A Look At The AAC
UH fought hard and came up short; seven AAC teams are bowl eligible now
Dec 4, 2019, 6:55 am
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We've come to the end of the road in the AAC regular season. It's been quite the ride. We've seen old powers return to form, and newcomers show promise, while some has fallen from grace. Here's my take on Week 14 in the AAC:
UH failed to stop Navy; future looks promising
The Coogs lost to the Midshipmen 56-41. This game reminded me of a boxing or MMA match in which one fighter was always a step ahead of the other. Just when the Coogs would land a nice combo, the Midshipmen would counter with something more fierce. Though they ended this season with a 4-8 record in Dana Holgorsen's first year bcack as head coach, you can see the promise this team has moving forward. There's some talent on this team that'll be returning, plus there's more talent coming in via transfer and new recruits. Either way, I see Holgorsen's vision for this program and love what's coming. When you remodel an existing home, there's a period of ugliness it goes through. You have to tear stuff out, rebuild, and redo before it can be beautiful again. Holgorsen is doing just that. This season wasn't a homecoming queen. It was more like the awkward freshman who is present at all events and functions, but chills on the perimeter. However, that same awkward kid blossoms into something so beautiful after some fine tuning and seasoning, nobody thought it was possible in that freshman year. Give it some time Coog fans. I think this is the start of something beautiful.
Other Key Results
#18 Memphis 34, #19 Cincinnati 24: These two teams will play next week in a rematch for the AAC title game and a shot at the top Group of Five school for a possible New Years Six bowl birth.
SMU 37, Tulane 20: The Mustangs continued to roll as the Green Wave continued to slide. Although Tulane is bowl eligible with a 6-6 record, I doubt they make a bowl game unless there's a shortage of teams eligible. Meanwhile, SMU has made its case for a decent bowl with their 10-2 record.
UCF 34, USF 7: This game is only a talking point because it led to the firing of USF coach Charlie Strong. The Golden Knights have been on a roll even after Scott Frost left and McKenzie Hilton suffered a career-threatening injury. Strong is best served as a defensive coordinator. Here's to hoping he gets another job because he's a good dude by all acounts.
Stars Of The Week
Damonte Croxie, WR, Memphis: With six catches for 145 yards and a touchdown, Croxie accounted for 40% of the receptions, 62% of the receiving yards, and half of the receiving touchdowns for the Tigers.
Clayton Tune, QB, UH: The presumed backup next season for D'Eriq King went 23/35 for 393 yards and four touchdowns against Navy in a loss. If King decides to leave for greener pastures (something I don't see happening), the program is in good hands with Tune.
Jamale Carothers, RB, Navy: With 188 yards on just 18 carries, Carothers had a helluva game. His five touchdowns were more of a wow factor than his 10+ yards per carry average.
Games To Watch This Week
#20 Cincinnati vs #17 Memphis: The AAC Championship game will determine if one of these schools will possibly get a New Years Six bowl game. I expwct another good game, but the same result as the game they just played this past week.
Army @ Navy: This is one of the best and most interesting rivalry games in college football. The pagentry and tradition that surrounds it are unmatched. It's the most Merica thing outside of wearing a bald eagle with stars and stripes shirt.
Players To Watch This Week
Malcolm Perry, Navy: I can see a big game coming from Perry since Carothers was the one to get the shine vs UH. Rivalry games seem to bring out the best in top players.
Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis: While he had a decent game against Cincy last week, it wasn't his best. You can bet he's chomping at the bit to show what he can do this week in their rematch.
Brady White, Memphis: If Gainwell and the run game don't get the Tigers going, look for White and the pass game to take over to propel the Tigers to an AAC title.
The trade deadline is this Thursday, and Cedric Mullins could be available. Photo via: Wiki Commons.
With the trade deadline less than a week away, the Astros will look to become buyers to maintain their status as one of the best teams in baseball.
It's no secret that Houston is dealing with a myriad of injuries and could make a move or two to help offset their losses.
Astros general manager Dana Brown has already been on the record saying the team will be "prioritizing bats" to improve their roster before the July 31 deadline.
Last year, Houston needed a starting pitcher, so they acquired Yusei Kikuchi before the trade deadline.
This season is the opposite, for the Astros will be looking to add either an infielder or an outfielder to their lineup.
Players like Jeremy Pena and Yordan Alvarez are expected to return in August, but others, such as Isaac Paredes and Jake Meyers, may be out for an extended period. Thus, giving the Astros a need to upgrade both third base and their outfield.
