Ranking the long-term contract priorities for the Houston Astros
LET'S MAKE A DEAL!
22 November 2022
LET'S MAKE A DEAL!
With Justin Verlander's future still uncertain, which players should the Astros be targeting to lockup long-term? Both Cody Stoots and Brad Kellner believe Framber Valdez is the player they would prioritize, but Jake Asman see things a bit differently. Kyle Tucker would be the player he would bet on long-term for Houston.
Plus, the guys also discuss some other Astros players they would love to see the team hold on to for the foreseeable future.
Be sure to check out the video above to watch both sides of the argument and see where you come out!
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Isaac Paredes hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning after Christian Walker's two-run homer in the sixth tied it up, leading the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night.
WALKER LASER. TIE GAME.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/wvhvQ7EKIi
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 20, 2025
Paredes hit a bloop single to short center field with two outs off San Diego’s Jeremiah Estrada (0-1), who had allowed two hits in 10 1/3 innings before Saturday.
Walker, who was moved out of the cleanup spot for the first time after batting .159 through the first 19 games, homered on a 1-0 sweeper from Michael King with two outs, his second of the season.
Bryan Abreu worked a scoreless eighth inning and Josh Hader, on his bobblehead giveaway night, pitched a scoreless ninth and got former Padres teammate Yuli Gurriel to fly out to end the game. Tayler Scott (1-1) worked two innings of relief and earned the win.
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit his seventh homer of the season in the third inning. Manny Machado helped add to an early lead when he followed a Tatis single and stolen base with an RBI double in the fifth inning for the Padres, who lost back-to-back games for the second time this season.
Outfielder Tirso Ornelas, who signed with the Padres in 2016, made his major league debut. The 25-year-old Ornelas was called up from Triple-A El Paso where he was hitting .281. His journey to Houston was almost as trying as his climb to the big leagues. He had two flights canceled, delaying his arrival, and was inserted as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and flied out.
Paredes’ RBI single in the seventh, which gave Houston the lead.
Houston has consecutive wins for the first time this season after beating the Padres 6-4 on Friday.
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (1-2, 4.50 ERA) opposes RHP Dylan Cease (1-1, 6.64 ERA) in the series finale on Sunday.