Author: Chip Bailey
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The Luhnow Plan: Avoid the bottleneck
The good news: Jeff Luhnow has a plan. The bad news: Everything may not follow his plan. As news begins to leak about the Astros’ efforts to tie up some of their younger players, questions, concerns and criticisms are all sure to increase. And, since Luhnow doesn’t talk about his business openly, it leaves a…
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Chatter abounds: Springer, first base and Luhnow
While the Astros continue to search for that magical final 25, the chatter continues. From the “can’t-blame-a-guy-for-trying” category, give Jeff Luhnow an attaboy. It appears the Astros were trying to be shrewd with a 7-year, $23 million offer to George Springer last fall. Sure, if I could tie up my top prospect until he was…
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Two weeks out, Astros still have major decisions
The Astros cleared the decks of one decision Monday, naming off-season acquisition Scott Feldman as the opening day starter. No major surprise given the $30 million investment. Still, with opening day two weeks away, Jeff Luhnow and Bo Porter have several significant questions remaining. Here are five remaining key decisions. Closer.
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Astros whittling way to final 25-man roster
As remarkable as it may seem, there are few surprises looming for the Astros’ opening day roster. The Astros still need to trim 21 players to reach the 25-man roster limit for April 1, but only 3-4 players are pushing their way onto Jeff Luhnow’s radar. Granted, players like Jose Altuve, Chad Qualls, Jason Castro,…
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Frankly, it’s time for Jim Crane to own the Houston Astros
If the honeymoon isn’t over for Jim Crane, it will be at some point in 2014. It’s time for Jim Crane to own the Houston Astros. You can inherit a mess, but sooner or later the keys, batons and reins are fully passed and the jalopy becomes yours. It’s time for Jim Crane to own…
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Since wins, losses, stats mean nothing, no worries, right?
The Astros reported to spring training a month ago and are less than three weeks from the beginning of the major league season. If spring training stats and wins or losses mean nothing, then there are no worries for players like Jonathan Singleton, George Springer, Brett Oberholtzer or Matt Dominguez. But you can bet that…
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No surprise, but Astros put a period after Wallace
The Astros have parted ways with Brett Wallace. The move shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the official release puts a period at the end of what many had hoped would be a long tenure at first base in the tradition of Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman. While he technically came to the Astros in…
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Let the games begin: What matters, what doesn’t
Let the games begin. The Astros have a month until opening day and many decisions on the horizon. Some of those decisions are already obvious. Others will take only days to manifest and Jeff Luhnow and Bo Porter will need the full month to reach other conclusions. But, as the Astros begin the first weekend…
ALL THINGS ASTROS 