DO THE TEXANS HAVE THE RESOURCES LEFT TO PULL OFF ANOTHER DEAL?

Texans: Ramsey a perfect fit, but what do they have to give?

Texans: Ramsey a perfect fit, but what do they have to give?
Photo via:Jaguars/Facebook

By now the word is out that Jalen Ramsey wants a trade from the Jaguars and would love to play elsewhere as soon as possible. The word surfaced yesterday and social media was a buzz talking about where he could go and who would want the all-world cornerback? Texans fans came out of the woodwork to declare that Houston is the place Ramsey should want to be, and they will load up the truck for his move to NRG. There's only one problem, well actually a few issues with this possible trade destination and it starts with the fact that the Texans have traded away most of the assets needed to pull off a deal of this magnitude.

It would be great if they had a first round draft pick next year or the year after to entice Jacksonville to engage in conversations, but they don't. They gave those away along with a second round pick that would have been helpful, to get Kenny Stills and Laremy Tunsil from Miami. Don't get me wrong, both players help this team immediately and make them better, I just think the price they paid was far too high and is now affecting them negatively as they try to improve in other areas. The Dolphins just traded defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steelers for a future first round pick, a player that could've helped the Texans in a big way. If there was a way Fitzpatrick could've been added to the already consummated trade, it could've made the move more acceptable and beneficial for Houston. The overwhelming sentiment that experts had after the trade was made, was that the Texans acted desperate and gave away far too much.

Texans Carlos Hyde and Duke JohnsonComposite photo by Brandon Strange

The same comments and grades that the team and Bill O'Brien received when they made the trade with Miami, they also got when they over paid for running back Duke Johnson. The Browns and Texans agreed on a swap for a fourth round pick that will turn into a third round selection based on Johnson's performance this season. Sources around the NFL thought that Johnson could've been had for a 6th round pick that would have elevated to a 5th. The point being, you added talent to the roster for this season but you over paid and that will cost the team in the future by the picks you gave up and the limitations it placed on the organization's ability to make deals this season.

Houston Texans player Jadeveon ClowneyPhoto by Michelle Watson/Catchlight Group

Aside from all the draft picks the Texans gave away in the two trades with the Browns and Dolphins, let's not forget another move that was made that didn't exactly bring back the returns the fan base had hoped for. It would be wonderful if the team had a former number one overall pick in the draft, a stud defensive end that was available for trade, that was playing at a high level and wanted a big contract the team wasn't willing to give out. You know the guy, Jadaveon Clowney, the guy they gave away for a third round pick and change to the Seahawks? The guy that conceivably could've at least got the Jags to the table to discuss an otherwise unlikely deal between divisional rivals. They could have proposed trading one disgruntled player for another to see if new beginnings for both players would be the formula for a win-win scenario for both teams. Would a trade have been likely, probably not, but it could've opened dialog and given the teams an avenue to explore options.

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How all signs point to Astros having another gear to hit

Jeremy Pena and Isaac Paredes have been the Astros' best hitters. Composite Getty Image.

It’s May 1, and the Astros are turning heads—but not for the reasons anyone expected. Their resurgence, driven not by stars like Yordan Alvarez or Christian Walker, but by a cast of less-heralded names, is writing a strange and telling early-season story.

Christian Walker, brought in to add middle-of-the-order thump, has yet to resemble the feared hitter he was in Arizona. Forget the narrative of a slow starter—he’s never looked like this in April. Through March and April of 2025, he’s slashing a worrying .196/.277/.355 with a .632 OPS. Compare that to the same stretch in 2024, when he posted a .283 average, .496 slug, and a robust .890 OPS, and it becomes clear: this is something more than rust. Even in 2023, his April numbers (.248/.714 OPS) looked steadier.

What’s more troubling than the overall dip is when it’s happening. Walker is faltering in the biggest moments. With runners in scoring position, he’s hitting just .143 over 33 plate appearances, including 15 strikeouts. The struggles get even more glaring with two outs—.125 average, .188 slugging, and a .451 OPS in 19 such plate appearances. In “late and close” situations, when the pressure’s highest, he’s practically disappeared: 1-for-18 with a .056 average and a .167 OPS.

His patience has waned (only 9 walks so far, compared to 20 by this time last year), and for now, his presence in the lineup feels more like a placeholder than a pillar.

The contrast couldn’t be clearer when you look at José Altuve—long the engine of this franchise—who, in 2024, delivered in the moments Walker is now missing. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Altuve hit .275 with an .888 OPS. In late and close situations, he thrived with a .314 average and .854 OPS. That kind of situational excellence is missing from this 2025 squad—but someone else may yet step into that role.

And yet—the Astros are winning. Not because of Walker, but in spite of him.

Houston’s offense, in general, hasn’t lit up the leaderboard. Their team OPS ranks 23rd (.667), their slugging 25th (.357), and they sit just 22nd in runs scored (117). They’re 26th in doubles, a rare place for a team built on gap-to-gap damage.

But where there’s been light, it hasn’t come from the usual spots. Jeremy Peña, often overshadowed in a lineup full of stars, now boasts the team’s highest OPS at .791 (Isaac Paredes is second in OPS) and is flourishing in his new role as the leadoff hitter. Peña’s balance of speed, contact, aggression, and timely power has given Houston a surprising tone-setter at the top.

Even more surprising: four Astros currently have more home runs than Yordan Alvarez.

And then there’s the pitching—Houston’s anchor. The rotation and bullpen have been elite, ranking 5th in ERA (3.23), 1st in WHIP (1.08), and 4th in batting average against (.212). In a season where offense is lagging and clutch hits are rare, the arms have made all the difference.

For now, it’s the unexpected contributors keeping Houston afloat. Peña’s emergence. A rock-solid pitching staff. Role players stepping up in quiet but crucial ways. They’re not dominating, but they’re grinding—and in a sluggish AL West, that may be enough.

Walker still has time to find his swing. He showed some signs of life against Toronto and Detroit. If he does, the Astros could become dangerous. If he doesn’t, the turnaround we’re witnessing will be credited to a new cast of unlikely faces. And maybe, that’s the story that needed to be written.

We have so much more to discuss. 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!

*ChatGPT assisted.

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