MLB insider creates firestorm on free agency, shots fired at Astros
BIG WORDS
30 December 2024
Should more teams operate like the Dodgers? Composite: Getty Images, IG: Christian Walker, IG: MLB on FOX.
ESPN's Jeff Passan caused quite the frenzy on Friday when he posted on X about the Dodgers' “pursuit of winning” being unmatched.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a machine. Not only do they print cash, their willingness to spend it in pursuit of winning is unmatched. They put their money where their mouth is. Others could benefit greatly from the same approach. They choose not to.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 27, 2024
He also made it clear that other organizations could follow the Dodgers' blueprint and defer money, but they choose not to, for a variety of reasons.
Passan received some pushback, with many people pointing to the TV money the Dodgers receive, that just isn't a reality in other markets. But as Passan points out in the post below, deferring money isn't exclusive to the Dodgers.
Bobby Bonilla, Ken Griffey Jr, Francisco Lindor, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Christian Yelich and plenty of others deferred money. Arizona’s ownership needed to sell in 2004 because it deferred too much.
Before you complain, understand history a little. It’s not hard.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 28, 2024
Passan's stance on free agency got us thinking about how the Astros handle their contracts, and stick to their policy of avoiding long-term deals.
If ever there was a player to make an exception for, it would have been Kyle Tucker. But it also takes two to tango. Tucker would have to have been willing to defer some of his money. Plus, there is some downside when teams defer cash. It lowers the perceived value of the team, and some clubs have been forced to take floater loans just to make payroll.
Shots fired!
Super agent Scott Boras took a swipe at the Astros after they dropped out of the running for Alex Bregman.
“Over time, teams learn if you’re running from leadership and talent, you’re running from the ultimate goal,” said Boras. It's funny, we don't remember Boras having that same opinion of the 'Stros when his client Jose Altuve signed a long-term deal with the club just last year. He is clearly upset about losing leverage in the Bregman negotiations, with Houston no longer in the mix.
Don't miss the video above as we address the comments from Passan and Boras, and examine if Crane's philosophy on mega contracts needs to evolve for the Astros to compete at the highest levels again.
Plus, will Corbin Burnes' massive deal with the Diamondbacks change the Astros' approach with Framber Valdez?
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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