Contract aside, here’s why Astros have no choice but fix Rafael Montero
BUYER'S REMORSE
23 June 2023
BUYER'S REMORSE
When the Houston Astros signed Rafael Montero to a 3-year, $34,500,000 contract this offseason many fans and media members were surprised. Montero had one quality season to his name, and landed the fifth-biggest reliever contract in MLB.
Houston did not have a general manager at the time, and as we approach the half-way point of the season, that deal looks like a huge mistake. Montero's ERA is over 7, and he just can't be trusted in any situation.
So what should the Astros do? ESPN Houston's John Granato and Josh Jordan share their thoughts on how the Astros can fix Montero and salvage a troubling situation.
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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.
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.
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.
The Rockets dominated inside, outscoring the Spurs 66-46 in the paint.
San Antonio hosts Portland on Thursday night and the Rockets visit Oklahoma City on Friday night.
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