We've entered a new era of Astros baseball. Composite Getty Image.
Astros fans have now had a few days to process what the signing of Christian Walker means for the organization moving forward. Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker will not be returning, and their bats have been replaced by Isaac Paredes and Walker.
Clearly, defense was also a priority for Houston. Jose Altuve's defense has fallen off significantly, and the hope is adding a Gold Glover like Walker will help to hide some of his deficiencies.
Houston may have lost a Gold Glover with Bregman leaving, but at least they gained one at first base. Speaking of Bregman, Astros fans are kind of in a weird spot with him. They're fully aware he's not returning to the club, but don't know which team he's going to play for.
The loss of Bregman probably won't fully sink in until he officially joins another organization. Which makes us curious about Altuve, who pleaded with the front office to bring back Breggy.
We have to wonder what Altuve really thinks about these moves behind closed doors. He can be disappointed about Jim Crane's philosophy on long-term deals, but contracts are a two-way street.
Altuve gave the 'Stros a hometown discount, and that's why he'll be an Astro for the foreseeable future. His former teammates weren't willing to do that, and that's why they're no longer with the club. Plain and simple.
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss the new-look Astros, their current World Series odds, if the team is done making moves this offseason, and much more!
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans reveals short and long-term outlook for Tank Dell
Dec 23, 2024, 4:14 pm
Houston Texans receiver Tank Dell will miss the remainder of the season after dislocating a knee and tearing an ACL in a loss to Kansas City on Saturday.
Coach DeMeco Ryans revealed the details of his injury Monday before announcing that Dell would have season-ending surgery for a second straight year. He fractured his fibula in Week 13 against the Broncos as a rookie last season and had surgery on it the following day.
“He dislocated the knee, he tore the ACL, other things there he’ll have to get repaired," Ryans said. “So he’ll be out for the year.”
Ryans didn't have a date for Dell's surgery for this injury, but said it would be soon.
Dell was injured on a 30-yard touchdown catch in Houston’s 27-19 loss Saturday. He was coming across the back of the end zone and made the spectacular catch on a pass from C.J. Stroud before colliding with Houston teammate Jared Wayne on the way to the ground. Dell immediately grabbed at his knee and Wayne signaled for team trainers, who spent several minutes working on the wide receiver while teammates waited anxiously.
Dell was eventually placed on a stretcher and driven in a covered medical cart off the field, and then he was taken to the hospital. He stayed in the hospital overnight before flying back to Houston on Sunday.
Stroud, who is so close to Dell that he considers him a brother, cried the entire time the receiver was down on the field and for a while after he was taken away.
“It was just not easy for me to sit there and be emotional,” Stroud said Monday. “But it’s something that we all go through in life and it’s easy to be a fake tough guy. It’s easy to go through life acting like everything doesn’t affect you, but deep down we all know we’re going through something.”
Some criticized Stroud for crying. But he believes a display of emotion such as that was important to remind people of the human aspect of this game and the toll it can take on players.
“It’s good for young men and women out there, kids who are brought up — and I was taught this too as a kid, not from my parents but just from the world, don’t let anybody see you emotional,” he said. “Don’t let anybody see you down and yeah there’s some truth to that in in certain aspects, but there’s also life and I think it was good for people to see me in that light and knowing that there is still a human factor to me and I’m a normal person.”
Stroud said that he and Dell meet for Bible study a couple of times every week and he believes his faith will help Dell in this difficult time.
“This isn’t the end for him,” Stroud said. “This is just another bump in the road... there’s always light in the tunnel.”
This injury comes after the 25-year-old Dell was an innocent bystander at a private event in Sanford, Florida, last offseason, when he sustained a minor gunshot wound. He spent a brief amount of time in the hospital but was able to return to Houston soon afterward.
Dell, a third-round pick out of the University of Houston last year, ranks second on the team with 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns.
His injury is another blow to a team that was already missing Stefon Diggs after the four-time Pro Bowl receiver sustained a season-ending knee injury in Week 8.