Why whiffing on Blake Snell isn't necessarily a bad thing for Astros
NO REGRETS
19 March 2024
NO REGRETS
Despite rumors that the Houston Astros were pursuing him, 2 time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell signed a 2-year, $62 M contract with the San Francisco Giants.
The contract features an opt-out after the first season. Did the Astros make a mistake by not signing him?
Here are some positives from passing on Snell
Considering the amount of money he would have cost, signing him would have put the Astros over the second tax threshold.
He would have also cost the Astros a draft pick, since the Padres gave him a qualifying offer. The Astros already have to send one draft pick to the Padres for Josh Hader.
Houston needs every pick they can get to replenish their farm system.
If he were to get hurt, the Astros would have his huge salary on the books for 2025. Plus, if he pitches well this year, he could go right back to free agency and sign with another team.
Be sure to watch the video above as ESPN Houston's Paul Gallant & Joe George share their thoughts on why they're not concerned about Blake Snell signing with the Giants.
According to multiple reports, the Houston Texans are signing offensive tackle Cam Robinson to a 1-year contract.
Free-agent OT Cam Robinson is signing with the Houston Texans, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2025
KPRC2's Aaron Wilson is reporting that the 1-year deal has a max value of $14.5 million.
With Laremy Tunsil now a member of the Commanders, clearly the Texans wanted to add some more talent at the tackle position.
Rookie right tackle Blake Fisher showed some promise last season, but he also had his share of struggles, as one would expect from a first-year player.
This move provides the Texans with flexibility if they choose to play Tytus Howard at guard again, while also giving GM Nick Caserio additional options in the draft.
Many believed the Texans would be locked in on drafting an offensive lineman with their first pick, which they may still do. But now, they can focus on taking the best player available, which could very well be a receiver at No. 25 overall.
Plus, this addition will make the Texans less predictable on draft day when rival teams are trying to predict who Caserio will draft based on Houston's needs.
Robinson started all 17 games last season, splitting time between the Jaguars and the Vikings. The Vikings traded for Robinson after their starting tackle Christian Darrisaw was lost for the season to injury. With Robinson in the last year of his deal and the Jags' season setting up to be another failure, Jacksonville decided to trade their left tackle away. Robinson (age 29) was drafted by the Jaguars in the 2nd round out of Alabama in 2017.
Make no mistake about it, this is a solid pickup by the Texans!