Happy President’s Day.
It is your Boil.
Still no results to go over, no games to preview. Even so, I find the Astros’ new challenge of setting their lineup fascinating (post-Tucker & Bregman). Can Walker and Paredes fill the gap left by those two? Can Chas & Jakey figure it out? Is Yainer going to continue to improve? Can Peña take another step? What does the future hold for Jon Singleton? How many more years can Jose Altuve continue to produce as he has for a decade and a half? (probably three, but I’m holding out for nine or 10) What about the rotation? Are LMJ, JP France, Luis Garcia and others going to be options at any point in 2025? What is Houston’s bullpen plan for innings 6, 7, & 8? Dezenzo? Whitcomb? Melton? Cam Smith? Corona? Hummel? León? Brice? Montero? There is no shortage of questions going into live play later this week, and I’m here for it.
Houston Astros News
Houston fans can blame this former All-Star for Alex Bregman’s exit (Chron)
We Tried Tracker: Alex Bregman Edition (FG)
Astros notes: The future at second base, Forrest Whitley’s role and more (NY Times)
Astros fans share in their star’s pain after Alex Bregman bolts to Red Sox (CTH)
Nolan Arenado won’t even mention Astros by name after refusing trade (FS)
AL West News
A’s, Mark Kotsay Agree To Extension (MLBTR)
Mariners’ Emerson Hancock adds new pitches to his arsenal (Seattle Sports)
Mike Trout Moving To Right Field (MLBTR)
A’s, Luis Urias Agree To Deal (MLBTR)
Rangers Notes: Gray, Martin, Garcia (MLBTR)
MLB News
Which players from each team have the most to prove this spring?
Soto turns heads as he arrives at Mets camp: ‘You could just feel it’
The best-projected players to change teams this offseason
Stanton (elbows) in ‘very high’ level of pain; opener in doubt
‘I’m in the right place’: Arenado arrives at Cards camp
Bregman welcomes ‘good pressure’ of baseball in Boston
Sunday Notes: A Yooper, Derrick Edington Was Tutored By an Erstwhile Closer (FG)
Houston Astros Birthdays
IF Cody Ransom (49)
LHP Mike Cosgrove (74)
1B Dave Roberts (74)