THE PALLILOG
Astros have at least 3 strong reasons for a no-brainer decision at key position
Jan 5, 2023, 2:25 pm
The Astros' rotation is strong enough as is. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
So, are you more of a glass half-full person or more of a glass half-empty person? For the optimistic glass half-full membership: Only six more weeks until spring training opens! For the pessimistic glass half-empty crowd: Ugh. Six more weeks until spring training opens! Even with the Texans wrapping up a third straight pathetic season this weekend and the Rockets in the midst of their third straight pathetic season, the optimists have it right. Especially after the sturm and drang of a year ago when everything was delayed by collective bargaining negotiations.
We are in the midst of the generally quietest stretch of the offseason. Most of the heavy lifting of free agency is done (the Carlos Correa saga notwithstanding), and while there is certainly still the possibility of a blockbuster trade or two in the next month and change, most clubs pretty much have the makings of their 2023 rosters in place. The Astros are the American League favorites as is, making it that much more eyebrow raising that somehow they’ve been mentioned among teams as a possible landing spot for pitcher Trevor Bauer should the Dodgers cut ties with him. Of course, anyone can chuck anything against the wall these days. Never say never but I’d be stunned if the Astros signed Trevor Bauer.
Bauer has been reinstated after serving a 194 game suspension over sexual assault allegations. The lurid details that made it to the public domain were quite disturbing. Bauer was never charged with a crime, not that that is proof of innocence. The Dodgers have a Friday deadline to reinstate Bauer to their roster or release him. Either way they will owe him 22 million dollars for the coming season.
Bauer last pitched in a game June 28 2021. He was having an excellent season for the Dodgers after winning the National League Cy Young Award as a Cincinnati Red in the 2020 60 game COVID season. Bauer turns 32 years old in a couple of weeks. His talent is unquestioned. It’s not like he missed the last season and a half because of Tommy John surgery or a torn rotator cuff. The argument for signing him would be “Talent wins. You can never have enough pitching. Bauer served his punishment and is eligible to play for any team.” The argument against signing him would be “Isn’t it obvious?”
Astros’ fans should refrain from any “My team would never sign a guy like Bauer” sanctimoniousness. Jim Crane certainly signed off on the Astros’ 2018 trade for pitcher Roberto Osuna. Then General Manager Jeff Luhnow made the deal acquiring a “distressed asset” with the Toronto Blue Jays wanting nothing more to do with Osuna after a 75 game suspension that Osuna accepted for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. A suspension over which the Players Association filed no grievance (in contrast to Bauer’s case). Osuna blew out his arm in 2020 and the Astros non-tendered him. He pitched 2021 in Mexico and began the 2022 season there before going to the Japan League’s Chiba Lotte Marines. Osuna excelled in both Mexico and Japan, still hasn’t turned 28 years old, and no Major League team has touched him.
I’m not saying in absolute terms that no one should sign Trevor Bauer, but the Houston Astros should not. With Justin Verlander gone, Cristian Javier yet to start for a full season, and Lance McCullers often seeming an injury waiting to happen, yes the Astros’ outstanding starting pitching depth could fray. But presently they have Javier, McCullers, Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia, and Jose Uruidy, with top prospect Hunter Brown pounding on the door to join the rotation. In purely baseball terms, signing Bauer would make sense if the Astros had a move ready including, say, Garcia, in a trade to the Pirates for centerfielder Bryan Reynolds. Signing Bauer would not be a purely baseball decision. Pass. If he was to sign with the Angels or Rangers, flourish, and help one of those teams contend with the Astros in the AL West, so be it.
Did you know we have a new Astros podcast?
Stone Cold ‘Stros is the weekly Astro-centric podcast I take part in with Brandon Strange and Josh Jordan. On our regular schedule it airs live at 3PM Monday on the SportsMapHouston YouTube channel, is available there for playback at any point, and also becomes available in podcast form at outlets galore.
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Astros look to stay in control as division pace quickens
Jun 18, 2025, 4:13 pm
The NBA trade rumor mill is in overdrive, and once again, Kevin Durant finds himself at the center of the chaos. As teams across the league weigh their options, the Houston Rockets have emerged as one of the most intriguing possibilities — a rising squad with young talent, cap flexibility, and the ambition to make a major move. But is Durant the final piece that could launch the Rockets into true contender status?
In this episode, we dive deep into the latest whispers surrounding KD’s future, including the Suns’ disappointment with Houston’s current offer and their desire to pry Jalen Green and/or Jabari Smith from the Rockets' promising core. Phoenix is playing hardball, reportedly seeking either the Spurs' No. 2 pick in the draft, Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, or possibly both — a steep price for a 35-year-old star on a two-year deal.
San Antonio has quietly emerged as a serious contender for Durant’s services, potentially leapfrogging other suitors like the Heat — who, according to reports, sit at the bottom of KD’s preferred destinations list. With Durant’s age becoming a factor and the Suns trying to balance long-term development with short-term competitiveness, Phoenix faces a tough question: are they chasing the Durant of a decade ago, or can they still extract elite value from what he brings now?
We break down the top three teams in the KD sweepstakes, the Suns’ aggressive demands, and whether Houston’s front office will push its chips in — or walk away from the table.
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