How Texans just became the Hunter with their splashiest free agent move yet
THAT JUST HAPPENED!
12 March 2024
The Texans are signing one of the best pass-rushers on the market. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Texans caught everyone by surprise when they traded for Joe Mixon on Tuesday. Well, it didn't take long for the Texans to top that move.
According to multiple reports, the Houston Texans are signing former Vikings pass-rusher Danielle Hunter to a 2-year, $49 million deal with $48 million guaranteed.
Danielle Hunter grew up outside Houston. Now, after nine seasons in Minnesota, he joins his hometown team on a two-year, $49 million deal that includes $48M guaranteed. Max $51M with incentives. https://t.co/wrSqyqkVx0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2024
Hunter (age 29) is a 4-time Pro Bowler that played every game over the past two seasons. He recorded 16.5 sacks in 2023 with 22 quarterback hits.
Basically, the Texans traded pass rushers with the Vikings, as Jonathan Greenard signed with Minnesota on Monday. With the addition of Hunter and defensive end Denico Autry in free agency, Houston has a lot of flexibility on their d-line.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson should be thrilled about this addition, as Hunter and Autry will attract a lot of attention on the opposite side of the line.
Plus, the Colts were rumored to be interested in Hunter. So not only do the Texans get him, but that also means the Colts don't.
Texans tackle Tytus Howard certainly likes the move!
Our DLine is crazyyyyyy
— Tytus Howard (@tyhoward71) March 12, 2024
It will be interesting to see how the Texans deploy their pass-rushers. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein believes the Texans can get creative with their alignments, with both Autry and Hunter joining the team.
I know the Texans will sit in nickel as their primary base package more than they won't, but Autry and Hunter give the Texans the ability to become more varied with their alignments as Autry can play 5T in a true odd-front look.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 12, 2024
Interesting...
Denico Autry can play base but with Hunter in Houston now, his role me be more as a sub-rusher inside. With Hunter, Anderson and Autry hunting the quarterback.... look out.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 12, 2024
Over the weekend, reports surfaced about the Astros circling back to the Cardinals about a potential trade for third baseman Nolan Arenado after Alex Bregman agreed to a contract with the Red Sox.
Shortly thereafter, The Athletic reported that the talks haven't gained any “traction” and no trade is expected to take place in the near future. (Thank goodness).
There's also the issue of Arenado's no-trade clause, further complicating the issue. However, the most notable information to takeaway from these reports has to be Houston's comfort (or lack there of) with their current roster.
Not only does this signal concern about the state of the infield, but it also shows how serious the Astros are about Jose Altuve playing a significant amount of time in left field.
According to MLB.com, had the deal originally gone down, the Astros would have been on the hook for Arenado's three-year contract that would cost Houston between $40-45 million after the Cardinals ate part of the salary.
Despite St. Louis kicking in part of the money, trading for Arenado would push the Astros past the competitive balance tax, something many believe owner Jim Crane was looking to avoid.
Considering Arenado's rapid regression in 2024, it's hard to imagine why Houston's front office would even entertain this move. Did they not learn anything from the Jose Abreu contract?
Arenado will play this season at 34 years old, and Houston would be stuck with his contract through his age 36 season. Sounds familiar. To make matters worse, Arenado's advanced stats are even more concerning.
Last season his bat speed was below average, and he recorded his career-worst stats in barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and slugging. And get this, he only had 39 extra-base hits in 2024 over 152 games played.
In 2023 with Houston, Abreu had 42 extra-base hits. But that's just part of the issue. Many Astros fans are begging for Arenado to join the team because he's a much better option than Mauricio Dubon.
The thought being Isaac Paredes would move to second base, with Arenado playing third, pushing Dubon to a utility role. Be careful what you wish for, Astros fans.
When Dubon received regular playing time in 2023 while Jose Altuve was out with a broken thumb, he posted 39 extra-base hits, the same number as Arenado last season. But Dubon was able to do that playing in 20 fewer games! Dubon also slugged .411 compared to Arenado's .394.
Why would the Astros pay Arenado roughly $15 million per season when he's arguably no better than the much cheaper, (and younger) Dubon? Makes zero sense. When a player shows you they're declining, believe them!
Can the Astros avoid another slow start?
The Astros had a huge hole to dig out of last year after a disastrous start to the season. They managed to prove a lot of haters wrong and finish with another division title, but it wasn't easy.
The two things they really struggled with were manufacturing runs late in games, and bullpen meltdowns. When looking at the current roster, are they better positioned this year to avoid stumbling out of the gate?
Be sure to watch the video above as we also address MLB's new challenge system, what's going on with Jim Crane, and much more!
The countdown to Opening Day is on. Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
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