MLB Network analysts take a stand on Houston Astros top priorities

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE

Astros Framber Valdez, Jim Crane, Alex Bregman
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.

Do you agree? Check out the video above for the full discussion.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

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 GarcĂ­a 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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