Everything to Gaine

Joel Blank: Texans, new GM will have to make smart decisions in free agency

Joel Blank: Texans, new GM will have to make smart decisions in free agency
The Texans and GM Brian Gaine have an important week ahead. Houstontexans.com

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

For new Texans general manager Brian Gaine, nothing could be more true. The new GM is faced with the task of erasing some of the bad memories left by his one-time boss Rick Smith. In fitting Rick Smith fashion, he left Gaine without a first or second round pick in this year's draft, all in an effort to rid himself of Brock Osweiler and that albatross of a contract. With all that being said, free agency is the first step in trying to improve the roster while overcoming the challenges left by Smith. Making a splash in free agency without overspending is easier said than done, but if he is able to pull it off, it will go a long way with his team and his fan base.

Today is the first official day that teams and free agents can meet and talk to discuss the future. The Texans are in a better position than most as they have found their franchise quarterback, but now the challenge becomes protecting him and avoiding another season-ending injury. Houston currently has around $66 million to spend as they enter free agency and the draft. To put it another way, they have the 6th-highest salary cap space in the league, with the Jets leading the way at around $92 million and the 49ers 5th, with $70 million. In between those two teams are the Browns at $76 million, the Colts at $74 million and the Buccaneers at $73 million. Though there is not a surplus of quality tackles available in free agency this year there is one, Nate Solder, who has protected arguably the greatest quarterback ever in Tom Brady. He would be a serious upgrade for the Texans, who have struggled trying to protect Deshaun Watson. There are a few quality guards on the open market, but it will be a challenge to avoid overpaying when trying to upgrade the line. Since the two biggest needs for this franchise are to improve the offensive line and the secondary, the back end and outside of the defense might be the best way to allocate free agency dollars. Unlike the offensive lineman on the market, there seems to be an abundance of above-average corners and safeties out there. Even with Richard Sherman agreeing to sign in San Francisco, there are still quality players like Malcolm Butler, Kenny Vaccaro, Michael Thomas, Eric Reid, and Tre Boston. Of that class of players, Vacarro attended the University of Texas and Thomas is from Aldine, so both might be open to returning home and helping the Texans. Depending on what they do or do not spend in the early stages of free agency, tight end could also be a position of need. With the status of C.J. Fiedorowicz up in the air for to concussions, and with the tight end such a valuable and necessary position in Bill O'Brien's offense, Gaine could consider several available options. The key to free agency is to spend wisely and intelligently, without overspending and handcuffing your future cap flexibility.

After wrapping up free agency, the draft is the next step towards forming and formulating a quality roster for the upcoming season. With the NFL combine behind us and free agency upon us, the other way that Gaine can fill holes on his roster is to add quality college talent with the draft picks that he has at his disposal. As previously mentioned, Smith traded away the first and second round picks for the team this year. That leaves eight total picks starting in round three and ending in round seven. The first three picks the team has are in the third round and the Texans can make a splash immediately with the players they select on the second day of the draft. Chances are there will still be some quality offensive linemen on the board, as well as some above average defensive backs, linebackers, and possibly even a receiver or tight end. Who the team takes with these three selections in Round 3 could say a lot in terms of what grade Gaine gets when we look back on this draft. Getting a few talented players that step right in and help the team is essential when you are without a selection in either of the first two rounds. The new general manager can make a huge splash by drafting quality players that can contribute both immediately and for years to come, as one of the biggest knocks on Rick Smith was always his inability to draft after the first round and get talented players that could add depth, push starters and contribute on special teams. The mark of Smith's middle round draft picks were that more ended up being released without making an impact on the Texans, and the majority of them didn't impact any other roster once their days in Houston ended.

So the table is set for what should be an exciting few weeks for football fans in Houston. Between free agency and the draft,  the players Brian Gaine brings in will go a long way towards shaping the team's roster next year and for seasons to come. In the process it will also write the first chapter in the career of the team's new GM and allow the fans and critics alike the opportunity to pass or fail the moves made. Regardless of the outcome, as Tupac said, all eyes on you, Brian Gaine.

 

 

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Astros' young guns are making an impact! Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros walked out of Phoenix with a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks, but the biggest win of the series might not have been in the standings, it could’ve been the emergence of their latest young spark plug.

Once again, the pitching carried the load. Brandon Walter continued his breakout season with another strong showing, and right now, he looks like Houston’s third starter if the playoffs began today. Behind him, Ryan Gusto and Colton Gordon have quietly helped stabilize a rotation ravaged by injuries. All three own ERAs under 4.5, a luxury the Astros couldn’t have anticipated heading into the year. Another thing they couldn't have anticipated was Lance McCullers' ERA this season being almost seven.

Walter’s rise comes at the same time the McCullers situation grows murkier. After starting the season late, he’s on the injured list again, this time with a blister on his pitching hand. Though the issue isn’t related to his arm, the “vibes” simply haven't been there. He’s struggled in four of his last five starts, and one wonders whether a "phantom" IL stint might be in his future, especially with Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti progressing in rehab assignments. The roster squeeze is coming, and McCullers might not make the cut.

Crushing dingers!

Offensively, the conversation begins and ends with Brice Matthews. The first-round pick has quickly shifted from injury fill-in to potential staple, nearly winning the series by himself with three home runs across the first two games. His athleticism has popped in the field, and while contact concerns remain, the power and energy are real. Matthews is the only prospect of his pedigree ready to contribute, so the club made a wise decision to take a shot on upside, and Matthews delivered. That's why we were so emphatic about the Astros elevating Matthews. Get him in the lineup as a DH if you have to, whatever it takes, this offense needs pop. Then lo and behold, not only does he give the offense a lift, his defense also helped seal a win against Arizona.

Veteran slugger Christian Walker might be heating up too, posting a .348 average with three home runs and an .895 OPS in July. That’s a promising development, especially in a month when the Astros have flipped their typical formula. The pitching has been average — 18th in ERA, 18th in WHIP, 21st in opponent batting average — but the offense has been elite: top-five in slugging, OPS, and runs scored.

Injury bug

Still, questions persist. Chief among them is the health of Yordan Alvarez. His recent comments about his hand injury — specifically, his uncertainty and acknowledgement that rest hasn’t helped — were troubling. If surgery isn’t an option and time off isn’t working, what is the long-term solution? At this point, fans are right to worry about whether Alvarez will ever fully return to the dominant form he once showed.

Trade deadline

With the trade deadline one week away, general manager Dana Brown has to weigh all of this. The pitching could soon be bolstered by returns from the IL. But the offense, especially with no clear return dates for Alvarez, Jeremy Peña, Jake Meyers, and Isaac Paredes, might need immediate help. Despite the sweep, Houston scored just three and four runs in the final two games of the Diamondbacks series. If they’re serious about contending for a championship, another bat may be required. They'll see much better pitching in the postseason.

If the Astros do decide to add an arm, a power right-handed reliever could make sense. With Bryan Abreu the only truly dominant righty in the bullpen, a little late-inning muscle wouldn’t hurt.

Bottom line: the Astros are winning, and they're doing it in multiple ways. But with health concerns piling up and playoff positioning tightening, there’s still plenty of work ahead. Fortunately for Houston, they may have just found another foundational piece in the most unexpected place, a rookie who’s already changing the conversation.

There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! 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.

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