EVERY-THING SPORTS
Here's what to make of all the latest trades that impact Houston sports
Jul 28, 2021, 2:29 pm
Randall Cobb appears to be heading back to Green Bay. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.
Last week, I took a look at the different trade scenarios all three Houston teams should look into. Turns out, some of them actually listened! While there weren't any blockbuster deals worked out, there were a couple deals either completed or rumored to be in the works:
Astros
The Astros made a move on Tuesday to acquire relievers Kendall Graveman (0.82 ERA this season in 30 games over 33 innings) and Rafael Montero from the Mariners for third baseman Abraham Toro and reliever Joe Smith. The idea of divisional incest trades is peculiar enough. When you add to the fact that you got one of the better relievers away from a division rival who's also making a push for a playoff spot and did very little to nothing to weaken your position, this should be applauded. However, James Click has more to do. This was a mere Band-Aid to cover a gapping wound. There's more work to be done, and Click's legacy as a general manager is in the balance because this team is built to contend.
Editor's note: Chandler Rome is reporting the Astros are trading for Marlins reliever Yimi Garcia. Garcia is a 30-year-old right-handed pitcher with a 3.47 ERA who has appeared in 39 games this season.
The deal is not official yet, but the Astros have an agreement in place to send minor league outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to Miami in exchange for reliever Yimi García, a source confirms.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 28, 2021
Texans
Last week, I thought the Texans should offload a running back to the Rams considering they lost their starter. This week, news came down that disgruntled Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wants Randall Cobb back in Green Bay as a part of his conditional return. Who would've thought that the Texans would find an out for one of the worst contracts on their roster through another team's struggle?
A welcome-back gift for Aaron Rodgers: the Texans are trading former Packers' WR Randall Cobb back to Green Bay, per Randall Cobb. Cobb has been a longtime favorite of Rodgers.
But this trade's for Aaron.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2021
This deal seems to be done according to all reports. If there are other guys on this roster that teams may be interested in, whether because of injury or necessity, Nick Caserio should be open to making trades. The one big trade they're able to make is on hold until either: A) a team is desperate enough, B) they get offered something they can't refuse, or C) the coast is clear and a deal is on the table. The Watson Watch is officially on.
Editor's note: The Texans will receive a 6th round pick in exchange for Randall Cobb.
The #Packers are trading a 2022 sixth-round pick to the #Texans for WR Randall Cobb, source said. Houston is also expected to pay $3 million of Cobb's salary to facilitate the deal. Aaron Rodgers gets his man.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 28, 2021
Rockets
With the Pistons trying to send a smokescreen about the number one pick, the Rockets are in a great position. No matter who the Pistons select, the Rockets will have a player available that can be a game changer. IF they decide to trade the pick, they're in position to get a good haul. More than likely if a trade comes, it won't be with their number two overall pick. Rumors continue to swirl about Eric Gordon and one of their later picks (23 or 24) going to the Pacers for the number thirteen pick. Whatever they decide to do, they need to make the correct pick at number two, and make the subsequent proper picks. If they decide to trade, they need to get rid of some long term contracts for shorter contracts and/or picks. I'm not as confident in Rafael Stone to do the right thing, but I'm glad Matt Bullard is there to help out.
It's an exciting time for Houston sports fans. That is if you're into roster building. Each team has the ability to help build their roster over the next few days/weeks/months that could help propel each into further success in the future. For now, we wait and see what Click, Caserio, and Stone will do. Here's to hoping moves are made that will have long term positive effects on each roster.
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The NFL Draft, NBA playoffs, and NHL playoffs all dwarf baseball in the sports pecking order this week, but that doesn’t detract from the Astros playing their best stretch of baseball in the still young season. Following up taking two of three from the previously sizzling hot Padres by sweeping the Blue Jays three straight has the Astros’ record at a just fine 13-11 as they open a three-game weekend series in Kansas City. 13-11 may not sound special, because it isn’t, but having come home from St. Louis last week with the record at 8-10 makes 13-11 a quality leap. Plus, a 13-11 pace over 162 games extrapolates to 87 wins, which last season were enough to win the American League West and for an AL Wild Card spot.
