*Brian McTaggart takes a crack at predicting the Opening Day 2021 roster, and friends, take a look at the outfield.
*Unsurprisingly, George Springer is allegedly planning on declining the Qualifying Offer the Astros submitted since, you know, it's a pay-cut.
*The biggest Astros off-season question is the outfield, to the surprise of absolutely no one.
*SI ranked the Top 50 Free Agents, with their current team and the best fit. On that list as fits for the Astros:
Reliever Jeremy Jeffress to the Astros. Michael Brantley to the Yankees. Springer to re-sign with the Astros.
I personally think the Astros re-sign Brantley on a shorter-term deal and let Springer walk. But who's to say.
*ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted offseason moves for all 30 teams. For the Astros? Sign Marcell Ozuna and Kirby Yates.
*MLB decided not to punish the COVID-positive Justin Turner for rejoining his teammates without a mask after winning the 2020 World Series, the most 2020 outcome of the 2020 season. I might actually hate the Dodgers more than the Rangers (who I pity). And I hate the Commissioner's Office more than the both of them combined.
*The Bastard Alex Cora was re-hired as the manager of the Boston Red Sox. Unsurprisingly, the move was widely-heralded by national baseball types. The Athletic: how Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom had to be convinced to hire Alex Cora.
*Outside: The real reason you're tired all the time.
*Wired: A nameless hiker and the case the internet can't crack.
*Texas Monthly: Meet the Texan who spends winters at the South Pole. Also: the Top 50 Barbecue joints in Texas.
*Leeds United plays Crystal Palace this morning at 9am Central.
*A Musical Selection:
