Every-Thing Sports
How players testing positive for COVID-19 could impact the Texans
Jun 16, 2020, 8:55 am
Photo by Getty Images.
What a fun, odd, puzzling, crazy, WTF year 2020 has been so far! We've had Tiger King (gay, gun-toting, private zookeeper, convicted felon in murder for hire), a global COVID-19 pandemic (a respiratory based disease that supposedly originated from eating bats), Murder Hornets (some sort of hybrid hornet whose size and venomous sting is more deadly than others), and more police brutality cases (murders) that have finally drawn the ire of more than the black community that has been disproportionately impacted.
The death of George Floyd, a Houston native, sparked a revolution of sorts. Protests were done in all 50 states and dozens of nations worldwide. Mind you, we're still under a global pandemic from COVID-19. Social distancing and whatnot has gone to the wayside with the protests. Many people weren't wearing masks, or weren't wearing them properly. Couple that with the government wanting to open things up to stimulate the economy, and you have a recipe for disaster.
News came down Monday that several Cowboys and Texans players have tested positive for COVID-19. The only one named was Cowboy running back Ezekiel Elliott. The immediate question I pose is simple: How does this impact the upcoming NFL season, specifically regarding the Texans?
It's still early
According to the NFL's timeline for returning, most teams are scheduled to report to training camp on July 28. The Cowboys and Steelers are scheduled to go to camp on July 22 since they're playing in the Hall of Fame preseason special. That timeline gives players who've tested positive right at a month to quarantine and get healthy before training camp gets started. Although this virus is highly unpredictable as far as who, what, when, and how it takes hold and impacts individuals, a month for a pro athlete should be plenty of time.
Who tested positive?
Apart from Elliott, there are no known superstar players at this point in time who tested positive. With the Texans moving to a new offensive philosophy (speed based), it will require lots of cohesion, chemistry, and timing. Building an offense around speed requires a different level of offseason preparation. If Deshaun Watson, a key offensive lineman, or one of his top targets has tested positive, this could hold back the necessary reps needed for any and all the new pieces. Hopefully, that isn't the case. But if it is, it could prove difficult.
Could be a non-issue
With positive tests increasing because things are opening up, it could dealy the start of the season. The NFL was smart enough to set up the league schedule to account for this. If there's a delay, these early positive tests could prove a non-issue. It would give teams and players enough time to not only recover, but to put plans in place to account for guys testing positive. The refs already came out and expressed concern about the virus. A setback instarting the season could give the league time to react to anything that may negatively impact their start, whether on time or not.
When it comes to the local team, I think this team can, andmaybe will, prove some doubters wrong this season. Despite the odds stacked against them, they have some things working for them. Bill O'Brien's recent statements speaking out for social injustice, J.J. Watt calling out Twitter trolls about kneeling, as well as other prominent players protesting and attending George Floyd's funeral could all be rallying points for this team. As long as no featured players test positive too close to the start of or during the season, they could fare well. Let's hope masks, gloves, social distancing, washing hands, and whatnot procide enough of a barrier between the virus and the start of what could be a successful season.
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With the Astros now officially ten games under .500 for the season, manager Joe Espada is taking a lot of heat from the fanbase for the team's struggles.
While we don't agree with the sentiment, we even hear fans clamoring for the return of Dusty Baker and Martin Maldonado, thinking the Astros wouldn't be in this mess if they were still here.
Which is ridiculous. First of all, Maldonado has been awful for the White Sox, hitting .048 (even worse than Jose Abreu's .065). And for those of you that think his work with the pitching staff justifies his pathetic offense. Let me say this: Where was Maldy's game calling genius for Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez last year? All of them regressed significantly.
And as far as Baker is concerned, we have no idea how much a difference he would make, we can only speculate. Baker would also be dealing with a pitching staff ravaged with injuries. And let's not forget, Baker was the guy that refused to move Jose Abreu down in the batting order, even though he would finish the regular season with the ninth-worst OPS in baseball.
The reality of the situation is managers can only do so much in baseball. Which leads us to something else that needs to be considered. Is Espada being handcuffed by the front office? Espada and GM Dana Brown both said recently that Jon Singleton was going to get more at-bats while they give Abreu time off to try to figure things out. Yet, there Abreu was in the lineup again in the opening game of the Cubs series.
It makes us wonder how much power does Espada truly have? The Astros have some other options at first base. Yainer Diaz may only have eight games played at the position, but how much worse could he be than Abreu defensively? Abreu already has four errors, and Diaz is obviously a way better hitter. Victor Caratini isn't considered a plus offensive player, but his .276 batting average makes him look like Babe Ruth compared to Abreu. Let him catch more often and play Diaz at first. Starting Diaz at first more often could also lengthen his career long-term.
Maybe that's too wild of a move. Okay, fine. How about playing Mauricio Dubon at first base? I understand he doesn't have much experience at that position, but what's the downside of trying him there? If he can play shortstop, he can play first base. He's driving in runs at a higher rate (11 RBIs) than everyone on the team outside of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. And he's producing like that as part-time player right now.
The other criticism we see of Espada is his use of Jon Singleton to pinch hit late in games. Let's be real, though, who else does Espada have on the roster to go to? Batting Abreu late in games in which you're trailing should be considered malpractice. Espada can only use who he has to work with. This all really stems from the Astros poor farm system.
They don't have anyone else to turn to. The draft picks the club lost from the sign-stealing scandal are really hurting them right now. First and second rounders from 2020 and 2021 should be helping you in 2024 at the big league level.
Maybe they go to Astros prospect Joey Loperfido soon, but after a hot start he has only two hits in his last six games.
Finally, we have to talk about what seems like a committee making baseball decisions. Lost in a committee is accountability. Who gets the blame for making poor decisions?
As time continues to pass it looks like moving on from former GM James Click was a massive mistake. He's the guy that didn't sign Abreu, but did trade Myles Straw (recently DFA'd) for Yainer Diaz and Phil Maton. He also built an elite bullpen without breaking the bank, and helped the club win a World Series in 2022.
The reality of the situation is Dusty Baker and James Click are not walking back through that door. And all good runs come to an end at some point. Is this what we're witnessing?
Don't miss the video above as we hit on all the points discussed and much more!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan. We drop two episodes every week on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel. You can also listen on Apple Podcast, Spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts.