Welcome to the Thursday Boil.
Good Morning, and welcome to the Thursday Astros Crawfish Boil…now with Retsyn!
Houston Astros News
Astros bolster Cuban contingent with No. 7 int’l prospect
Astros are shopping the wrong reliever this offseason (CTH)
It’s closing time for Billy Wagner’s Hall of Fame case — and he’s feeling the weight of the wait (NY Times)
Astros Reportedly Making Strong Pursuit of Jorge Polanco in Free Agency (LWoS)
MLB: Astros Catcher Reveals Juan Soto’s ‘Mind Games’ to Throw Off Opponents (AI Bat) lol this article is exactly what it says
Astros 2025 International Free Agency Signing Tracker: Updates, bonus details (CTH)
AL West News
A’s: 18-year-old two-way Japanese slugger signs record-setting deal with A’s
Blarts: Texas Rangers free agent signing Kyle Higashioka raves about this aspect of his new team (Dallas News)
M’s: Mariners land Venezuelan outfielder nicknamed ‘The Beast’
Halos: The Angels would be well served to avoid this free-agent outfielder like the plague (HH)
MLB News:
Who landed top talent on Day 1 of the ‘25 int’l signing period?
Time running out for a Mets-Alonso reunion?
D-backs introduce new ace Burnes: ‘We’re in it to win it’
3 reasons Alonso can be a 40-homer hitter again
What to make of Profar’s 2024 … and his free agency case
MLB Mailbag: Cubs, Padres, Reds, Cardinals, Stroman, Hoffman (MLBTR)
Tommy Brown Passes Away (MLBTR)
Houston Astros Birthdays:
LHP Ron Villone (55)
RHP Jim Owens (1934—2020)
RHP Misael Tamarez (25)