A note about stories behind a paywall: If I encounter a paywall, I let you know. There are some issues with some of the Chronicle links, I understand, but I'm able to get the full text, and I don't subscribe to the Chronicle. I'm trying to figure out how this is possible. Sorry if you run into it...
Split-squad game today! Scott Feldman starts against the Blue Jays (Gameday Audio) and Brad Peacock starts against the Pirates (MLB.tv) - both at 12:05pm Central.
*Ken Giles was trying to be too fine in yesterday's first loss of 2016. (Chron)
*The Astros can make a case for the best - and most fun - outfield in baseball. (Chron)
*Carlos Gomez is trying to tone down his swing. (MLB.com)
*File this under "I can't remember if we put this in a couple of days ago": Carlos Correa is the superstar-in-waiting MLB needs. (Yahoo)
*Colin Moran is more comfortable in his 2nd Spring Training with the Astros. He'll begin 2016 at
Triple-A Fresno (MLB.com). Luhnow:
He will hit for average, some power, but not a ton. At the end of the year, you look up and you've got a guy who's hitting .300 and maybe driving in 80 and scoring 80, and those guys are really valuable.
*Jeff Bagwell: Getting into the HOF is a big deal. (Chron)
*The Nationals and Astros are excited about Spring Training 2017. (TC Palm)
*Tony Clark thinks having more pre-draft medical information (think Brady Aiken) is a dangerous idea. (Chron)
*Rosters expanding to 40 on September 1 will soon be a thing of the past; stay for the note about the Astros being one of two teams to make the playoffs and have seven players on Baseball America's Top 100 prospects list. (Boston Globe)
*Sal Perez and awarding contract extensions out of fairness (FanGraphs)
*Jacob DeGrom refused to sign his $607,000 contract out of protest (ESPN)
*Camaraderie is a factor in how the Rays built their roster (Tampa Bay Times)
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
