THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE
MLB Network analysts take a stand on Houston Astros top priorities
Feb 13, 2024, 12:43 pm
We don't envy this decision. Composite Getty Image.
Shortly after the Houston Astros signed Jose Altuve to a 5-year $125 million contract, fans and media are already debating what the next move for the club should be.
Re-signing Alex Bregman is the most pressing need, with him becoming a free agent after the season. While Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez are under club control for another year after Bregman.
But even teams with the most resources in baseball can't keep and pay every good player on the roster. With that in mind, MLB analysts Xavier Scruggs and Anthony Recker join Brian Kenny to debate which player Houston must retain to continue their dominance in the American League.
What's the verdict?
Scruggs comes to the conclusion that Tucker is the top priority, but based on what his contract demands will be, the Astros might be better off signing Bregman this year before he hits free agency.
If you were Dana Brown, who would be your priority to re-sign first? 🤔@Xavier_Scruggs | @Anthony_Recker | #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/Is77P4UJKp
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 13, 2024
Do you agree? Check out the video above for the full discussion.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.