Luckily, there are plenty of players the Astros could pursue to fill those voids.
Willi Castro
Recent reports have connected Houston with Minnesota Twins super utility man Willi Castro.
The 28-year-old is a versatile switch-hitter who can play multiple positions and would essentially be another Mauricio Dubon but with slightly better offensive numbers this season.
The Puerto Rico native has a .254/.342/.423 slash line and 10 homers in 331 plate appearances this year and could give Houston a much-needed consistent bat to help mitigate their offensive struggles.
With the uncertainty of Parades' injury, it would behoove the Astros to move Dubon to third base full-time and make Castro their new utility player if this trade were to come to fruition.
Eugenio Suárez
Multiple teams, including the Astros, have had conversations about acquiring third baseman Eugenio Suárez.
Recent reports have indicated Houston is interested in the 34-year-old slugger and may have the pieces to pull this trade off.
With the injury to Isaac Parades, the Astros need a third baseman to make up for his absence and production.
Suárez would more than fill the hole at third, as he is tied with Kyle Schwarber for second place in the National League in home runs (36) and could see his power numbers increase by playing more games at Daikin Park.
The Venezuelan native will become a free agent at season's end, so it shouldn't cost the Astros a king's ransom to acquire him.
Nolan Arenado
Another third baseman who has been on the Astros' radar is Nolan Arenado.
During the offseason, there was a deal in place to bring the Platinum Glove Award-winning player to Houston. Ultimately, Arenado used his no-trade clause to block the move, as it was indicated he was unsure of the Astros' future.
Fast-forward to July, and the Astros are one of the best teams in baseball, and the Cardinals are a team slightly above .500 with an outside shot to make the postseason.
St. Louis would be willing to move on from Arenado for the right price, and he would be an instant upgrade at third base for the Astros.
This season, the 8x All-Star has seen his offensive numbers decline, but continues to be one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball.
Similar to Suarez, Arenado could see his offensive numbers increase playing at the more hitter-friendly Daikin Park and would give the Astros an upgrade at third base while Parades is out.
Nonetheless, we might want to pump the brakes. According to a recent report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Arenado is no longer being considered a trade option by Houston.
Cedric Mullins
Last month, reports indicated the Astros were in talks with the Orioles about acquiring outfielder Cedric Mullins.
The North Carolina native is posting career-low numbers this season offensively, but a change in scenery could be just what he needs.
Mullins has a career slash line of .249/.317/.423 and would give the Astros an upgrade in centerfield over what they currently have.
Houston currently has either Chas McCormick or Taylor Trammell in center. Mullins could step in and become the everyday center fielder and would likely move to left field once Meyers returns.
The 30-year-old shouldn't cost too much to acquire, for he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
Given the Astros' long list of injuries, Mullins could be a much-needed depth piece to give them options in their lineup down the stretch.
Ryan O'Hearn
This season, Ryan O'Hearn is having a career year at the plate and was the American League's starting designated hitter at the All-Star Game.
The former Sam Houston State product will be sought after by multiple teams ahead of Thursday's deadline, as he plays on a last-place Orioles team and has an expiring contract.
O'Hearn would be a low-risk, high-reward rental player the Astros could utilize in the outfield, at first base or as their primary designated hitter until Yordan Alvarez returns and alternate the two in left field and at DH.
Acquiring the 32-year-old shouldn't cost too much and would give the Astros a consistent bat to add to their lineup.
Another starting pitcher
Houston is about to get some reinforcements when pitchers Cristian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti, Luis Garcia and J.P. France all return in some capacity from their rehab assignments.
Despite the influx of starting pitchers the team will be receiving, one can never be too safe, and the Astros could still be in the market for more arms.
Sandy Alcantara's name has surfaced in recent trade rumors and would be a dream acquisition if the Astros could acquire the former Cy-Young Award winner.
A more realistic option would be Mitch Keller from the Pirates.
The 29-year-old has a 4-10 record with a 3.53 ERA on a last-place Pittsburgh team that doesn't score a lot of runs (just look at Paul Skenes' run support numbers).
Keller is likely to be on the move before Thursday's deadline, and the Astros could also use another quality starting pitcher to bolster their rotation.
Other options could be Miami Marlins hurler Edward Cabrera or Sonny Gray from the Cardinals, just to name a few.
It is more likely that Houston will look to add position players, but it wouldn't be surprising if the team were to see what pitching options are available ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
So long as Dana Brown makes the right moves and players return from injuries promptly, the Astros will be well-positioned to make another playoff run and remain as one of the best teams in baseball.