Astros Rumors & News

ESPN "For the first time since 1960, the membership of the National Baseball Hall of Fame will remain frozen. No player on the Hall's 2021 BBWAA ballot reached the 75 percent threshold needed for enshrinement in Cooperstown. The results of the writer's voting were announced by Hall..." January 26

USA Today "In 2022, Alex Rodriguez will begin a precipitous climb, a 10-year journey toward a summit he’ll likely never reach. And as A-Rod begins his ascent, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens will be on their way back down, knowing how rough the terrain will be. After failing..." January 26

Baseball Essential "Arizona wants spring training pushed back because of COVID-19 spikes and concerns but yet they have sports going on with fans already. Also, as of now, there will not be a universal DH or expanded playoffs because of more conflict between the players and owners. If only the league had someone..." January 26

MLB.com "Tuesday brought the end of an unprecedented streak of additions to the Baseball Hall of Fame, but will it be more than a one-year blip? That’s the question following Tuesday’s 2021 Hall of Fame election announcement on MLB Network, which revealed that no player..." January 26

Clutch Points "Curt Schilling was left out of the Baseball Hall of Fame once again by just a handful of votes, and he isn’t happy about it. Curt Schilling definitely has an argument to make that he should be in the Hall of Fame, but his antics on social media seemed to rub some of..." January 26

Bleacher Report "With clubs across Major League Baseball set to report for spring training in February, the free-agent sweepstakes for ace hurler Trevor Bauer may be nearing a conclusion. So, we thought we'd break down his remaining suitors and offer a fresh prediction for his..." January 26

USA Today "It’s nice to think that Major League Baseball’s 30 owners, its hundreds of players and their many-tentacled business interests will keep public health front of mind when plotting and launching the 2021 season. It’s also helpful to note the many millions and billions..." January 26

CBS Sports "Spring training is less than a month away and it's clear MLB teams are way less active in free agency than last offseason. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has led to wide-scale payroll slashing, and even with a recent uptick in hot stove activity, there are still dozens of quality players..." January 26

Dodgers Nation "The race to sign Justin Turner has been slow and steady this offseason. While the Dodgers continue to monitor his market and offers, JT is ultimately searching out a contract that will lead him into retirement.  The veteran third baseman has reportedly been seeking a 4-year deal..." January 26

ESPN "Baseball Hall of Fame arguments used to be, dare I say ... fun? Bert Blyleven is underrated! Jim Rice is overrated! Jack Morris? Show me the back of his baseball card and let's debate. Well, welcome to the 2021 Hall of Fame ballot. It includes one player who was suspended for..." January 26

New York Post "MLB wants a universal DH. The players association wants a universal DH. These sides actually agree on something. Yet, there may not be a universal DH in 2021. Such is the relationship between these factions. MLB a few weeks back offered the universal DH as part of a larger..." January 26

ESPN "Major League Baseball will hold its first-ever pre-draft combine June 20-28 in Cary, North Carolina at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, a source told ESPN. The group of 88 invited players will be chosen in consultation with MLB scouts and the event will include a tournament..." January 25

CBS Sports "Major League Baseball is scheduled to kick off the 2021 season on Thursday, April 1 -- or, in 66 days. Yet the rules for the upcoming year are just now coming into place. On Monday, the league informed teams that the MLB Players Association had rejected a proposal that would have..." January 25

USA Today " The executive director of the Cactus League, which houses 15 teams in 10 Phoenix-area ballparks during spring training, has formally requested that Major League Baseball delay the start of the season by a month. The proposal, sent by Cactus League director Bridget Binsbacher,..." January 25

Five Thirty Eight "In baseball, every year is an election year. On Tuesday at 6 p.m. EST, we’ll learn which players will be honored with induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer (hopefully with an in-person ceremony in the Hall’s hometown of Cooperstown, New York). But unfortunately for..." January 25

