Houston Texans beef up offensive line by trading with Buccaneers
TEXANS NEWS
14 March 2023
TEXANS NEWS
The Houston Texans needed some help on the offensive line and they addressed it by trading for Tampa Bay guard Shaq Mason on Tuesday.
It's a late-round pick swap, a 6th rounder for a 7th rounder, in the trade of Shaq Mason. https://t.co/MHlxteQhE9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2023
This deal is basically a salary dump for the Buccaneers, as they are receiving a 6th round pick and sending Mason and a 7th rounder to Houston. This trade clears about $5 million in salary cap for Tampa, and the Texans get an upgrade at guard.
Mason will be 30 years old when the season begins and he started all 17 games for the Bucs in 2022.
Texans GM Nick Caserio is very familiar with Mason, as he was with the Patriots when Mason was drafted in 2015.
Houston looks pretty solid at the guard and tackle positions, with Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, Kenyon Green, and now Mason.
It looks like the Texans are moving on from guard AJ Cann, per Aaron Wilson.
Source: #Texans release A.J. Cann after replacing him with trade for Shaq Mason @KPRC2 https://t.co/94O7dqJ95M https://t.co/QtUD2IflAj
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 14, 2023
Hopefully, the Texans can address center next, either in free agency or the draft. The team re-signed center Scott Quessenberry recently, but his performance last season confirmed his level of play is not suited to be a starter.
The Texans also added free agent safety/slot corner Jimmie Ward on Monday night. Ward should fit right in to the Texans new defense, having played for DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco. The deal is for 2-years, $13 million.
#Texans two-year, $13 million deal for new safety Jimmie Ward has $4 million signing bonus, salaries of $2.5M (fully gtd), $5.5M ($2M fully gtd), up to $500K in per game active roster bonuses annual, total guaranteed money $8.5 million @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 14, 2023
It's no secret to Astros fans that the ascension of Hunter Brown is one of the primary reasons the team was able to rebound from a disastrous start to the season.
Astros manager Joe Espada has seen enough from Brown to start throwing around the word “ace” when talking about him.
Joe Espada on Hunter Brown: "He's having that ace feeling to him. We are expecting him to go out there and deliver what he just did. We knew all along that is in him and now he's starting to turn the corner. He's starting to have that swag where he knows 'my team needs a win.'"
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 24, 2024
And it appears the biggest key to Brown's turnaround was mixing in a two-seam fastball to keep right-handed hitters honest. Brown needed a pitch that could command the inside of the plate, which allows his other pitches to be more effective.
We learned just recently, from Chandler Rome of The Athletic, that Alex Bregman was the one that suggested the addition of the two-seam fastball to Brown's arsenal.
Come to find out, Bregman often shares advice on how to attack hitters. Or he'll ask pitchers why they chose a certain pitch in a specific situation.
This just goes to show that veteran leadership can make a big difference. Especially on a team with so many young pitchers and catchers. Bregman was able to help Brown when no pitching coach could.
For Brown, this small tweak could be the catalyst that changes the course of his career. And the Astros season for that matter.
However, some will say the difference in Brown is more about confidence than anything else. But confidence only builds after repeated success. Nobody knows where Brown would be without the two-seam fastball.
Looking ahead
If the Astros do make the playoffs, where will Espada slot Brown in the playoff rotation? Framber Valdez has the playoff experience, so he'll probably be penciled in as the number one starter.
Justin Verlander (neck) still isn't facing live batters, so it's hard to count on him. Ronel Blanco has been an All-Star level pitcher this season, but he doesn't have any experience pitching playoff games for the Astros.
So it wouldn't be surprising at all if Brown is the team's number two starter. In all likelihood, whoever is pitching the best at the end of the season may get the nod. But it's fun to discuss in the meantime.
Finally, how does Hunter Brown's arrival impact the Astros' plans at the trade deadline? And how could that affect Justin Verlander's future with the club?
Be sure to check out the video above for the full conversation!
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.