And here we go...
*Beyond the Box Score has the offseason strategies for each of the five AL West teams here.
*The Astros will split up $2,271,169.85 between players, coaches, and staff, thanks to making the playoffs. According to McTaggart, the Astros voted to give out 53 full shares (worth just over $36,000 each), with 8.5 partial shares, and nine cash awards. We are still waiting to find out if we received a cash award.
*Richard Justice makes his predictions for free agency and major trade candidates. In short: the Giants and Cardinals sign all the free agents, the Astros trade for all the relievers.
*Fresno's Tony DeFrancesco was named Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year.
*Tracy Ringolsby has a profile of former scouting director Bobby Heck.
*The Marlins are considering adding Barry Bonds as a hitting coach.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