MLB.com "As any good investor can tell you, it’s hard to build a fortune by splurging on the hot, surging stocks. You make bank by buying the dip -- distressed or undervalued assets are due to rise. And in recent days, we’ve seen some teams buying the dip. The Yankees did it with..." January 25

The Score "On Tuesday, the National Baseball Hall of Fame will announce the results of the 2021 balloting. As always, candidates were voted on by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Candidates require 75% of the vote to be elected and need at least 5% to remain on the..." January 24

The Score "George Springer is officially a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto signed the star outfielder to a six-year, $150-million contract, the team announced Saturday. The guaranteed money is the most in club history. The previous high for a free agent was..." January 23

Redleg Nation "The Cincinnati Reds announced this afternoon that they acquired left-handed pitcher Cionel Pérez from the Houston Astros in exchange for minor league catcher Luke Berryhill. Cionel Pérez initially signed with the Astros as an international free agent in September of 2016..." January 23

Sportsnet "On Tuesday morning, many in the baseball world woke up to the news that the New York Mets had fired general manager Jared Porter. And maybe, with that, many in the baseball world … woke up. You don’t need to be told why the actions that led to..." January 22

CBS Sports "With less than a month to go until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, the top of the free-agent market is starting to move. Two of the five best players in the class have agreed to terms in the past week: DJ LeMahieu with the Yankees and George..." January 22

Houston Chronicle "The trajectory of George Springer’s free agency felt familiar. Members of the Astros’ front office acknowledged his greatness but spoke in vague terms about a possible reunion. He was given a qualifying offer for nothing more than the draft pick compensation attached to it. Springer..." January 22

MSN.com "Free-agent reliever David Robertson seems to be making progress in his recovery from August 2019 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander threw his first bullpen session of the offseason Thursday and is planning to hold a showcase for interested teams in early February, Mark Feinsand..." January 22

The Score "The New York Mets weren't willing to match the Toronto Blue Jays' offer for George Springer. New York didn't want to go past six years and $120 million, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Springer reportedly agreed to join..." January 21

Houston Chronicle "The Astros are bringing back a familiar face. Houston is in agreement with free-agent catcher Jason Castro on a two-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said on Thursday morning. The deal is pending a physical. " January 21

CBS Sports "We are less than one week away from the reveal of the official results of the BBWAA vote for the 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame class. There was no veterans committee meeting this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, so if there are new Hall of Famers joining the Cooperstown museum this coming..." January 21

TSN "The Toronto Blue Jays’ outfield additions didn’t end with George Springer. After the Jays reached a six-year, $150 million agreement with Springer late Tuesday night, the team is also signing outfielder Michael Brantley to a three-year deal pending a..." January 20

Sportsnet "Free-agent outfielder Michael Brantley is reportedly staying with the Houston Astros. According to Fox 26 Houston's Mark Berman, Brantley and the Astros have agreed to a two-year deal worth $32 million. Brantley, 33, has been in Houston since..." January 20

MLB.com "With George Springer reportedly signing with the Blue Jays, Realmuto's market comes into clearer focus. According to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the Phillies' chances of re-signing Realmuto increase now that the Blue Jays have made their big move. Heyman notes..." January 20

TSN "The Toronto Blue Jays have not added Michael Brantley, yet.  Contrary to earlier reports, ESPN's Jeff Passan writes there is no agreement in place as of yet between the two sides. He notes the Blue Jays are still in on Brantley, and could still reach a deal with the..." January 20

ESPN "In the end, despite all the grumbling and fussing about the slow offseason, George Springer will get his money. All it took was the biggest contract in Toronto Blue Jays history, a six-year, $150 million deal, according to Jeff Passan, just the second $100 million..." January 20

Bleacher Report "For Major League Baseball teams, the pain of a trade gone wrong can last for years. Allow us to illustrate. We've highlighted a handful of trades—officially 13, but with one two-for-one special and one three-for-one special—from recent years that have already..." January 20

