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Saturday notes: Post Christmas thoughts with spring now coming into focus
It’s the weekend after Christmas and the Astros are clearly on a mission. And, yes, it’s morning again in Houston! While I plan to be back in January, here are a few thoughts to whet your Astros’ appetite, though you’ve probably already eaten plenty over the past week. What is the biggest problem the Astros…
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Christmas wishes for under the Astros’ trees
As Christmas 2015 approaches like a runaway train, it seems appropriate to list out some gift wishes for Santa to place under the various Astros’ trees. For owner Jim Crane – a heart that grows three sizes on Christmas day. For GM Jeff Luhnow – another playoff run by the 2016 team. For manager A.J.…
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Bagwell and the HOF: Once more into the breach
So, here’s what I wrote last year about Jeff Bagwell and his Hall of Fame candidacy. The stats are the same — Bagwell hasn’t reached 500 homers since last December — and he’s still languishing in the mid-50s when it comes to percentage of Hall voters who have a clue. Old News So, I’ve…
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Who’s on first? I don’t know, third base!
Abbott and Costello could not have been more prophetic when it comes to the Astros’ corner infield dilemma for 2016. With the departure of Chris Carter, the Astros have 111 games to fill at first, and there are plenty of options. Some are good, some bad. Some remain to be seen … or re-seen. Depending…
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Meetings adjourned: Where Houston stands
Well, that was interesting. I have a brother who lives in Phoenix and is a big D-Backs fan. All I heard all week was Tony La Russa this and Tony La Russa that. You’d think La Russa was his prom date. Seeing the Winter Meetings through the eyes of fans from other teams is interesting.…
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After Protections – Astros’ Rule 5 Targets
A couple weeks ago this blog talked about the minor leaguers that the Astros were most likely to protect heading into the Rule 5 draft. Rule 5: Astros’ top 10 minor leaguers to consider The Astros protected a large group of minor leaguers by adding them to the 40 man roster, including IF Nolan Fontana, OF…
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Astros’ offseason: Pitching and baseball economics 101
With David Price hitting the $30 million a year level on his latest free agent contract, and Zack Greinke shattering that number, there has been much discussion on where the Houston Astros path forward should be on taking or not taking the plunge into the deep end of starting pitching free agency. The Astros have…
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December 2015: Crucial end to a great year for Astros
A year ago, the Astros entered December 2014 in a state of flux with very few of their many roster questions answered. At that time they had said goodbye to Jesus Guzman, Matt Albers and Jesse (we hardly knew ye) Crain. They had made the much maligned trade of Nick Tropeano and Carlos Perez for…
ALL THINGS ASTROS 