ASTROS FREE AGENCY
Why Michael Brantley's return to Houston is an underrated big move for Astros
Dec 20, 2022, 11:17 am
Composite image by Brandon Strange.
We finally have resolution on Astros' Michael Brantley, shoulder injury
The Houston Astros made another move in free agency over the weekend by locking down veteran Michael Brantley to a one-year deal.
“Uncle Mike” will make at least $12 million for the Astros in 2023, and it could increase up to $16 million due to incentives, according to an ESPN report.
While it may not be as eye-popping of a signing as José Abreu, Brantley’s return to the Astros quietly helps out the club both on and off the field. The move gives Houston flexibility in the outfield, an area it has wanted to focus on in the offseason, as well as brings back a key piece to the Astros’ clubhouse from a leadership standpoint.
The 35-year-old missed most of 2022, including Houston’s postseason run, due to a shoulder injury that required Brantley to undergo arthroscopic labral repair surgery. According to CBS Sports, Brantley is aiming to resume baseball activities by the start of spring training.
Brantley provides the Astros with depth in the outfield, particularly left field, and when healthy, he is another veteran bat in Houston’s lethal order. Prior to suffering his injury, the veteran’s numbers were .288/.370/.416 along with five home runs and 26 runs batted in.
While it is unknown if Brantley in fact will be ready to go by spring training, or if he will be as consistent in the lineup or on defense for the Astros in 2023, his presence alone will be a welcomed sight for Houston.
The Astros put Brantley on the “additional players” list in the postseason, which allowed for him to travel with the team throughout its World Series run.
During the American League Division Series, the Astros’ young star shortstop Jeremy Peña talked about how valuable having Brantley, along with the other veterans on the team, was. Brantley helped Peña progress during his rookie year.
The culture in the clubhouse Peña alluded to was one of the reasons Abreu was drawn to the Astros in free agency in the first place. Brantley is a key figure in keeping that atmosphere at the same level.
With a team like the Astros, which will likely bring in new players at some point, whether it is before the 2023 regular season begins or during the season, having players like Brantley will help in acclimating them to Houston’s standard.
On the field, a healthy Brantley also allows for star Yordan Álvarez to move back to the designated hitter spot more often than not. The less wear-and-tear they can put on Álvarez the better it will be for Houston. It also provides manager Dusty Baker with another player he trusts in.
It is clear the Astros value Brantley and that he wanted to return as well.
Michael Brantley wants to continue his career & hopes to return to the Astros in 2023. His contract expires after this season: “I love my teammates.I love this organization..From Jim Crane all the way down from day one when I walked in this door I was welcomed with open arms.” pic.twitter.com/yKQRFqy6kD
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 28, 2022
When looking at the remaining names in free agency alone that are outfielders, Houston arguably got the player that has the most upside if he is healthy as well. It is a win-win for the Astros. “Uncle Mike” is back, and he will be a key figure in the team’s quest for a repeat.
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Miami (6-7) at Houston (8-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BetMGM Odds: Texans by 3.
Against the spread: Dolphins 5-8; Texans 5-6-2.
Series record: Texans lead 8-3.
Last meeting: Dolphins beat Texans 30-15, on Nov. 27, 2022, in Miami.
Last week: Dolphins beat Jets 32-26 in OT; Texans were off, beat Jaguars 23-20 on Dec. 1.
Dolphins offense: overall (19), rush (24), pass (14), scoring (23).
Dolphins defense: overall (9), rush (7), pass (11), scoring (T14).
Texans offense: overall (18), rush (16), pass (17), scoring (11).
Texans defense: overall (5), rush (10), pass (7), scoring (T12).
Turnover differential: Dolphins minus-2; Texans plus-10.
Dolphins player to watch
QB Tua Tagovailoa, who has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL at throwing with anticipation and accuracy since he returned from a concussion in Week 8. Tagovailoa leads the NFL with a 73.8% completion rate and threw for 300 yards for the third straight game last week vs. the Jets. Tagovailoa is the first player in NFL history to have at least 40 pass attempts, multiple touchdown passes and no interceptions in three consecutive games within a single season.
Texans player to watch
QB C.J. Stroud has thrown for at least 225 yards in each of his six home games this season and is 11-4 in 15 starts in Houston, including the playoffs. He has thrown for 3,117 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.
Key matchup
Houston RB Joe Mixon vs. Miami’s run defense. Mixon ran for 101 yards in Houston’s previous game for his seventh 100-yard game this season. He ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game. This week he’ll face a run defense that ranks seventh in the NFL by holding teams to 105.6 yards a game.
Key injuries
Miami LT Terron Armstead is dealing with a knee injury that limited him to just five snaps last week. He did not practice Wednesday… LBs Bradley Chubb (knee) and Cameron Goode (knee) could make their season debut, depending on how this week of practice goes, coach Mike McDaniel said. … WRs Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle (hamstring), RB Raheem Mostert (hip), and LB Anthony Walker Jr. (hamstring) were among those limited in practice Wednesday. … Houston S Jalen Pitre is expected to miss a second straight game with a shoulder injury. … DE Denico Autry was limited in practice Wednesday because of a knee injury.
Series notes
Houston won the first seven meetings in this series. … Miami didn’t get its first win against the Texans until a 44-26 victory in 2015. … The Dolphins have won the past two meetings. … These teams first met in the season opener in 2003 when Houston got a 21-20 win on a late field goal.
Stats and stuff
Three of Miami’s final four games of the season are on the road. … K Jason Sanders needs 13 points Sunday to reach 800. He also needs one field goal to reach 177, which would give him the second-most field goals made in franchise history. … TE Jonnu Smith needs 100 yards receiving to reach 792 and set a franchise record for most yards receiving by a tight end in a single season. Smith had three catches for 44 yards, including the game-winning TD vs. the Jets last week after having no receptions during regulation. … Tagovailoa needs a completion rate of 70% or better on Sunday to reach eight consecutive games completing at least 70% of his passes. That would tie him with Joe Montana (1989) and Drew Brees (2017-18) for the longest streak in NFL history. … The Dolphins gave up a season-high 402 yards to the Jets last week. Aaron Rodgers burned Miami’s pass defense for 319 yards, and Miami’s secondary allowed a combined 223 yards by Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams. … Houston can clinch the AFC South title for the second straight year with a win and a loss by Indianapolis Sunday. … The Texans rank second in the NFL with 84 tackles for loss. … Their 42 sacks also rank second. … WR Nico Collins had eight receptions for 119 yards for his fourth 100-yard game this season in Houston’s previous game. He has had at least 75 yards receiving and a TD reception in each of his four home games this season. … TE Dalton Schultz had five receptions for 61 yards and a score in Week 13. He has had at least five catches in two of his past three games. … LB Azeez Al-Shaai will serve the first game of a three-game suspension for an illegal hit to the head of QB Trevor Lawrence Sunday. … DE Danielle Hunter is one of two players in the NFL this season with at least 15 tackles for loss (15) and 10 sacks (10 1/2). It’s his sixth career season with at least 10 sacks. He has eight tackles for loss and five sacks combined in his past three games. … DE Will Anderson has had a sack in his past two home games. … LB Henry To’oTo’o has had at least five tackles in four straight games. … CB Derek Stingley had his third interception of the season in his previous game. … CB Kamari Lassiter had a career-high eight tackles, including a tackle for loss in Week 13. … S Jimmie Ward has had an interception in his past two home games. He also had an interception in his previous game against Miami in 2022 while with San Francisco.
Fantasy tip
Collins has 456 yards receiving and four touchdown receptions in four home games this season.