CBS Sports "Although Major League Baseball's amateur draft is less than six months away, the scouting schedule leading into the home stretch remains in flux. One key unresolved matter is the league's desire to host a medical combine-like event in June, just weeks before the draft unfolds. The..." January 20

Masn "Almost two full months have passed since the Orioles set their 40-man roster before the Rule 5 draft and chose to designate Renato Núñez for assignment. One of their arbitration-eligible players was redirected into free agency. Another team would have to be comfortable..." January 20

The Score "George Springer is flying north. The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a contract with the free-agent outfielder, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Completion of the deal is pending a physical. Springer now is en route to the team's complex in Dunedin,..." January 20

Sportsnet "With George Springer secured, the Toronto Blue Jays are still trying to sign free-agent outfielder Michael Brantley, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Brantley is represented by the same agency as Springer and the pair were teammates for two..." January 20

Sportsnet "The Toronto Blue Jays have had a whirlwind winter in the rumour mill, but have not yet been able to acquire the type of high-end talent the fan base is clamouring for. Re-signing Robbie Ray and adding Tyler Chatwood should help the Blue Jays' pitching..." January 19

Bleacher Report "The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly zeroing in on free-agent center fielder George Springer. According to Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, the American League East team is "making a push" to sign Springer. The report called the..." January 19

CBS Sports "On Friday, the New York Yankees and infielder DJ LeMahieu agreed to terms on a six-year contract worth $90 million. The deal ensures LeMahieu will have the opportunity to build upon his first two seasons in pinstripes, during which he earned MVP consideration in both years..." January 19

CBS Sports "Last week, Major League Baseball's commissioner Rob Manfred informed teams to prepare for a full-length season that will start as scheduled -- or, a clean break from the altered 2020 campaign. In about a month's time, then, pitchers and catchers will be reporting to various..." January 19

MLB.com "Morosi: Springer decision could come this week Jan. 18: Springer's free agency could reach a conclusion this week, multiple industry sources told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi. The Mets and Blue Jays have been the two leading clubs in the Springer race throughout..." January 18

Bleacher Report "It's comeback season for Yasiel Puig. According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, several teams are interested in seeing what the outfielder has to offer, including the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles. After sitting out the 2020..." January 18

SI "Not much has changed in the week since the Mets traded for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco. The deal between the Big Money Mets and this offseason’s best trade candidate did not exactly jolt the market. Top free agents Trevor Bauer, J.T. Realmuto and George Springer remain..." January 18

Bleacher Report "The start of spring training is (hopefully) inching ever closer, but actual action on Major League Baseball's 2020-21 offseason market continues to be sporadic. So, it can't hurt to try to will some blockbuster trades into existence. We have ideas for eight..." January 18

The Score "Right-handed reliever Jeremy Jeffress is generating interest from at least 10 teams in free agency, sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays,..." January 18

The Score "Free-agent right-hander Kirby Yates has narrowed down the offers he's considering to five teams, and the San Diego Padres are not one of them, a source told Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Acee didn't name the clubs considering Yates but did..." January 18

MLB.com "No other free agent for 2020-21 can match the October pedigree of George Springer, whose 19 career postseason home runs are tied for the fourth most in history. That included four dingers in the '20 postseason for Springer, who was one of the few Astros who hovered near his expected..." January 17

MLB.com "If you think MLB Pipeline's sixth annual All-Defense team looks familiar, you're correct. Seven of the eight members have made previous editions of our squad of the best defensive prospects in the game. Braves outfielder Cristian Pache, a mainstay on the All-Defense team since..." January 17

Talking Baseball "The Tri-City ValleyCats are suing the Houston Astros and Major League Baseball arising out of this offseason’s contraction of minor-league baseball, reports Daniel Kaplan of the Athletic. They become the second affiliate known to pursue legal action against their former parent club..." January 16

Bleacher Report "Theo Epstein is deeply worried about the future. So he's taken a role with the league to fix what ails America's pastime. The architect of the Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series win and the Boston Red Sox's 2004 and 2007 titles was hired by Major League Baseball..." January 15