It looks like we have a new team entering the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes
WATSON WATCH
15 March 2022
Watson to Atlanta? Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Falcons have emerged as a team interested in trading for Houston Texans QB, Deshaun Watson.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank is fond of Deshaun Watson from the days when the former Gainesville (Ga) High quarterback worked multiple years as a Falcons’ ball boy and developed a relationship with Blank's family. https://t.co/EypxrnF9ma
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2022
Clearly, Tom Brady is having an impact on the Deshaun Watson trade market, with every team in the NFC South, outside of Tampa, interested in trading for Watson. According to Schefter's tweet, some of the interest in Watson stems from the fondness Falcons owner Arthur Blank has for Watson.
Either way, this is good news for Texans fans. The more teams interested in Watson, the better. The Falcons have the No.8 overall pick in this year's draft and two second round picks. The extra second round pick came from the Titans as part of the Julio Jones trade.
Atlanta Falcons are set to meet with Deshaun Watson on Wednesday, according to a league source. Falcons granted permission to talk with Pro Bowl quarterback and make their sales pitch. Browns are in Houston today to meet with Watson after previous Panthers and Saints meetings
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 15, 2022
Aaron Wilson is now reporting that the Falcons will meet with Deshaun Watson on Wednesday to make their pitch.
Nick Kurtz homered in the ninth inning for the second straight day and the Athletics beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Monday night.
Brent Rooker drew a leadoff walk against Bryan Abreu (1-3) to open the ninth and reach safely in 12 straight home games. Kurtz followed with his seventh home run of the season 447 feet over the right-field wall.
Kurtz also hit a ninth-inning homer on Sunday to rally the Athletics to a 3-2 win and a three-game sweep at Kansas City.
The Athletics have won four straight games and are now 7-4 over the last 11 after losing 20 of the previous 21.
The Astros had a five-game winning streak snapped after entering winners in 16 of their last 22.
Athletics reliever J.T. Ginn struck out the side in the eighth and Mason Miller (1-2) added two strikeouts in the ninth. Starter Mitch Spence allowed seven hits and one earned run in five innings.
Third baseman Max Muncy made a nice defensive play to end the fifth when he made a backhand stab of a grounder and sent a jump throw from foul territory to get a hustling Jose Altuve at first base.
Houston rookie Ryan Gusto struck out a season-high eight and only allowed one earned run in five innings. He started in place of RHP Lance McCullers Jr., who was placed on the IL.
Altuve homered in the first and JJ Bleday went deep to tie the score 1-1 for the Athletics in the fifth.
Key moment
The Athletics appeared to have runners on second and third with two outs in the eighth following Tyler Soderstrom’s hit. However, an official review showed Jeremy Peña tagged Soderstrom when he came off the bag.
Key stat
Abreu had a string of 16 straight scoreless outings come to an end. Abreu has only allowed runs in three of his 32 appearances.
Up next
Athletics LHP JP Sears (5-5, 5.08) is scheduled to start on Tuesday. The Astros have not named a starter.
