Houston Texans appear to be maneuvering for even more after latest splashy moves
KEEP THE MOVES COMING!
13 March 2024
KEEP THE MOVES COMING!
The Houston Texans started off slow on Day 1 of free agency, but you could argue they won Day 2. First, they traded for Bengals RB Joe Mixon. While Mixon was not a free agent, he would have been had the Texans not traded a 7th round pick to bring him to Houston.
But the next move to come was something fans have long been waiting for. Instead of signing another mid-market player, GM Nick Caserio went all-in by signing the best pass rusher on the market, Danielle Hunter.
Now when we look back at what the Texans did on Day 1 with some context, those decisions look even better. Denico Autry was brought in to play alongside Will Anderson and Hunter. Not be the one-to-one replacement for Jonathan Greenard.
And the signing of linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair also looks like a great move. He should be an immediate upgrade at the position. His experience in San Francisco has us believing he was handpicked by DeMeco. Not just a player they added that fit their budget.
Plus, the addition of cornerback Jeff Okudah looks more like a low-risk move to add depth at the position. Not a crown jewel in free agency.
Seeing the puzzle come together, instead of reacting in the moment, can greatly change one's perspective.
Speaking of which, the Texans traded defensive tackle Maliek Collins to the 49ers on Wednesday for a 7th round pick. Which should save the team a little over 2.5 million in cap space in 2024. On the surface, this deal doesn't make a ton of sense.
But a move like this could lead to the Texans signing 49ers DT Arik Armstead or another player Houston has in their crosshairs.
#49ers officially released Arik Armstead. He has interest from #Texans #Bengals #Lions among others, per league sources
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 13, 2024
The Texans reportedly have interest in Armstead, could he be the next big move coming?
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss why DeMeco was willing to move on from Collins, and how we're seeing a pattern from the Texans that could give us some clues about their next big move.
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 García 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.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
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.