Here's the definitive case for Astros doubling down on this specific need
TOP PRIORITY
14 November 2023
We learned a fair amount from the GM meetings with Dana Brown speaking to the media about the club's outlook for 2024.
Brown made it seem like the team isn't looking to spend much money in free agency, with a backup catcher and possibly some pitching being on the top of their priority list.
Super agent Scott Boras also had some interesting comments about how the pitch clock led to a rash of injuries to pitchers in 2023. And as we look at the Astros rotation moving forward, there's a lot of uncertainty to factor in. Justin Verlander is another year older, and missed time due to injury early in the 2023 season. We're also back to not knowing which Framber Valdez will show up from start to start. Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier regressed significantly, and who knows what can be expected from Jose Urquidy after more injuries and an ERA over 5.
Martin Maldonado could fill the need for a backup catcher, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. So that leaves pitching as the team's top priority in our opinion.
The bullpen could use some attention, with Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek, and Hector Neris heading to free agency, but the starting rotation is where we're focused. For the reasons mentioned above, and because Dana Brown said we shouldn't expect Lance McCullers and Luis Garcia to return from injury until July.
And let's be honest, it's hard to count on Lance McCullers moving forward with his injury history. Plus, Luis Garcia's pitch count will be limited coming off Tommy John surgery. If injuries continue to pile up due to the pitch clock and other factors, the Astros may very well need another middle of the rotation pitcher to eat up innings this season.
Many fans would like to see an upgrade in the outfield, but it doesn't appear to be a priority for the 'Stros with their salary restrictions. They still have Kyle Tucker, Mauricio Dubon, Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers, and Yordan Alvarez as options in the outfield.
So it's no surprise that Brown views pitching and backup catcher as the team's main focus.
Don't miss the video above as we discuss how the Astros can best deploy their limited payroll for the 2024 season, and much more.
Critical lessons learned from Texans' heartbreaking loss to Packers
Oct 20, 2024, 3:52 pm
Brandon McManus kicked a 45-yard field goal as time expired in his debut performance with Green Bay, lifting the Packers past the Houston Texans 24-22 on Sunday.
Green Bay (5-2) overcame three turnovers to win its third straight and snap the Texans’ three-game winning streak.
* Be sure to watch the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap reacts live to the game on YouTube.
The Packers released rookie Brayden Narveson and signed the 33-year-old McManus on Wednesday. McManus had been out of a job since the summer, when two women sued him and the Jacksonville Jaguars in civil court alleging he sexually assaulted them when they were working as flight attendants on the Jaguars’ trip to London last year.
The NFL said late last month it didn’t find sufficient evidence that McManus violated the personal conduct policy. Lawyers representing McManus and the women said the civil case had been resolved.
Green Bay signed McManus because of his history of reliability from within 50 yards. And McManus delivered by making a winning kick on his first field-goal attempt with the Packers. He celebrated by doing a “Lambeau leap” into the corner of the end-zone stands.
Green Bay’s Jordan Love was 23 of 31 for 214 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Houston's Joe Mixon rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Ka’imi Fairbairn was 3 of 3 on field-goal attempts and put the Texans (5-2) ahead by making a 35-yarder with 1:44 left.
C.J. Stroud was just 10 of 21 for a career-low 86 yards and was sacked four times.
On the game's final drive, the Packers were at midfield when Love hit Romeo Doubs for a 13-yard gain. An offside penalty on Houston's Will Anderson brought the Packers 5 yards closer. After a 6-yard completion from Love to Doubs got Green Bay to Houston's 26, the Packers called a timeout with 3 seconds left to set things up for McManus.
Josh Jacobs put the Packers ahead midway through the third quarter when he got his first career touchdown catch, on the sixth-year pro’s 212th overall reception. Jacobs had the NFL record for most career catches without a touchdown reception.
On second-and-goal from the 8, Jacobs caught a screen a few yards behind the line of scrimmage and ran across the middle of the field into the end zone.
But the Packers went three-and-out on their next three possessions, allowing the Texans to come back again.
The Texans built a 19-14 halftime lead by scoring 16 points off three Packers turnovers.
Injuries
Packers LB Quay Walker left in the first half to get evaluated for a concussion after teammate Kingsley Enagbare's leg inadvertently hit him in the head at the end of a play.
UP NEXT
Texans: Host the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday.
Packers: Visit the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday.
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