"Yes, friends, spring training begins next month. Literally, in just a few weeks, Jim Crane — not Drayton McLane — will stand in front of players and coaches for his first big moment in the sun.

You can bet quite a bit will happen between now and the first spring training game March 3 against Washington at Osceola County Stadium. Count on trades. Bank on more non-roster invites. And, believe it, there will be some curve balls.

For now, though, some of the biggest changes are those that haven't happened yet. Wandy and Brett are still Astros and Houston is still in the NL Central…for one more season. Brad Mills apparently got a reprieve for now, but Bobby Heck and others in the front office may start the new year on pins and needles."