Batter up!
While no one will be confusing the potency of this Astros’ lineup with those of the 2017 or 2019 juggernauts, some welcome perking up may have kicked in, despite Yordan Alvarez still not getting rolling. After Joe Espada gave Christian Walker a “mental rest” game off Monday, Walker produced a three-hit game Tuesday and a two-hit follow-up Wednesday, including a home run. Walker’s .202 batting average and .640 OPS are still lousy, but a much lesser grade of lousy than the statistical abyss he was in starting the Toronto series. Yainer Diaz has been much worse than Walker to this point. Diaz managed at least one hit in all three games of the Jays series. Baby steps. He is still sitting on an unacceptable three walks in 78 plate appearances.
Speaking of hits and walks, Jeremy Pena carries a 14-game hitting streak into the weekend. One-quarter of the way to Joe DiMaggio’s big league record! Willy Taveras set the Astros’ record with a 30-gamer back in 2006. Pena hasn’t been crushing it during the streak, during which he has just two multi-hit games. He’s had stretches where he has hit better and slugged harder (2022 postseason anyone?), but while too small a stretch to declare a leap has been made, it is noteworthy that over the 14 games Pena has drawn six walks. That gives him eight free passes in 24 games this season. More math fun! That’s one walk drawn per three games, which over 162 games would make for 54. Last season in 157 games played Pena drew a paltry 25 walks. Add in that his defense has been superb so far this season with a number of fabulous plays made and just one error committed, and Pena could be making modest offensive improvement that makes him a meaningfully better player.
Furthermore speaking of hits and walks, it’s been a struggle on both fronts the last couple of weeks for Jose Altuve. A two-week funk does not represent a crisis, but there are troubling trends that bear watching as Altuve sets to turn 35 years old May 6. Over his last 14 games, Altuve’s OPS is a sub-Maldonadian .547. In this stretch he has two doubles as his lone extra base hits and drawn just two walks. Altuve has struck out 22 times in 24 games. Setting aside the short 2020 COVID season when Altuve never got it going, last year he had the worst strikeout percentage of his career, while his walk rate was his worst since 2015. So far this season, Altuve’s strikeout rate is more than 20 percent worse than last year’s, with his walk rate down 30 percent from 2024. He is hitting line drives at a much lower rate than ever before, and struggling to get the ball in the air. The season still isn’t 20 percent old, but since Altuve last season finished with his lowest OPS (.790, again, exempting 2020) since 2013, and his current .728 OPS is 62 points lower than that, the antennae of at least mild concern are up. This is the first season of Altuve’s five-year 125 million dollar contract extension. Remember, the Astros would not offer Kyle Tucker a contract that took him to age 35.
Bringing the heat!
Hunter Brown makes his next start Sunday in Kansas City. Good luck Royals! Until getting a doubleheader against the pathetic Rockies Thursday, K.C. was averaging under three runs per game. Brown's earned run average through five starts is 1.16! It's waaaaay early to focus on this, but the best season ERA for an Astro pitcher who qualified for the statistical lead (one inning pitched per team game played) belongs to Nolan Ryan who posted a 1.69 in the strike-shortened 1981 season. Over a full-schedule season, Justin Verlander's 1.75 in 2022 is the standard. Brown has fired 24 consecutive shutout innings. Ryan Pressly holds the Astros’ record with 38 consecutive scoreless innings pitched. Orel Hershiser set the Major League record by finishing the 1988 regular season with a ridiculous 59 straight shutout innings. Yes he won the National League Cy Young Award. The Cy Young is strictly a regular season award. Hershiser in 1988 also won the League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award, and World Series MVP.
For Astro-centric conversation, join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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