western Conference final.
Major League Soccer, like several other pro leagues in the United States, operates with a salary cap. The Dynamo had shopped Torres previously in an effort to clear up cap space.
Dynamo GM Matt Jordan will be on Soccer Matters Thursday night with Glenn Davis at 7 p.m. on ESPN 97.5.
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After dropping a frustrating series to the Chicago White Sox, the Houston Astros find themselves in a familiar position—searching for answers, but still within striking distance. Despite their inconsistency, Houston sits just three games behind the AL West-leading Mariners, who are currently 7 games over .500 and riding an 8-2 stretch. For as up-and-down as the Astros have been, the division remains tantalizingly close.
That inconsistency was on full display throughout the White Sox series. Jake Meyers and Zach Dezenzo each played the roles of both hero and heartbreaker. Dezenzo launched a massive home run in Game 3, a moment that energized the dugout and briefly shifted momentum. But his costly defensive error later in the game flipped the script. Meyers was a spark plug in Houston’s lone win, delivering a clutch performance at the plate, only to run the team out of a rally in the finale when he was picked off second—right before Jeremy Peña ripped what would have been an RBI single.
Jose Altuve’s struggles are quietly becoming more worrisome. He’s recorded just one multi-hit game since April 19 and has only one homer since April 8. On Sunday, he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had grinded through a 33-pitch inning—a decision that raised questions about his awareness in a veteran moment. Should manager Joe Espada have reminded Altuve of the situation? Or is this on Altuve, who should have known what to do as one of the team leaders?
Signs of life
There are flickers of life from the bats. Last week, Houston's team OPS was an underwhelming .667 (23rd in MLB), with a slugging percentage of .357 (25th). They've nudged those numbers up to .684 (19th) and .370 (21st), respectively. It’s modest progress, but enough to suggest this offense might be trending in the right direction. Still, their 5-5 record over the last 10 games feels emblematic of who they are right now—a .500 team with both talent and flaws.
Looking ahead
The upcoming schedule could be a turning point. Three of the next five opponents have losing records, and none of them are elite. This stretch offers a prime opportunity for Houston to finally build momentum and close the gap in the division—assuming the Mariners cool off from their current tear, which seems inevitable given their unsustainable 8-2 pace.
McCullers is officially back!
Lance McCullers returned for the first time since 2022 and, despite being limited to 3.2 innings due to command issues (three walks and a hit batter), there were encouraging signs. His velocity was there, and the stuff looked sharp. It’s a start, and perhaps a step toward stabilizing a rotation that still needs length.
Steering the ship
Manager Joe Espada, however, continues to draw scrutiny. His decision-making in the finale raised eyebrows again. Giving Isaac Paredes a day off when Yordan Alvarez was already sitting left the lineup depleted. Rather than using promising young infielder/outfielder Cam Smith, he opted for Mauricio Dubón and Brendan Rodgers—a defensive combo that didn't inspire confidence. It feels at times like Espada isn’t prioritizing winning the final game of a series, a pattern that could haunt the team down the stretch.
The plot thickens
Meanwhile, Christian Walker’s slump is dragging on. He went 0-for-5 twice in the last two series and looks out of sync at the plate. The Astros need more from their power hitters if they hope to make a real run. And with Alvarez now heading to the IL with hand inflammation, runs will be even harder to come by.
All told, this team still feels like one hovering just above or below .500. But in a division that remains wide open, the path forward is clear: play better, hope the Mariners come back to earth, and capitalize on a soft schedule. The race is far from over—but it’s time for Houston to start acting like contenders.
We have so much more to discuss. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
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