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SportsJustice (Free subscription) | 11/23/2009
The Astros are going to give 3B Chris Johnson and C Jason Castro every chance to be in the Opening Day starting lineup. But they're prepared to send one or both of them to AAA if they have tough springs. At the moment, the Astros are set at just four of eight positions: LF Carlos Lee, CF Michael Bourn, RF Hunter Pence and 1B Lance Berkman. Every other position is open. Some are less open than others....
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The Crawfish Boxes (Free subscription) | 11/20/2009
More photos » by Alan Diaz - AP Browse more photos » On the eve of full fledged free agency, the Astros have made an offer to LaTroy Hawkins . I sincerely hope that Hawk is back in the fold next season. While needs exist in the rotation as well as in the infield, LaTroy should demand a contract that's worth between $2 million and $4 million this season. True, investing that kind of money...
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SI.com (Free subscription) | 11/19/2009
In most industries, being ranked among the top 20 percent of performers would be an honor, and you would be in line for a raise. Not in Major League Baseball. Earlier this month the Elias Sports Bureau released its free-agent rankings, and those who rate in the top 20 percent of players at their position are rated "Type A" free agents, while those who fall in the next 20 percent are rated...
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Fake Teams (Free subscription) | 11/19/2009
More photos » by Al Behrman - ASSOCIATED PRESS about 1 month ago: St. Louis Cardinals starter John Smoltz (30) in action against the Cincinnati Reds in a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) Browse more photos » A few days ago, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi over at Foxsports.com wrote that there are 7 teams interested in signing John Smoltz this...
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The Crawfish Boxes (Free subscription) | 11/19/2009
by David J. Phillip - AP Will the Hawk be back in Houston? View full size photo » We already covered the basics of the reliever market with Jose Valverde 's profile, so I thought the most illuminating thing to do with Hawkins is to see which teams might actually need a closer this winter. That, of course, is going to be the difference in him signing for 5-7 million and 2-3 million. Hawkins has...
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The Crawfish Boxes (Free subscription) | 11/18/2009
More photos » by Pat Sullivan - AP Just give us a sign, Ed. Browse more photos » I just got finished reading this piece by Brian McTaggart. I read it; I read it again, and then I thought, "Sonofabitch." Why? Because I can't discern a single line of thought from McTaggart's interview that would indicate there's any kind of plan for the Astros . I don't need a blueprint, but at...
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The Crawfish Boxes (Free subscription) | 11/17/2009
More photos » by Alan Diaz - AP Browse more photos » Why are we fretting so much about Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins ? I mean aside from the fact that they're talented pitchers with above average ability. Closers, and the set-up men whose shoulders they stand on, enter games in situations where we as fans have our stomach in knots. In someone like Valverde's case, he toes the rubber...
5Vote!
SimonOnSports (Free subscription) | 11/13/2009
Blogging the Offseason is a 30 team series in which I ask a blogging representative from each MLB team a series of ten questions about their desires and thoughts surrounding the offseason. Check out all of them here . Today's NL team is the Houston Astros and our guest is HighLeveragePerformer from the Astros Blog, Crawfish Boxes . 1. The Astros have a big hole to fill in the back of their bullpen...
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The Crawfish Boxes (Free subscription) | 11/13/2009
One thing you couldn't have accused the Astros of just before the 2009 season was having a great deal of pitching depth. Wandy Rodriguez had improved in 2008, but it was unknown whether he could continue the trend after just one really good year. The bullpen had been (in part) anchored by such luminous names as Doug Brocail and later the previously-mediocre LaTroy Hawkins . Randy Wolf had been let...
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Sliding Into Home (Free subscription) | 11/09/2009
Here are the rankings via AOL Fanhouse : Players with * have 2010 options in current contract Type A free agents (with former team): Jason Bay, OF, Boston Rafael Betancourt, RP, Colorado* Orlando Cabrera, IF, Minnesota Johnny Damon, OF, Yankees Octavio Dotel, RP, White Sox Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox* Chone Figgins, IF, Angels Mike Gonzalez, RP, Atlanta John Grabow, RP, Cubs Kevin Gregg, RP, Cubs LaTroy...
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DRaysBay (Free subscription) | 11/09/2009
More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP Inverted W! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! Browse more photos » Per Ed Price. Crawford won't reach free agency, Zaun and Shouse have options which may be declined, and Springer is a true free agent. The questions now are whether any of them will be offered arbitration in order to gain a supplemental round compensation pick. Given his age (and potential salary)...
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The Crawfish Boxes (Free subscription) | 11/06/2009
LaTroy Hawkins files for free-agency I'm not sure what to make of this.
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DRaysBay (Free subscription) | 11/06/2009
by John Bazemore - AP Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Mike Gonzalez freaks the hell out after recording the final out in the Braves' 6-2 win over the Washington Nationals in a baseball game in Atlanta, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) View full size photo » 1) No Type-A Relievers These players will cost the Rays their first round pick as well as the financial terms necessary to...
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The Crawfish Boxes (Free subscription) | 11/05/2009
More photos » by Nick Wass - AP Rich Hill is definitely my pick for sexy-under-the-radar reclamation project. He still has a few prime years in his tank and is a major head case, it seems. From we know of Arnsberg, that's right in his wheelhouse. Browse more photos » The title is somewhat facetious. The Astros are guaranteed to spend around $80 million, as is, heading into 2010, but there...
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Fake Teams (Free subscription) | 11/02/2009
More photos » by Tom Mihalek - AP Will Lidge be closing in Philly in 2010? Browse more photos » After watching Brad Lidge blow game 4 of the World Series last night, a game where he came in with the score tied, many Phillies fans have to be thinking why GM Ruben Amaro did not trade for another closer back in July and August. I wrote about this several times during the season, but to no...
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