Welcome to the weekend!
It’s your Friday Crawfish Boil!
Houston Astros News
Shedding unnecessary motion key to Peña’s goal as shortstop
The Legend of Cam Smith (Chipalatta)
Red Sox are coming to Alex Bregman realization that Astros fans know all too well (FS)
Astros catcher Victor Caratini gives his take on ABS challenge system (HC)
Astros insider makes scathing indictment of any Nolan Arenado trade shenanigans (CTH)
Early excitement, opportunities for new-look Houston Astros team (SM Houston)
Astros look to restore defense to former glory with reformed infield (HC)
AL West News
Days after daughter’s open-heart surgery, Burger hits 1st HR with Rangers
Angels’ top prospect leaves fans salivating after dominant spring training outing (HH)
Randy Arozarena taking mentorship role with Mariners prospect Lazaro Montes (The Spokesman-Review
A’s Continuing To Give Tyler Soderstrom Catching Reps (MLBTR)
MLB News
Braves Chairman: Team Has “Dry Powder” To Add Payroll (MLBTR)
8 candidates to make jump from losing record to playoffs I don’t want to cast aspersions at a fellow member of the MLB “press,” but this statement presumes that a maximum of four teams will be returning to the playoffs from last year to this one. Seems a lot low.
Accused of giving away his team’s pitches, Derek Bender reckons with the world’s mistrust (NY Times)
Freeman (ankle) looks better than expected in spring debut
Marlins Claim Brett de Geus, Desigate Seth Martinez For Assignment (FG)
Gunnar exits game with injury for ‘precautionary reasons’
Men Lie About Their Height—Even Baseball Players (SI)
Andrew Benintendi To Miss Four To Six Weeks Due To Hand Fracture (MLBTR)
I Would Like to Misappropriate the Blue Jays’ Spring Training Scoreboard for Use in Shenanigans (FG)
Red Sox top prospect trio making strong impression
‘We could be the best’: Jazz, Volpe impressing as new double-play combo
Twins trio avoids near car crash, shaken by experience
Seeing Baseball Through a Tiny Lens (FG)
Houston Astros Birthdays
2B Niko Goodrum (33)
RHP Ricky Stone (50)
Saturday
None
Sunday
RHP Bud Norris (40)
C Keduar Trujillo (21)