Defending champions Houston Astros announced last Sunday that they had paused contract extension talks with fan favorites Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez, the Houston Chronicle reported.Bob Nightengale@BNightengaleThe Houston #Astros have paused contract extension talks with Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker, and owner Jim Crane says he still would like to keep Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman in Houston for the duration of their careers.17426The Houston #Astros have paused contract extension talks with Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker, and owner Jim Crane says he still would like to keep Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman in Houston for the duration of their careers."The Houston #Astros have paused contract extension talks with Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker, and owner Jim Crane says he still would like to keep Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman in Houston for the duration of their careers," Bob Nightengale, TwitterHouston Astros general manager Dana Brown defended the decision, assuring fans and the media that it was only temporary and that talks between the parties could resume during or after the season.Both Tucker and Valdez still have three years left on their current contracts that are due to expire in 2025. While there isn't a pressing need to do anything immediately, financial reasons could be the biggest factor here.Disgruntled Houston Astros fans took to Twitter to let express their feelings, and they weren't pleasant. Tucker and Framber have been fan favorites since 2018, and numerous fans couldn't wrap their heads around the decision.Alejandro Kirk Enjoyer@backgoesupton@BNightengale Astros downfall begins now1@BNightengale Astros downfall begins nowWilbur Walk@wilbur_walk@MarkBermanFox26 I don’t trust Crane. He will let Bregman and Tucker leave before paying them what they are worth.3@MarkBermanFox26 I don’t trust Crane. He will let Bregman and Tucker leave before paying them what they are worth..@McKenzieFanAcc@BNightengale Learning from the Guardians I see1@BNightengale Learning from the Guardians I see🍺 & ⚾️ P@Talismantradr@BNightengale Bob fanning the flames over here@BNightengale Bob fanning the flames over here🏴‍☠️@J0ZlF@BNightengale Tucker is a future ray @BNightengale Tucker is a future ray 💔💔💔Mark Z #RepBX@therealMarkZ@BNightengale This is the team of the black GM right? The only team with a black GM?2@BNightengale This is the team of the black GM right? The only team with a black GM?Paul McMillan@paultmcmillan@BNightengale Altuve likely stays for his career. Unlikely with Tucker and Bregman@BNightengale Altuve likely stays for his career. Unlikely with Tucker and Bregman.@JUST1NHERBERT@BNightengale Poverty@BNightengale PovertyNolan D@el_nolando@BNightengale NOOO@BNightengale NOOOAnthony@inhoclupo@BNightengale Cheaters@BNightengale CheatersThe Astros will look to up their performances to bounce back against the White Sox in Game 2The Chicago White Sox stunned defending champions Houston Astros on opening day, edging them out 3-2 in a closely contested affair.White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn’s two-run double in the ninth inning helped the White Sox cross the line against the Astros on Thursday night.Houston Astros@astrosFinal: White Sox 3, #Astros 21118108Final: White Sox 3, #Astros 2"Final: White Sox 3, #Astros 2," Houston Astros, TwitterThe Astros will seek revenge in Game 2 of the series, which is due to take place on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.