Friday Morning Hot Links

This week has been the longest year of my life.

*Maybe it's posturing for the Criminal Enterprise known as the Miami Marlins, but the Astros are fully prepared to head into 2019 with a combo of Robinson Chirinos and Max Stassi.

Maybe not, though, says Brian McTaggart. Luhnow:

We certainly feel good about going into the season with Stassi and Chirinos as our catchers. We've got [Garrett] Stubbs in the minor league and other players as well. It doesn't mean we won't take advantage of the opportunity if one presents itself as a way to get better, but right now we feel comfortable with the group we have. 

As far as what else is on the agenda for the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas starting on Sunday, Luhnow:

We're still evaluating different ways to improve the team, but starting pitcher is one of the areas where we're looking at, maybe an arm to the bullpen and also another bat for the lineup. Those are the three avenues we're exploring.

So, to recap, the Astros are willing to explore upgrading at catcher, rotation, bullpen, and offense. Tight focus, there. 

*Typical Astros said they were maybe kinda sorta in on some free agent deals:

Luhnow wouldn't say if the Astros were in on Goldschmidt or Eovaldi, but said: "We have been involved in conversations with players that have signed or been traded."

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) December 6, 2018

*Nate Eovaldi is from got dang Alvin. He went to Alvin High School. He throws hard. The Red Sox re-signed him yesterday.

*Brian T. Smith says it's a little early to be worried about the Astros' off-season.

*The three teams in serious discussions for Paul Goldschmidt were the Astros, Rays, and Cardinals, according to this Phoenix Sports Radio guy.

*Rum Bunter says the Astros are interested in Pittsburgh catcher Francisco Cervelli, and they would like Cionel Perez in return.

*I'm just going to give you the opening line - word-for-word - of this glorified press release:
LUMBERTON, NC (WBTW) - Carlos Javier Correa Oppenheimer, shortstop for the Houston Astros is hosting free clinics in our area.

According to a post from the Robeson County Government Facebook page, the MLB player will be hosting free clinics with the Robeson County Parks and Rec. for boys and girls ages 7-12 on December 8 and 9.

attendees for president bush's service today.

[reads nolan ryan's line] pic.twitter.com/QEhamNX3WR

— Calhoun (@linkcalhoun) December 6, 2018

*Ex-Marlins president David Samson said the Padres kept real and fake medical files on players. Samson:
The Padres lied. They had an entire medical file on a player and didn't disclose it. Two sets of medical records is what they had. [Padres GM and former Rangers Assistant GM] A.J. Preller shouldn't be allowed in the game. It's beyond comprehension that he's still working. They did it to the Red Sox. There are a lot of things you mess with, but you don't mess with that.

Man. When David Samson says you're unethical, you are officially at Rock Bottom.

*Kyler Murray still plans to play for the A's next year.

*Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo, both of whom played with the Astros at some point in their careers, were killed in a car wreck in the Dominican Republic Venezuela last night. RIP.

*Drew Magary on Anthony Bourdain: The last curious man.

*A Musical Selection:

Short list of GM possibilities

It's time to start building sourced lists of potential GMs. Any speculation is by each individual writer. Here we go:

12/5
Friedman out

12/5
Scott Nethery (CIN)

12/3
Jeff Luhnow (STL) (Interviewed)

11/30:
Levine out
Bill Geivett (COL) (Interviewed)

(Via Evan Grant):
Thad Levine (Texas)
A.J. Preller (Texas)
Both have been integral in the Rangers' rise to two-time defending AL champs. Both endorsed the club tear-down from the top that took place with the trades of Mark Teixeira, Kenny Lofton and Eric Gagne in 2007.

(Via Rosenthal and Morosi):
Gerry Hunsicker (TB) - The club reached the postseason in five of his nine seasons, and sources say he would embrace a return to Houston.
Andrew Friedman (TB) - Friedman's enthusiasm for the Astros' job is less certain.
Thad Levine (TEX)
A.J. Preller (TEX)
Dan Jennings (Florida/Miami) - Was denied permission to interview for the Orioles’ GM vacancy by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.

(Via McTaggart):
All of the above, and then...
Peter Woodfork (MLB) - He's a Theo Epstein disciple, having worked under him with the Boston Red Sox.
J.J. Piccolo (KC) - As the assistant GM of the Royals who oversees both the player development and scouting departments, Picollo has plenty of experience listening to a variety of opinions.
Jeff Kingston (SEA) - Kingston worked with Kevin Towers in San Diego before being hired away by the Mariners.
Billy Eppler (NYY) - Eppler interviewed recently for the Angels' vacant opening and is considered a solid candidate to be a GM in the future.
Logan White (LAD) - White's in charge of amateur and international scouting for GM Ned Colletti. In 2007, he interviewed with the Astros before Wade was hired.
De Jon Watson (LAD) - The head of player development with the Dodgers, Watson interviewed for the Orioles' vacant GM position in October before withdrawing.
Rick Hahn (CWS) - Hahn is a former sports agent who used to work for Jeff Moorad.
Al Avila (DET) - The assistant GM of the Tigers, Avila is more of a veteran scout, in the mold of Colletti, but he has a very good track record.
Allard Baird (BOS) - If the Astros find themselves looking for a veteran GM not named Hunsicker, Baird could be their guy.

Obviously the quotes for each candidate are not the entire quotes, and you'll just need to click the source link for the full version.

Baseball Time in Arlington's reaction

Now that we have to start thinking about AL West reactions to the Astros news, if you're not already, you should be acquainted with Baseball Time in Arlington, because they're an excellent Rangers-oriented (obviously) blog. They have some thoughts on what today's news means for the Rangers, with emphasis on the possibility of Levine/Preller, and even Mike Maddux as next manager (should Mills get fired).

12 minutes into the new regime and there's a short list of GM candidates

Richard Justice's breathtakingly fast article on the new ownership of Jim Crane already (and, fairly, it should be added) questions the longevity of Ed Wade:

General manager Ed Wade appears most vulnerable, but Crane and Postolos have steadfastly refused to comment on his status until after they actually took over the club.Among those believed to be under consideration if a change is made is Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman, a Houston native. Former Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker and Texas Rangers executive A.J. Preller also appear to be under consideration.