Welcome to the Friday Boil.
There’s something different about October baseball this season….
Houston Astros News
Bregman’s free agency headlines Astros’ list of offseason questions
Astros predicted to reunite with superstar with $165 million contract
3 free agents Astros can sign to redeem themselves and win the 2025 World Series (FS)
Astros arbitration salary projections for 2025 revealed (CTH)
When the Lights Went Out in Houston (FG)
Three Astros offseason storylines: Pursuing Alex Bregman, payroll and filling the corners (The Athletic)
What’s next for the Houston Astros after an early postseason departure (KHOU11)
The Fat Lady sang: Now, It’s time to take inventory – The position players (Chipalatta)
AL West News
A’s: An entire fanbase ‘furious’ at John Fisher ’83 as Athletics play final game in Oakland (The Daily Princetononian)
Halos: Los Angeles Angels Broadcast Revenue Up In the Air, How Will Rendon Stay Healthy? (13WMAZ)
Blarts: 5 most encouraging developments for the Texas Rangers from an otherwise lost season (Dallas News)
M’s: Why the Mariners got what they paid for in 2024 (Wenatchee World)
MLB News
Oppo research: Rarity of Alonso’s HR, other stunning tidbits
For Pete Rose (1941-2024), the Hustle Has Finally Ended (FG)
Reds to hire Terry Francona as manager
Previewing the Division Series matchups
Mets Outright Eddy Alvarez (MLBTR)
Scouting report for pitching to Ohtani
Do first-round byes disrupt hard-earned momentum? Not so fast
Uecker returns to booth, consoles Crew after WC loss
Dodgers flip Yamamoto, Flaherty in NLDS pitching order
Mets Considering Kodai Senga For NLDS Roster (MLBTR)
Ha-Seong Kim Switches Agencies, Hires Boras Corporation (MLBTR)
Houston Astros Birthdays
Friday
LHP Joe Thatcher (43)
IF Mark McLemore (60)
OF/3B Chris James (62)
OF Billy Hatcher (64)
RHP Joe Boever (64)
RHP Carlos Calderon (23)
RHP Don Bradey (90)
RHP Joey Mancini (24)
Saturday
1B Marc Krauss (37)
RHP Felipe Paulino (41)
RHP Brandon Puffer (49)
OF Alex Diaz (56)
CF Al Heist (1927-2006)
Sunday
LHP Darren Oliver (54)
2B Jeremy Arocho (26)
C Jerry Grote (1942-2024)