Ohtani deal can provide roadmap for Astros legacy, but probably not how you think
THIS IS THE WAY!
12 December 2023
Shohei Ohtani's massive contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers has sent shock waves across MLB, and it's not just the size of the deal that's causing so much outrage.
Ohtani is deferring a huge portion of his money, which allows the Dodgers more flexibility to build a super team around him for years to come.
The details of this contract have many wondering if this is fair to the other teams and lesser markets in MLB. And if this loophole could be closed at some point.
Plus, the Astros appear to be preparing for Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker to walk in free agency over the next two years. Could a deal like Ohtani's allow Houston to keep some of their superstar players?
Finally, we discuss why Jose Altuve might be the best candidate to receive the Ohtani treatment from the Astros. Perhaps they could sign him to a 4-year extension that pays him over the next eight years. This could open up more possibilities for Dana Brown to keep or add talent to the roster.
Watch the video above for the full discussion.
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Joc Pederson broke a tie with a two-run home run in the sixth inning, Wyatt Langford hit a solo shot in a two-run seventh and the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 5-1 on Saturday night.
Tyler Mahle (5-1) allowed the one run over six innings, keeping his ERA at 1.47 — ranking third in the AL.
The Rangers have taken two of the first three games of the four-game series.
Pederson, hitting .123 with four RBI to that point as Texas’ primary DH this season, followed Marcus Semien’s one-out single off Ronel Blanco (3-4) with a drive to right-center for his second homer of the season.
Langford’s homer off Bennett Sousa immediately followed Josh Smith’s sacrifice fly that scored Sam Haggerty. Haggerty led off with a walk and was picked off first base, but he reached third when first baseman Christian Walker threw low to second base.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead four batters in when Walker hit a 3-2 fastball for an opposite-field double to score Isaac Paredes.
Texas tied it in the third when Langford singled home Kyle Higashioka, who walked and reached third on Haggerty’s ground-rule double.
The Astros left seven runners on base and were 0 for 4 hitting with runners in scoring position.
Key moment
Haggerty was a late replacement in Texas’ lineup after Evan Carter was scratched with right quadriceps tightness.
Key stat
Three Rangers starters rank in the AL’s 10 top in ERA, Mahle joined by Nathan Eovaldi (fourth at 1.51) and Jacob deGrom (10th at 2.29).
Up next
Astros LHP Framber Valdez (2-4, 3.54 ERA) was set to face Rangers rookie RHP Jack Leiter (3-2, 4.34) on Sunday in the series finale.
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