Matt & Ross In The Morning

Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross," Brian Bogusevic, former Astros outfielder and Space City Home Network analyst, and Adam Wexler of "The A-Team" discuss the latest with third baseman Alex Bregman, who is weighing his options in free agency. Do the Houston Astros have a chance of signing Bregman? Ross, Brian and Adam also:

• further evaluate the Kyle Tucker trade
• react to Stefon Diggs latest comments on a possible future in Houston
• preview the Texans facing the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday
• give their latest "Gut Feelings"
• recap Week 15 in "Connor's NFL Rewind" and more.

Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" and Dan Mathews of "The A-Team" recap the Houston Texans defeating the Miami Dolphins 20-12 to clinch their second consecutive AFC South division title. Ross and Dan also:

• review Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans' latest comments
• further discuss the Astros trading Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs
• debate the differences between Nolan Arenado and Alex Bregman
• react to the Rockets getting eliminated from the NBA Cup after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to breaking news that the Houston Astros are trading Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith. Matt and Ross also:

• preview the Rockets taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinal round of the NBA Cup
• discuss the Texans hosting the Dolphins this Sunday
• review the NFL's worst teams in "Ross' Rotten Five"
• talk with Dr. Roto to cure their fantasy football blues
• tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this "Anything Goes Friday."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to breaking news that the Houston Astros are trading Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to the Houston Rockets defeating the Golden State Warriors 91-90 to advance to the semifinals of the NBA Cup in Las Vegas. Matt and Ross also:

• review Warriors head coach Steve Kerr's postgame comments
• talk with Alejandro Solana of WQAM in Miami about the Texans hosting the Dolphins this Sunday
• react to former Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman transferring to the Cougars
• talk with Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, about the latest from the MLB Winter Meetings
• discuss six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick being named the new head coach at North Carolina with Chris Gordy
•  say "I Just Don't Get It" and more.

Following Juan Soto's historic contract, the value of Kyle Tucker has increased drastically. The Houston Astros right fielder is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, and general manager Dana Brown could look to benefit from trading Tucker before he hits the open market. "Definitely seemed like there is momentum building," Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, said while attending the final day of MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas. Tucker and the Astros agreed on a $12 million contract last season after the 27-year-old lost his arbitration case the year prior. "There's always been a belief that Tucker was going to explore free agency," McTaggart said. Framber Valdez will also be a free agent next season at age 32. The left-handed pitcher held a 15-7 record, 2.91 ERA and 4.5 WAR in 2024, but Brown said he will "listen on anybody" when asked if he would consider a trade of either Valdez or Tucker. "I think it's less likely that [Valdez] gets traded," McTaggart said. The Astros still remain in the race to sign Alex Bregman, who is now a free agent. Houston offered the third baseman six years at about $156 million, and agent Scott Boras has stated that he is still communicating with Brown about a potential deal, but many remain pessimistic as Bregman is reportedly seeking a number closer to $200 million. "I find it hard to believe that the Astros would go above six years." The Astros have their ace, third baseman and right fielder dominating the headlines from Winter Meetings, and there is a chance that the 2025 season's lineup would feature a lot of new faces in key positions, but could the Astros still win the division with a restructured roster? "They're not the 2019 Astros," but they "could still be a pretty good team," McTaggart said.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" review the latest updates from the MLB Winter Meetings. Sports agent Scott Boras says that many teams are interested in Alex Bregman. Chandler Rome also states that the Astros are listening to trade proposals concerning Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez. What will the Astros lineup look like in 2025? Matt and Ross also:

• talk with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka about tonight's matchup against the Golden State Warriors in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup
• present what they would sacrifice to get a Rockets win
• further preview the Texans hosting the Miami Dolphins on Sunday
• debate the songwriting skills of Billy Joel and Kendrick Lamar
• tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

The Houston Rockets return to the Toyota Center to host the Golden State Warriors in a win-or-go-home matchup for the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup. The winner of the contest will travel to Las Vegas to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals Saturday. "Let's go get it done," head coach Ime Udoka said. "It's good to play in meaningful games." Rockets forward Tari Eason is returning to the lineup after missing two straight games in concussion protocol. The other half of the "Terror Twins," Amen Thompson, is coming off a 22-point performance in a 117-106 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Thompson is "such a great driver and slasher," Udoka said. "He doesn't have to be reliant on jump shots." The Warriors are on a 15-game win streak against the Rockets, including being 2-0 this season. The last time the Western Conference foes faced each other was December 5 in San Francisco, as the Warriors won 99-93. Golden State was missing starters Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, and Jonathan Kuminga recorded a career-high 33 points. However, both Curry and Green are available for Wednesday's matchup. "They do play very differently when Curry is back," Udoka said. Green serves as the leader for the Warriors' defense and draws comparisons to Dillon Brooks in the sense of getting under the skin of the opponent. "Use it as motivation, and don't back down and shy away from it," Udoka said. "To some extent, try to bully the bully."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to the latest comments from Astros general manager Dana Brown from the MLB Winter Meetings. With Alex Bregman most likely not returning to Houston, will the Astros look to trade Kyle Tucker before the outfielder becomes a free agent? Matt and Ross also:

• further discuss Juan Soto's historic deal with the New York Mets
• preview Cougars men's basketball taking on Troy
• review Week 14 in "Ross' NFL Rewind"
• give their latest "Gut Feelings" and more.

Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross," Adam Wexler of "The A-Team" and Chris Gordy react to outfielder Juan Soto agreeing to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. It is the largest deal in professional sports history. With Soto off the board, where will Alex Bregman end up as one of the top remaining free agents? Ross, Adam and Chris also:

• review the college football playoff following the conclusion of conference championship weekend
• recap the Rockets defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 117-106
• play "To Tell the Truth" and more.