Astros pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training tomorrow. The team's roster remains jumbled as camp is soon to get underway. They're still heavily right-handed and have an arguable surplus of infielders with an unimposing outfield mix. Trading an infielder, especially Isaac Paredes, has been the most speculated avenue to balancing the roster. General manager Dana Brown has repeatedly said the Astros aren't motivated to do so.
[Quan] Martin will have the motivation to step up in what will be a contract year in 2026. If the Patriots could nab him for their fifth-round pick, he'd immediately offer experience and depth to the back end of a defense that desperately needs it. Martin started his college career as a cornerback, moved inside to the slot, and eventually returned to safety in the NFL. His versatility means New England could kill two birds with one stone, adding a third safety and cornerback insurance.
Hell yeah, I want to be in Chicago. I'm really not looking at it as I'm not going to be in Chicago. That never came across my mind. I don't think that ever will. I know where you're getting that from - the fans that want to attack people, but it is what it is. It comes with the sport and that's what we signed up for.
The Astros have seemingly had too many infielders all winter but general manager Dana Brown has consistently downplayed the possibility of a trade, doing so again this week. Privately, the club may be less certain about holding everyone. Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports that some people within the team are questioning the viability of carrying everyone on the roster and that a trade is becoming more realistic.
"I've really planned to play any position they ask," Rushing said at DodgerFest on Saturday. "Whether I've played it before or I haven't, just - like I said - take advantage of every opportunity. I know catching, first base are going to be the main two."
Ware is not a throw-in for the Rising Stars game, either; he's participating because he's one of the NBA's best young players. He's also one of the top talented young players at the center position, not to mention with the Heat. That said, his season has had more ups and downs than his rookie year did, and he's having a better season by the numbers, yet he's fallen out of Miami's rotation more often than not lately.
That doesn't mean that the Raptors cannot be a part of the chaos surrounding Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, however. Just as Barnes and Giannis are similar, so the ideal center to put next to them is a similar archetype, a 3-point bombing, rim-protecting 5 who allows non-shooting, playmaking 4s to maximize their impact. The Bucks have such a player in Myles Turner, and the Raptors need such a player.
When the Raptors handed Immanuel Quickley a five-year, $175 million extension in the 2024 offseason, many were left wondering about the hefty price tag for a restricted free agent. But in today's NBA, where contracts keep getting bigger, there was also a chance this deal could turn out to be a smart financial move down the line - especially if Quickley makes a significant leap to stardom.
To be frank, Poeltl's play before he went down wasn't anything extraordinary, whether that's mostly due to injury issues or the inevitable decline that comes with age. But still, it's undoubtedly worth having a true center available for the Raptors than being forced to play guys out of their ideal position. I mean, just ask Scottie Barnes - he's echoed this sentiment before.
