How team strategies will dictate Houston Astros free agency, trade market options

BIG MOVES COMING?

While the Astros and GM Dana Brown are searching for the team's next manager, they also have free agency and the trade market to navigate over the next several weeks.

Michael Schwab is reporting the team will only be around $9 million under the threshold of the competitive balance tax, so it doesn't appear the team will be players for big ticket free agents.

So if not the free agent market, what about trades? The Astros reportedly had interest in Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo before the trade deadline. Could he be a player still on Houston's radar?

MLBTradeRumors.com wrote a piece about Verdugo recently, and listed the Astros as one of their best fits for his services. He's a left-handed bat that could replace Michael Brantley immediately. He only has one year left on his deal, so the compensation the Red Sox are looking for should be somewhat reasonable.

Of course, the Astros' farm system is pretty thin. So that's a concern.

We've also seen articles naming Twins pitcher Sonny Gray and Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (who has a club option for 2024) as players the club should consider. We're not sure about Muncy becoming available, but you can never have enough pitching.

Who's really running things?

Finally, this year the Astros have GM Dana Brown in place to upgrade the roster for 2024. With that being the case, will Jeff Bagwell and Jim Crane allow Brown to run the show this offseason?

Don't miss the video above as we break it all down.

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Critical opportunities Houston Texans must seize versus Broncos to resume playoff march

The Houston Texans will look to get back on track this week against the Broncos, who are suddenly back in playoff contention after ripping off five straight wins.

Too bad Houston didn't get to play the Broncos earlier in the season.

The Texans host Russel Wilson and company this Sunday at NRG and are currently 3.5 point favorites. Vegas is expecting a lot of points as they set the total at 47, the second-highest of the week.

After two straight games with over 100 yards rushing, Devin Singletary and the Texans rushing game came crashing back down to Earth with 32 rushing yards combined between Singletary and Dameon Pierce.

Things could change this Sunday, with the Broncos allowing the most rushing yards per game (155.18). To be fair, many of the Broncos stats are skewed with their terrible start to the season, and a game in which they allowed a whopping 70 points to the Dolphins.

During Denver's winning streak, they held the Chiefs and Bills to 9 and 22 points, respectively. But the one edge the Texans have over almost every team in the NFL is quarterback play.

The Texans and CJ Stroud are 1st in passing yards per game (297.6) and 4th in total yards per game (396.4).

So who will come out ahead in this critical matchup?

Check out the video above for a full early breakdown of the game, plus predictions. And go Texans!

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