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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-rumors-players-houston-looking-trade-christian-walker-jake-meyers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros rumors: 2 players Houston is looking to trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Astros-GM-Dana-Brown-and-manager-Joe-Espada.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros rumors: 2 players Houston is looking to trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-11T15:19:19-08:00">December 11th, 3:19pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-11T15:19:19-08:00">December 11th, 3:19pm</time><address><a>Matt Wadleigh</a>Matt Wadleigh is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints who used to lead NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball coverage while also specializing in MLB and NFL coverage. He was born and raised in Oceanside and resides in Fresno with his wife and two dogs. Matthew is a huge Southern California sports fan and a retired member of the Fresno State drumline.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros are once again involved in some trade rumblings. One player linked to the Boston Red Sox is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/mlb-rumors-red-sox-isaac-paredes-trade-astros">Isaac Paredes, but the Astros won’t let him go easily in a trade</a>.</p><p>With the MLB Winter Meetings at a close, trade talks and free agency buzz will continue over the next couple of months.</p><p>While it remains to be seen which direction Houston will go in this time around, Jim Bowden of The Athletic mentioned the Astros are <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6882669/2025/12/11/mlb-winter-meetings-takeaways-pete-alonso-tarik-skubal-freddy-peralta/" rel="noopener">looking to</a> trade two players.</p><p>“The Cardinals will move Brendan Donovan, the Giants will listen on Bryce Eldridge, the Padres are shopping Jake Cronenworth and Nick Pivetta, the Astros are trying to move Christian Walker and Jake Meyers, the Royals will move a starter for a power-hitting left fielder and the Red Sox will trade Jarren Duran if they get the right corner infielder or starting pitcher.”</p><p>Walker finished the 2025 season hitting . 238 with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-christian-walker-nolan-arenado-trade-fiasco">Walker just signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Astros last offseason</a>, so moving on this early would be a surprise.</p><p>Meyers turns 30 years old in June, but he hit .292 with three home runs and 24 RBIs in 104 games for the Astros. Still, he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-pirates-royals-linked-astros-jake-meyers-trade-talks">has been garnering trade interest</a>, and teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals were named as options going into the MLB Winter Meetings.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/mlb-rumors-astros-sp-trade-expected-loss-framber-valdez">Astros are also expected to see pitcher Framber Valdez leave in free agency,</a> so there are some things they have to figure out going forward.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros rumors: 2 players Houston is looking to trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-perfect-trade-offer-for-brewers-freddy-peralta');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ perfect trade offer for Brewers’ Freddy Peralta');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Astros-perfect-trade-offer-for-Brewers-Freddy-Peralta-.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros’ perfect trade offer for Brewers’ Freddy Peralta</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-11T04:55:05-08:00">December 11th, 4:55am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-11T04:55:05-08:00">December 11th, 4:55am</time><address><a>Garrett Kerman</a>Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros find themselves at a critical juncture this winter, needing to bolster a rotation that has been besieged by injuries and free-agent departures. While the Milwaukee Brewers have publicly stated their intention to retain Freddy Peralta for the final year of his favorable contract, the reality of the market often dictates otherwise.</p><p>General Manager Dana Brown has been aggressive in maintaining Houston’s championship window, and acquiring a legitimate No. 2 starter is the priority. The Brewers are operating from a position of strength, possessing a rotation surplus anchored by Brandon Woodruff and young arms like Jacob Misiorowski.</p><p>However, Milwaukee’s front office has never shied away from a deal that maximizes long-term value, even if it means moving a fan favorite. A “blow away” offer is the only thing that will move the needle for a Brewers team that sees itself as a contender in the National League Central.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/milwaukee-brewers/brewers-rumors-freddy-peralta-trade-buzz-winter-meetings">There has been buzz surrounding Peralta during the Winter Meetings,</a> and the Astros are one of the few teams with the motivation to get a trade done. Houston’s farm system may not be ranked at the top of the league, but they possess specific high-ceiling talent that aligns perfectly with Milwaukee’s player development strengths.</p><h2>The Trade Proposal for Freddy Peralta</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Brewers-pitcher-Freddy-Peralta-51-leaves-the-mound.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Benny Sieu-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><b>Houston Astros receive:</b></p><ul><li>RHP Freddy Peralta</li></ul><p><b>Milwaukee Brewers receive:</b></p><ul><li>OF Jacob Melton</li><li>RHP Miguel Ullola</li><li>OF  Zach Dezenzo</li></ul><h2>Why Houston Makes the Deal</h2><p>The Astros are acquiring a pitcher who fits their analytical model perfectly, specifically relying on a high-extension fastball that remains effective despite lower velocity trends in the league. Peralta has averaged a 3.30 ERA since 2021 and has proven his durability by clearing 165 innings in each of the past three seasons.</p><p>This consistency is exactly what Houston needs to stabilize a rotation that has relied too heavily on unproven depth in recent playoff runs. At just $8 million for the upcoming season, Peralta is a financial bargain that allows the Astros to add an ace-caliber arm without pushing their luxury tax payroll into unsustainable territory.</p><p>His low release point and extension create a unique approach angle that plays well in Minute Maid Park, where fly-ball pitchers can sometimes struggle with the Crawford Boxes. Peralta’s ability to miss bats with his fastball and plus changeup gives Houston the swing-and-miss merchant they need to counter the elite lineups in the American League.</p><p>Furthermore, acquiring a starter with proven postseason experience is invaluable for a franchise that measures success solely by World Series titles. Giving up a top outfield prospect like Melton is painful, but the Astros have immediate outfield answers and can afford to trade future value for present certainty.</p><p>The window for the current Astros core is slowly closing, and waiting for prospects to develop is a luxury they cannot currently afford. By consolidating three prospect assets into one frontline starter, they maximize their 2026 roster for a deep run.</p><h2>Why Milwaukee Cannot Say No</h2><p>The Brewers are dealing from a position of immense depth, with Quinn Priester and Jacob Misiorowski ready to take on larger roles in the rotation alongside Woodruff. While losing Peralta hurts the 2026 rotation on paper, the return package addresses multiple long-term holes in the organization.</p><p>Getting a near-MLB-ready outfielder allows Milwaukee to continue their youth movement while maintaining offensive production from the outfield spots. The inclusion of a high-strikeout arm like Ullola gives the Brewers’ renowned pitching development lab a new project with elite raw stuff to mold into their next breakout star.</p><p>Milwaukee’s model relies on sustainable success through constant retooling, and turning one year of Peralta into six years of control over three high-upside players is the epitome of that philosophy. The Brewers know that Peralta’s value will never be higher than it is right now before he hits free agency next winter.</p><p>If they wait until the trade deadline, the return will be diminished, and they risk injury depreciating his value entirely. This trade allows them to remain competitive in 2026 while simultaneously extending their championship window into the next decade.</p><p>Accepting this deal removes the risk of losing Peralta for nothing but a compensatory pick after the season. For a small-market team, maximizing asset value is the only way to survive, and this package offers a blend of immediate help and future upside that is simply too good to pass up.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ perfect trade offer for Brewers’ Freddy Peralta

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-pirates-royals-linked-astros-jake-meyers-trade-talks');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Pirates, Royals linked to Astros’ Jake Meyers trade talks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Astros-Jake-Meyers.jpg"><figcaption>© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Pirates, Royals linked to Astros’ Jake Meyers trade talks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T09:52:57-08:00">December 9th, 9:52am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T09:53:17-08:00">December 9th, 9:53am</time><address><a>Benjamin Adducchio</a>Benjamin Adducchio is a journalist and writer with more than a decade of experience in covering sports news. Ben is a passionate sports fan who loves college football, basketball, and the New York Yankees.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Trade talks <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/3-blockbuster-mlb-trades-need-happen-blow-up-offseason">continue this offseason for several players in Major League Baseball</a>, during the league’s winter meetings in Orlando, Florida. Another player getting discussed in trade talks is Houston Astros outfielder Jake Meyers. The Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6874837/2025/12/09/mlb-trade-market-winter-meetings-ketel-marte/" rel="noopener">are apparently talking</a> to Houston about a possible deal, per The Athletic.</p><p>Houston is in need of pitching this offseason.</p><p>“They have spoken to the Pittsburgh Pirates about righty Mike Burrows, but those talks may have cooled since the Pirates acquired outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia from the Red Sox. The Kansas City Royals, dangling lefty Kris Bubic, are another possibility for Meyers, but they are exploring numerous other outfield possibilities as well,” Ken Rosenthal wrote.</p><p>Houston is also apparently speaking with Tampa Bay, about sending Meyers to the Rays in exchange for right-handed pitcher Shane Baz. The Astros are reportedly offering Meyers for other Tampa Bay starters as well.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-bob-nightengale-pirates-ketel-marte-trade-diamondbacks">Pirates have been in talks this offseason with teams</a>, offering pitching for offense. Kansas City is meanwhile rumored to be wanting some outfield help this offseason.</p><h2><b>Jake Meyers could be a sold addition to an MLB team</b></h2><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-jake-meyers-ties-yordan-alvarez-with-epic-franchise-record-vs-white-sox">Meyers has proven to be a solid bat during his time in MLB</a>. In the 2025 season, the outfielder hit at a .292 batting average. He collected 100 total hits, including three home runs on the campaign.</p><p>The outfielder’s best campaign with the Astros came in 2024. That season Meyers hit a career-high 13 home runs, and posted a career-high 61 RBIs. He is also known as an excellent defender.</p><p>There are other teams rumored to be interested in Meyers. The Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/royals-reds-among-teams-with-interest-in-jake-meyers.html" rel="noopener">have also checked in</a> with the Astros about him, per MLB Trade Rumors.</p><p>Meyers has played in Houston since the 2021 season. He was a part of the team’s 2022 World Series championship campaign. Meyers has posted more than 1,400 at-bats since he has been in Houston.</p><p>Houston finished the 2025 season with a 87-75 record, and placed second in the American League West.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Pirates, Royals linked to Astros’ Jake Meyers trade talks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/boston-red-sox/mlb-rumors-red-sox-isaac-paredes-trade-astros');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Red Sox targeting Isaac Paredes trade. Here’s what Astros want');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Isaac-Paredes-reacts-after-striking-out-in-2025.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Red Sox targeting Isaac Paredes trade. Here’s what Astros want</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T07:59:43-08:00">December 9th, 7:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T07:59:43-08:00">December 9th, 7:59am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Red Sox</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Red Sox have already been one of the busiest teams this offseason. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-news-red-sox-cardinals-sonny-gray-trade-sparks-flurry-of-reactions">Acquiring Sonny Gray via trade</a> gave the Red Sox another quality starting pitcher alongside Garrett Crochet. The ball club is reportedly <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/red-sox-rumors-should-boston-pursue-alex-bregman-pete-alonso-free-agency">open to a reunion with third baseman Alex Bregman</a> as well. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Sox <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6874837/2025/12/09/mlb-trade-market-winter-meetings-ketel-marte/" rel="noopener">are also interested</a> in Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes.</p><p>Trading for Paredes would prove to be a difficult task, though. He’s a versatile 26-year-old who can play first base, third base and second base. A two-time All-Star, the Astros certainly value Paredes. Even if a long-term contract extension doesn’t come to fruition between Houston and Paredes, the Astros won’t be in a rush to trade him. The infielder is under team control through 2027.</p><p>Rosenthal wrote that Houston would be interested in either Payton Tolle or Connelly Early. The Red Sox have pitching depth, so it will be interesting to see if they would be open to moving either pitcher.</p><p>The Gray addition makes the idea of moving one of the young hurlers much more realistic. Without Gray, Boston’s rotation would have more question marks. With Gray and Crochet leading the way, and with pitchers such as Patrick Sandoval, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford also on the roster, moving Early or Tolle to boost the offense is a possible move.</p><p>There are no guarantees that the Astros will even want to trade Paredes this offseason. If he is made available in trade talks, though, it seems as if the Red Sox will consider making an offer.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Red Sox targeting Isaac Paredes trade. Here’s what Astros want

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-rumors-houston-targeting-al-east-pitcher-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros rumors: Houston targeting AL East pitcher in possible trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Astros-rumors-Houston-targeting-AL-East-pitcher-in-possible-trade.jpg"><figcaption>Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros rumors: Houston targeting AL East pitcher in possible trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-08T19:01:59-08:00">December 8th, 7:01pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-08T19:01:59-08:00">December 8th, 7:01pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros have returned to the spotlight as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-astros-orioles-circling-ranger-suarez-free-agency">offseason Astros trade rumors intensify</a> around their interest in Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Shane Baz, a Houston native whose move would mark a notable homecoming for the club’s rotation. In a report co-written by The Athletic’s Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal, the writers <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6874175/2025/12/08/shane-baz-astros-pitching-search/" rel="noopener">noted that</a> Houston has shown real interest in Baz, though no deal is believed to be close at this stage.</p><p>The report detailed that the two teams have discussed the framework of a potential trade. While some league sources view a move as unlikely, others indicate the clubs have kept communication open as the Astros search for controllable pitching.</p><p>The push for a starter aligns with comments made by general manager Dana Brown, who reiterated his offseason priority.</p><p>“The priority is starting pitching,” Brown said. “That’s been the main thing the whole offseason, so we’re trying to keep the main thing the main thing.”</p><p>With veteran ace Framber Valdez headed for free agency, Houston is looking to solidify its staff around Hunter Brown. The front office has targeted “young, controllable arms” over expensive free agents — a clear sign the organization is focusing on long-term depth and cost efficiency.</p><p>Baz, who logged a 4.87 ERA across 166.1 innings last season, is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter and under team control through 2028. His underlying metrics suggest better results ahead, and Houston sees him as a buy-low candidate with top-end upside if healthy.</p><p>Tampa Bay’s willingness to even discuss Baz hints at potential risk, but Houston remains intrigued. With prospects like Jacob Melton and Zach Cole emerging, outfielder Jake Meyers could serve as a key trade piece to get a deal done.</p><p>If discussions gain traction, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-dana-brown-breaks-silence-on-future-after-disappointing-season">the Astros</a> could position themselves to bring a hometown arm back to stabilize the rotation and shape the tone of their 2026 push.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros rumors: Houston targeting AL East pitcher in possible trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jose-altuve-wbc-venezuela');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jose Altuve still decided on playing in WBC for Venezuela');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Jose-Altuvee.jpg"><figcaption>Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Jose Altuve still decided on playing in WBC for Venezuela</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-08T15:57:11-08:00">December 8th, 3:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-08T15:57:11-08:00">December 8th, 3:57pm</time><address><a>Zachary Draves</a>Zachary Draves is a sportswriter and broadcaster based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Zachary covers a variety of different sports as well as sports history, sport and society, and sport and culture. He is also a professor of sociology.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It was a disappointing season for the Houston Astros <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-biggest-disappointment-after-missing-mlb-playoffs" rel="noopener">since they didn’t make the playoffs</a>. At the same time, second baseman Jose Altuve <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-manager-provides-jose-altuve-update-foot-procedure" rel="noopener">was hampered by a season-ending foot injury</a>. </p><p>As he embarks on his recovery, he <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1998156180787740932" rel="noopener">hasn’t made up his mind</a> as to whether he will play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. According to Astros manager Joe Espada, there is no set time as to when Altuve will decide.</p><p>Altuve finished the season batting .265 with 156 hits, 26 home runs, 77 RBIs, and 80 runs scored. Meanwhile, the Astros finished the year with a record of 87-75. As a result, they missed the postseason for the first time since 2016. </p><p>The World Baseball Classic is scheduled for March 5-17. Altogether, Venezuela has played in every WBC since the inaugural tournament in 2006. In 2009, they achieved their best finish by reaching the semifinals and finishing third. During the 2013 tournament, Venezuela finished in 10th place.</p><p>In 2023, they reached the quarterfinals. It was during that tournament that Altuve <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jose-altuve-take-playing-team-venezuela-world-baseball-classic" rel="noopener">broke his right thumb</a> after being hit by a pitch by Team USA’s Daniel Bard in the quarterfinal. Some big names have played for Venezuela, including Miguel Cabrera, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Salvador Perez. </p><h2><b>Venezuela is expected to be a contender in the 2026 WBC</b>.</h2><p>If Altuve returns to play, he would add a dimension of power to the offense to the lineup. They are expected to add depth behind the plate with the likes of William and Willson Contreras, Gabriel Moreno, and Francisco Alvarez.</p><p>Nevertheless, they are not expected to retain depth in pitching, as Pablo López and Luis García are expected to be out due to injuries. </p><p>They will be up against a stacked Team USA and the defending champions, Japan, featuring Shohei Ohtani. Either way, Venezuela will be hard to miss during the tournament. </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jose Altuve still decided on playing in WBC for Venezuela

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-perfect-trade-offer-for-nationals-mackenzie-gore');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ perfect trade offer for Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Astros-perfect-trade-offer-for-Nationals-MacKenzie-Gore.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros’ perfect trade offer for Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-06T17:05:05-08:00">December 6th, 5:05pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-06T17:05:05-08:00">December 6th, 5:05pm</time><address><a>Garrett Kerman</a>Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros face a critical juncture this offseason, and addressing their rotation depth has become the defining priority. With Hunter Brown carrying an unrealistic burden as the sole reliable ace, the front office must act decisively to acquire proven starting pitching talent. One target that stands out as an ideal fit is Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore, an All-Star performer with multiple years of control and the upside to anchor a contending rotation.</p><p>The math works. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/washington-nationals/mlb-rumors-nationals-mackenzie-gore-emerging-as-serious-trade-candidate">The Nationals are in rebuild mode</a> and would benefit more from injecting young talent into their system than holding onto an arbitration-eligible pitcher with an uncertain contract future. Gore is a Scott Boras client unlikely to extend with Washington, meaning his trade value decreases with each passing year. The Astros can meet the Nationals’ asking price with a package that addresses their organizational needs while remaining fair to both sides.</p><h2>The Trade Proposal</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nationals-P-Mason-Thompson.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><b>Houston Astros receive:</b></p><ul><li>LHP MacKenzie Gore</li></ul><p>Washington Nationals receive:</p><ul><li>OF Jacob Melton</li><li>SS Brice Matthews</li><li>RHP Miguel Ullola</li><li>LHP Brandon Walter</li></ul><h2>Why This Deal Makes Sense</h2><p>Jacob Melton represents the crown jewel of this package. The second-ranked prospect in Houston’s system provides the Nationals with an outfield piece with legitimate power upside. His 109 mph average exit velocity and 113 mph peak velocity demonstrate true offensive ceiling, and his platoon potential against left-handers actually fits modern roster construction. His defensive metrics in center field grade as elite—a 70 on the scouting scale—making him a foundational piece for a rebuilding franchise.</p><p>Brice Matthews adds another young infield piece with star potential. The 2023 first-rounder from Nebraska projects as a plus defensive shortstop with 20-25 home run pop and elite speed. Matthews stole 32 bases en route to Triple-A last season and has the athleticism and intelligence scouts covet. For Washington, Matthews represents a long-term answer at shortstop with club control through his arbitration years.</p><p>Miguel Ullola brings low-cost depth to the Nationals’ rotation. The 23-year-old right-hander spent the 2025 season improving and offers the Nationals a cost-controlled arm with potential to develop into a mid-rotation starter. His youth allows Washington flexibility to either integrate him into their system or flip him at the deadline for additional assets.</p><p>Brandon Walter rounds out the package as salary relief and organizational depth. The left-hander provides the Nationals additional pitching depth without demanding significant investment. His veteran presence could prove valuable in a rebuilding clubhouse.</p><h2>The Astros’ Logic</h2><p>For Houston, Gore transforms the rotation entirely. The 26-year-old lefty logged 185 strikeouts across 159⅔ innings in 2025, demonstrating the strikeout prowess and durability the Astros desperately need. His contract runs through 2027 at arbitration rates, providing multiple years of control at reasonable cost—perfect for an organization operating under payroll constraints.</p><p>Gore’s elite strikeout production provides the innings quality Hunter Brown cannot generate alone. Pairing Gore with Brown creates a formidable ace-and-two foundation, while Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr. round out a suddenly respectable rotation. The Astros finally address their single greatest weakness without sacrificing too much present-day roster depth.</p><h2>The Nationals’ Perspective</h2><p>Washington eliminates an arbitration risk and receives tangible young talent addressing immediate organizational needs. The club controls Melton and Matthews through their prime arbitration years, aligning with the team’s competitive timeline. Receiving three position player prospects and one young pitcher demonstrates the Nationals’ commitment to rebuilding the right way while managing payroll efficiently.</p><p>This deal represents the kind of win-win trade that shapes franchises. The Astros inject proven stardom into their rotation while surrendering expendable organizational depth. The Nationals accelerate their rebuild timeline with multiple controllable assets. Gore thrives pitching for a contender while the Nationals pivot toward sustainable growth.</p><p>The Winter Meetings await. It’s time for both organizations to make the bold move that changes their trajectories.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ perfect trade offer for Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-astros-orioles-circling-ranger-suarez-free-agency');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Astros, Orioles circling Ranger Suarez in free agency');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ranger-Suarez.jpg"><figcaption>Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Astros, Orioles circling Ranger Suarez in free agency</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-05T08:14:29-08:00">December 5th, 8:14am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-05T08:14:29-08:00">December 5th, 8:14am</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut-based sports journalist with over five years of professional experience. After graduating from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism, he has covered every sport from fencing to football in the online and print medium. Dan hopes to see his beloved Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Baltimore Orioles</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The first major MLB free agency starting pitching domino fell <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/toronto-blue-jays/blue-jays-news-lands-dylan-cease-210-million-blockbuster-deal">when Dylan Cease inked a $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays</a>. However, there are still plenty of big names still on the market.</p><p>Chief among them <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-news-ranger-suarez-sets-new-career-high-in-incredible-start-vs-mets">is Philadelphia Phillies standout Ranger Suarez</a>. He will be the top pitching target on many team’s wish list. That includes the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros, <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47201350/mlb-winter-meetings-2025-offseason-free-agency-trade-intel-rumors-updates-buster-olney-jeff-passan" rel="noopener">who both highly covet</a> Suarez, via Jeff Passan and Buster Olney of ESPN.</p><p>“Teams in the mix for Suarez believe he’s the next big-time starter off the board,” Olney and Passan wrote. “Though the 30-year-old won’t fetch a Dylan Cease-level deal, he long has been a target for Houston, which balks at deals beyond six years, and Baltimore, which is seeking a top-end rotation piece.”</p><p>Suarez was named an All-Star during the 2024 campaign after putting up a 3.46 ERA and a 145/41 K/BB ratio. His numbers improved in 2025, with a 3.20 ERA and a 151/38 K/BB ratio. But <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-news-ranger-suarez-declined-all-star-game-invitation">Suarez decided to decline an All-Star invitation</a> in favor of rest. With or without the official title, MLB franchises still see the left-hander as a top of the line talent. He has produced a 3.38 ERA and 705/204 K/BB ratio over his eight-year MLB career.</p><p>The Orioles are in need of a front line starter after seeing Corbin Burnes depart for the Arizona Diamondbacks last free agency. Suarez would immediately become their ace, while signing him would prove Baltimore is serious about competing.</p><p>While they may be coming off a down year, the Astros are built to win. Adding Suarez would only make them a stronger contender. Especially if fellow free agent Framber Valdez decides to walk.</p><p>Baltimore and Houston won’t be the only team vying for Suarez’s services. But it wouldn’t be a shock to see either squad land the left-hander.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Astros, Orioles circling Ranger Suarez in free agency

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-pitcher-trade-cubs');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros quietly lands pitcher in trade with Cubs');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/George-Springer-2017.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros quietly lands pitcher in trade with Cubs</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-04T17:56:45-08:00">December 4th, 5:56pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-04T17:56:45-08:00">December 4th, 5:56pm</time><address><a>Zachary Draves</a>Zachary Draves is a sportswriter and broadcaster based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Zachary covers a variety of different sports as well as sports history, sport and society, and sport and culture. He is also a professor of sociology.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>During this off-season, the Houston Astros have been <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-signs-diamondbacks-draftee-after-kbo-stint" rel="noopener">emphasizing going after pitchers</a>. On Thursday, that continued when the Astros <a href="https://x.com/Feinsand/status/1996743623598039534" rel="noopener">officially announced</a> they had acquired RHP Nico Zeglin from the Chicago Cubs, virtually in the middle of the night, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. </p><p>Since 2021, Zeglin has journeyed from his way college at Gonzaga to the minor leagues and one stint in the Mexican League. In the span of two years in the minors, he had compiled a record of 7-0 with a 0.95 ERA and 90 strikeouts. </p><p>Additionally, they relinquished the funds from the international bonus pool. The Astros are coming off a season in which they finished 87-75 and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-biggest-disappointment-after-missing-mlb-playoffs" rel="noopener">didn’t make the playoffs</a>. When it came to pitching, the Astros had a solid core but struggled with depth. As a result, Houston is looking to build up the pitching rotation. </p><p>Meanwhile, Zeglin shows great promise. His high strikeout total is a strong indicator of that. The same holds for his wins and ERA. This year, Zeglin had missed the entire season due to injury. </p><h2><b>How would Nico Zeglin fit into the Astros mix</b>?</h2><p>As was said, the Astros are desperately in need of depth when it comes to pitching. Both Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti are expected to return. This past year, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-spencer-arrighetti-gives-grim-injury-news-after-bullpen-session" rel="noopener">Arrighetti experienced an elbow injury</a>. Meanwhile, Framber Valdez <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/mlb-rumors-astros-sp-trade-expected-loss-framber-valdez" rel="noopener">decided to declare for free agency</a>. </p><p>Also, young pitchers Lance McCullers Jr., J.P. France, Colton Gordon, and Jason Alexander aren’t expected to show a tremendous amount of consistency at this point. All have had to endure periods of inconsistency and injuries. </p><p>Recently, the Astros signed Tsung-Chieh Weiss from Korea. As a result, Zeglin will be able to find a place amongst a rotation that has potential, but needs growth. Therefore, it would ideally be a good fit for him given his recent track record. </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros quietly lands pitcher in trade with Cubs

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jose-altuve-buzzer-theory-josh-reddick');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros veteran Jose Altuve’s ex-teammate tells Yankees fans to give it a rest with buzzer theory');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Astros-news-Jose-Altuves-ex-teammate-tells-Yankees-fans-to-give-it-a-rest-with-buzzer-theory.jpg"><figcaption>Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros veteran Jose Altuve’s ex-teammate tells Yankees fans to give it a rest with buzzer theory</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-04T13:20:56-08:00">December 4th, 1:20pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-04T13:20:56-08:00">December 4th, 1:20pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Discussions around the Houston Astros resurfaced Thursday when former Astros outfielder Josh Reddick reignited the long-running debate surrounding <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/what-astros-sign-stealing-scandal-means-baseball">the Jose Altuve buzzer theory</a>. The conversation arrived as the Astros continued to navigate lingering narratives tied to the 2019 MLB postseason, and it quickly sparked new reactions from Yankees fans who still revisit the moment. Reddick’s comments also added fresh context to the Altuve buzzer theory itself, shifting attention back to the interview that brought the Astros scandal debate into view again.</p><p>During an <a href="https://x.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1996663058089808320">appearance</a> on the Foul Territory show, Reddick addressed the years of speculation surrounding Altuve’s refusal to have his jersey ripped after his walk-off in the 2019 ALCS. He said the moment had nothing to do with hidden technology and stemmed only from embarrassment over a tattoo Altuve had just gotten. Reddick, who played alongside Altuve for four seasons, laid out his reasoning before offering his most direct description yet. The popular baseball show later took to its X (formerly known as Twitter), sharing the following video from the Astros outfielder.</p><p>“If you’ve ever seen this tattoo that he had on his chest, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen done.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"If you've ever seen this tattoo that he had on his chest, it's the worst I've ever seen done."<a href="https://twitter.com/JRedDubDeuce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JRedDubDeuce</a> wants Yankees fans to let the Jose Altuve buzzer theory go. <a href="https://t.co/Ep9xtmyUBv">pic.twitter.com/Ep9xtmyUBv</a></p><p>— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1996663058089808320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p> </p><p>Reddick’s comments add another layer to the ongoing Altuve narrative that Yankees supporters have kept alive for years. He insisted the explanation has always been simple and noted that the unfinished tattoo made the two-time world champion self-conscious in the moment. By pointing out the actual condition of the ink, the outfielder tried to settle the argument and urged the baseball world to drop the accusation.</p><p>With Yankees fans continuing to revisit the saga, the 13-year veteran pushed for closure, emphasizing that the story should be seen for what it was rather than what many imagined. His comments leave little doubt about his stance as the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-ex-slugger-says-jose-altuve-3-players-sign-stealing-system">Astros attempt to move past</a> an era often defined by suspicion and ongoing public debate.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros veteran Jose Altuve’s ex-teammate tells Yankees fans to give it a rest with buzzer theory

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-ex-slugger-says-jose-altuve-3-players-sign-stealing-system');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ex-player says Jose Altuve was among 3 Astros who ‘did not use’ sign-stealing system');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Jose-Altuvee.jpg"><figcaption>Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Ex-player says Jose Altuve was among 3 Astros who ‘did not use’ sign-stealing system</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-04T11:53:05-08:00">December 4th, 11:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-04T12:12:39-08:00">December 4th, 12:12pm</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/what-astros-sign-stealing-scandal-means-baseball">Astros have moved on since 2020</a>, but there are still <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-lebron-james-producing-docuseries-on-astros-scandal">people bringing up the sign-stealing scandal</a> that happened during the 2017 season. Josh Reddick, one of the players on that team, <a href="https://x.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1996660777852317834" rel="noopener">recently came out</a> and gave three names on who did not use the system.</p><p>“I’ll tell you until the day I die, I did not use it,” Reddick said on the Foul Territory. “I was one of the guys that did not use the system. Me, [Jose] Altuve, and Tony Kemp are the three guys that didn’t even think about using it. And that’s not even coming from me as a direct source. first. Carlos Correa came out and said it the day after we met with the media.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I'll tell you until the day I die, I did not use it."<a href="https://twitter.com/JRedDubDeuce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JRedDubDeuce</a> says he, Jose Altuve, and Tony Kemp did not participate in the sign-stealing system in 2017 with the Astros. <a href="https://t.co/EJJQmwhZNU">pic.twitter.com/EJJQmwhZNU</a></p><p>— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1996660777852317834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Reddick knows that people look at his numbers from that season and see an outlier from any of his other years in the league, but he says that he was a product of playing with some of the best in the league at the time.</p><p>“It’s not like I’m making stuff up; it’s been proven,” Reddick said. “People are going to be biased, and I get it. I hit over .300 for the only time in my career. I had the highest OPS in my career. All of these numbers add up, but you know how many fastballs I got hitting between George Springer and Jose Altuve? A lot easier to hit when you get a lot of fastballs with the World Series MVP and league MVP hitting behind you.</p><p>“Josh Reddick did not cheat. Josh Reddick did not use it, so you guys can keep talking all the crap you want out there. It doesn’t affect me one bit.”</p><p>There’s no doubt that Reddick still gets ridiculed to this day about the scandal, as well as other players on the team.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ex-player says Jose Altuve was among 3 Astros who ‘did not use’ sign-stealing system

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/mlb-rumors-astros-sp-trade-expected-loss-framber-valdez');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Astros targeting SP trade with expected loss of Framber Valdez');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Framber-Valdez-with-Astros.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Astros targeting SP trade with expected loss of Framber Valdez</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-03T07:50:01-08:00">December 3rd, 7:50am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-03T07:50:01-08:00">December 3rd, 7:50am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 last year. Even with Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa around, they could not recreate their old magic. The Astros are now <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/new-york-mets/mets-rumors-insider-says-new-york-favorite-land-framber-valdez">expected to lose Framber Valdez in free agency</a> and are looking to add pitching in a trade. The Athletic’s Chandler Rome has more on <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6856503/2025/12/02/astros-ryan-weiss-signing-rotation-depth/" rel="noopener">who they could trade</a> in search of a starter.</p><p>“…Multiple sources said Houston believes its best avenue to acquire an established starting pitcher is via trade. There is considerable interest from other teams in both center fielder Jake Meyers and right fielder Jesús Sánchez, though Sánchez’s dismal performance after the trade deadline may impact his value,” Rome reported.</p><p>The Jake Meyers trade conversation has been out there in the early stages of the offseason. According to reports, both the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets are in the conversation. At the same time, the Mets are considering Valdez as a free-agent option and could trade Kodai Senga.</p><p>The Phillies do not have the obvious pitching candidate to trade as the Mets do. That is especially true if they lose Ranger Suarez in free agency, which is possible. With<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-news-philadelphia-reacts-to-zack-wheelers-announcement"> Zach Wheeler’s season-ending injury from 2025 still looming</a>, they do not have a pitching surplus to give the Astros.</p><p>The Astros traded for Jesús Sánchez at the deadline, but he did not live up to the expectations he set with the Miami Marlins. Flipping him in the offseason would not lead to as good a pitcher as trading Meyers would get. Even with Hayden Wesneski coming back from injury and Hunter Brown turning into a star, they need a pitcher.</p><p>The Astros need a remodel to get back to the ALCS, where they lived for so long. Despite the surging Seattle Mariners, Houston cannot be counted out in the AL West.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Astros targeting SP trade with expected loss of Framber Valdez

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	HOLDS	SAVES
21	5.143	8	1.7143	1	0

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	HOLDS	SAVES
21	5.143	8	1.7143	1	0

Brandon
Walter

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