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.

Most Popular

Houston beat Duke 70-67. Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images.

Houston’s suffocating defense wiped away a 14-point deficit over the final eight minutes and erased Cooper Flagg and Duke’s title hopes Saturday in a 70-67 stunner over the Blue Devils at the Final Four.

Duke made a grand total of one field goal over the last 10 1/2 minutes of this game. The second-to-last attempt was a step-back jumper in the lane by Flagg that J’Wan Roberts disrupted. The last was a desperation heave by Tyrese Proctor that caught nothing at the buzzer.

It was Roberts’ two free throws with 19.6 seconds left that gave the Cougars their first lead since 6-5. LJ Cryer, who led Houston with 26 points, made two more to push the lead to three. It was Houston’ biggest lead of the night.

The Cougars, who never won a title, not even in the days of Phi Slama Jamma, will play Florida on Monday night for the championship.

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM