Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Tuesday Morning Link Dump

And here's your watercooler* cheat sheet**

*Nobody still gathers around a watercooler
**Or uses an actual cheat sheet

*The Astros weren't about to blow their entire international budget on Yoan Moncada. Luhnow:
We're going to spend $17m in the draft this year. We're going to spend $4m internationally, that's a big chunk of money. We spent $20m this year in free agency. We've made a decision that $40-plus million that we're going to invest this year is better spent in the amateur draft and in free agency for where the Astros are today, rather than doing some big splash in the Cuban market.

*Mark Appel is making people happy.

*A.J. Hinch is transitioning to full workouts today, and everyone is in camp except for Fausto Carmona Roberto Hernandez, who is sorting out a visa issue.

*The Astros placed second overall in ESPN's analytics usage survey. Of course, the key term is "usage" and not "success."

*Rule-5 Catcher Luis Flores is excited about his opportunity with the Astros

*Josh Fields has a slight hamstring injury