Houston Astros GM Dana Brown joined the team's flagship station this week and spoke about how the team will approach the trade deadline.
Brown was asked if any prospect would be untouchable in a trade, Brown said Drew Gilbert would only be made available if the trade was for a player with a few years of team control. In other words, they're not trading Gilbert for a rental.
In the past, Astros GM Jeff Luhnow treated Kyle Tucker and Forrest Whitley as untradeable prospects. And that certainly worked out in the case of Kyle Tucker. Forrest Whitley, however, was drafted in 2016 and still hasn't made an appearance in the big leagues.
Finally, is there a scenario in which the Astros would be sellers at the trade deadline? The team would have to be out of contention and/or suffer another huge injury to the pitching staff. Also, if the club can't get Cristian Javier back on track, making a deep playoff run would seem very unlikely this season.
If this scenario did play out, the Astros would have some quality pitchers in the bullpen to trade that are set to be free agents next season. Ryne Stanek (2024 FA), Phil Maton (2024 FA), and Hector Neris (player option for 2024 if he makes six more appearances this season) would definitely be in demand for teams looking to add to their depth for a postseason run.
But at the end of the day, the Astros will likely be in striking distance of making the playoffs when the trade deadline arrives on August 1. However, Houston's upcoming series with the Rangers could have a huge impact on how this season plays out.
Be sure to check out the video above as we break it all down.
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Green and VanVleet score 21 each as Houston Rockets rout San Antonio Spurs
Nov 7, 2024, 11:40 am
Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet had 21 points each and the Houston Rockets built a huge lead early and coasted to a 127-100 win over the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night.
Houston never trailed and had built a 25-point lead by halftime. The Rockets were up by 27 points when coach Ime Udoka cleared the bench with about 6½ minutes remaining.
Alperen Sengun added 16 points for the Rockets, who won for the fourth time in five games. VanVleet had 10 assists and seven rebounds — both season-highs — to go with his top scoring effort of the season.
Victor Wembanyama had 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks for the Spurs, who lost a second straight game. They were playing a third consecutive game without coach Gregg Popovich, who is out indefinitely while recovering from an illness. Mitch Johnson is filling in as interim coach while the 75-year-old Popovich, who did not travel with the team on this road trip, is out.
Takeaways
Spurs: San Antonio’s defense suffered Wednesday in its first game without top on-ball defender Jeremy Sochan, who suffered a fractured left thumb that will require surgery in Monday’s game. Rookie Stephon Castle, who started in his place, will need to step up with Sochan likely out for an extended period.
Rockets: After failing to play consistently for four quarters in the last two games, Houston finally put together a complete game against the Spurs.
Key moment
The Rockets were up by 7 with about five minutes left in the first quarter before using a 7-0 run, with the first five points by VanVleet, to make it 22-8. The Spurs didn’t get closer than 10 points after that.
Key stat
The Rockets dominated inside, outscoring the Spurs 66-46 in the paint.
Up next
San Antonio hosts Portland on Thursday night and the Rockets visit Oklahoma City on Friday night.
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Fans of Houston sports and Houston food can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11 at 8th Wonder. Tickets are $75 for VIP and $50 for General Admission. For a limited time, we’re giving you $10 off; use code SPORTSMAP at checkout. Get your tickets now!
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