Author: Chip Bailey
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MMQB: A smorgasbord of conversation topics
As the playoffs continue — you are paying attention, right? — the Astros are planning for the next “season” when teams set their 40-man rosters and trade and free agency discussions heat up. Here are some thoughts and considerations as Jeff Luhnow and new manager A.J. Hinch prepare. How ’bout that payroll? The Astros are…
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2014 Astros: Time to move forward, at a faster pace
Okay, so the season’s over (for Houston) with a 19-game improvement. The Astros have a new manager, so that question has now been answered. Jim Crane seems to believe he’ll have a new TV deal in place by opening day. And, Jeff Luhnow can now turn his full attention to giving A.J. Hinch a winning…
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Weigh in: Astros have their man(ager) in A.J. Hinch
UPDATE: Astros officially and formally name A.J. Hinch as their new manager. Apparently the Astros were well along in their decision-making process when they interviewed internal candidates Tom Lawless, Pat Listach and Tony DeFrancesco on Saturday, continuing to piece together the puzzle for the future. Word is spreading that the Astros will hire A.J. Hinch…
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FREE blog weekend: This Friday, it isn’t totally free
Fridays are always free on the blog, but this Friday is the last Friday of the regular season. As a result, the cost of admission for today’s Free Blog Weekend is a required answer to the questions before venturing off onto other topics. The discussions this season have been frenzied, varied and even contentious at…
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2014 Astros: Things that make you scratch your head
There have been many peculiar things about the 2014 baseball season. And all of those odd things haven’t happened just in Houston, though the Astros have had their share. When you step back and look at the season that winds up this Sunday, there are just a few things that make me scratch my head. Okay,…
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Free Blog Weekend: Hopes, streaks, offers and questions
It’s a tradition here: Free Blog Weekend! Qualifying offers. There is a myriad of players who will receive qualifying offers this year under the CBA. Players such as Nelson Cruz, Victor Martinez, Ervin Santana, Max Scherzer, Hanley Ramirez will be extended or get the estimated $15 million QO. With some appealing possibilities and the likelihood…
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Perspective: MLB prospects and a look ahead (and back)
First thought: The Astros are 66-83 with 13 games to play. If the season ended today, the organization would draft second, eighth and 31st in 2015. The first 11 picks are protected. • •• ••• •• • Jeff Luhnow’s blueprint is centered around rebuilding the organization through the draft. Once the minor leagues are sufficiently seeded, he intends…
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Free Blog Weekend: Septembers, hits and other questions
It’s Friday, the weekend is ahead, so you know what that means: Free Blog Weekend. Let’s get started. September Morn. It does seem like a new day now that Tom Lawless and Adam Everett are leading the dugout. Houston is 6-2 this month with 16 games to go and, while several games are against contenders…
ALL THINGS ASTROS 