How latest bombshell report provides important context to Texans trade for Diggs
WHEELING AND DEALING
04 April 2024
WHEELING AND DEALING
When the Texans traded for Stefon Diggs on Wednesday, a lot was made of his unhappiness in Buffalo that helped facilitate his trade to Houston.
Well, things just got more interesting as Adam Schefter is reporting the Texans wiped out the final three years of his deal, which will allow him to be a free agent after the season
More about the Texans wiping out final three seasons on Stefon Diggs’ deal, allowing him to become a free agent next off-season while guaranteeing him more money this season:https://t.co/TfKcHLQ2vo
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 4, 2024
The thought being the Texans will get the best version of Diggs who will be playing for a new contract, and the team can receive a compensatory pick should he walk in free agency.
Which means the Texans traded a second-round pick to rent Diggs for the 2024 season. That seems like a high price to pay for a one-year rental, in my opinion.
It's also important to note, while everyone seems to be praising GM Nick Caserio for this move, Albert Breer is reporting that the highest comp pick the Texans could receive for Diggs would be a fifth-round pick.
And we're seeing other reports saying the Texans can't receive any comp pick for Diggs because they altered his deal. Whether it's a fifth or no pick at all, there's not much to be gained here when it comes to draft picks for the Texans.
Also significant: Because this will be Texans WR Stefon Diggs' 10th NFL season, the most Houston can get in a comp pick if he leaves after this year would be a fifth-round pick. So cutting years off the deal is a big concession.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 4, 2024
Breer points out this is a “big concession” by the Texans. And depending on how the Texans renegotiated the deal, there's a chance Diggs' franchise tag number could jump to over $27 million. Which the team would likely not be willing to pay.
As it stands right now, Texans fans shouldn't get too attached to watching Diggs play in Houston. And they may want to hold off on buying a Diggs jersey, since he probably won't be with the team in 2025.
Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night.
THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/xZ9dvfZYTs
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 28, 2025
Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games.
3-run Yainer Bomb!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/4zku17xsR0
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 28, 2025
The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center.
Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston’s lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs.
Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save.
Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury.
Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago.
Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings.
Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame.
Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck.
Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month.
Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter.