A MAJOR DEAL?

Report of Astros acquiring starting pitcher Gerrit Cole from the Pirates was premature

Fred Faour
Jan 10, 2018, 12:44 pm
Gerrit Cole is reportedly going to be an Astro. Sbnation.com

The Astros bid to repeat as World Series champions appeared to get a big boost on Wednesday. And then it didn't. The Astros reportedly acquired Pittsbugh Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole for prospects. The deal was reported by Jon Morosi of MLB Network and confirmed by several other MLB sources.

However, Jeff Passan of Yahoo disputed the report. Several others joined him in shooting down the deal. Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, the best source of all, also disputed the report.

 "We have talked to several teams about possible trades," Luhnow told Passan. "At this point, nothing is imminent."

He also told Mark Berman of Fox Sports that "We are talking to some free agents and some teams about possible deals.  As of right now, nothing is close enough to become newsworthy."

Morosi never updated his tweets, but did write a story that backed off his assertion that the deal was agreed upon.

If the deal does get done, this is a great move for the Astros. The 27-year-old Cole had a down season last year, with a career-worst 4.26 ERA. But he is under team control for two more seasons and for his career he is 59-42 with a 3.50 ERA. 

The move for Cole would open up all kinds of possibilities. A 1-2-3 of Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel and Cole will match up with anyone. The depth would be stronger with Charlie Morton, Lance McCullers, Colin McHugh and potentially Brad Peacock behind them. It frees the Astros up to move Peacock to the bullpen full time, and perhaps even consider McCullers as a closer. It also provides insurance in case Keuchel bolts after next season.

Morosi pointed out on Twitter that Cole's arbitration filing deadline is Friday and the Astros wanted to have the deal done so that they could do it at their own number. 

It would be a strong move that should only make the Astros better in 2018. With a full season of Verlander and the addition of Cole, the Astros are poised to make another magical run. If it gets done, of course.

 

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15

49ers RB Austin Walter gives back to Crosby H.S. with Night of Champions

Walter will host The Night of Champions. Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images.

In 2014, Austin Walter rushed for 2,704 yards and 34 touchdowns as a senior at Crosby High School. Despite falling short of a state title, Walter was named District 19-4A MVP and finished his prep career with a little over 6,000 rushing yards on 613 carries (6,062 yds). Seven years later, Walter will be returning to his high school alma mater to give back to the community that laid the foundation for an NFL career as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

"It's a blessing to be able to come from a small town and be one of the guys who made it out," Walter said. "Not a lot of people made it to the NFL or the NBA from Crosby High School. To be one of the first, it's an amazing feeling. It's a blessing and an honor."

On Thursday, April 15, Walter will host The Night of Champions to benefit the Crosby High School Booster Club from 6-9 p.m. The event will be a weight lifting competition at Crosby High School for student-athletes around the area to showcase their talents and abilities.

In addition to hosting a weight lifting showcase, Walter will also share his life teachings with student-athletes in attendance. Perseverance and not taking no for an answer will be one of the most vital messages the Crosby native will share with aspiring pro-athletes. It's the two virtues Walter has leaned on from little league football to the NFL. And as an undrafted prospect in 2019, it was that same morale that helped him outshine six other running backs during the 49ers rookie training camp that same year.

"Before I started playing football in high school, a lot of people thought I was too small," Walter said. "They thought because we played little league and not in middle school we would not make it in high school. My twin brother [Ashton Walter] and I did not listen to that. We just kept pushing forward."

"When I left Rice, people thought I was going to play in the Canadian league or AFF, and I did not take no for an answer. I believed in myself. And I believed in God. And if I can make it out of a small town like Crosby, anybody can make it...It's the mentality I've had my entire life of not quitting. I feel like that is what got me to the point I am at right now."

Whether their life goal is to play in the NFL or not, Walter's primary objective for The Night of Champions is to be an inspiration and show kids they can find success despite their environment. It is one of the things the former XFL running back (Dallas Renegades) wished he would have seen growing up in Crosby.

After graduating from Crosby High School, Walter went on to have a record-breaking collegiate career at Rice University. He became one of two players in school history to rush for over 1,500 yards (1,744 yds.) and 1,000 kick return yards (1,548 yds.) in four seasons with the Owls. In February, Walter signed a one-year contract extension to re-join the 49ers ahead of the 2021 NFL season.

Click here to learn more about The Night of Champions at Crosby High School or support Walter and the Crosby High School Booster Club.

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