Welcome to the Launch Briefing, a daily feature, where you will find a roundup of news and interesting stories from the Astros clubhouse and from around the league.
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It’s the Friday Launch!
Houston Astros News
What should the Astros do about their infield? (TR)
Astros outright Bolton (CBS)
AL West News
Brash activated for M’s (SNW)
Clarke out beyond All-Star break (TR)
Another name change for the Angels? (NYP)
MLB News
Acuña left day-to-day with thumb injury
DeJong undergoes hamstring surgery (RW)
O’s outright Espada (CBS)
Snelling undergoes surgery (ESPN)
Hinds traded to Marlins (L12)
Houston Astros birthdays
RHP Conor Steinbaugh (27, High-A)
Feature photo from Astros on X, Source Link
MLBTR article is not very encouraging if the Astros become sellers.
Yeah, salary-dumping Walker might be the best play if you believe this roster can be competitive with better pitching and a consistent outfield bat next year. If Crane doesn’t want to pay the luxury tax this offseason, you would at least give yourself some room to operate in free agency one more time.
If it works, maybe that convinces Crane to go above it to keep Pena and/or lock up Alvarez and keep the window open. If it doesn’t, they can have a fire sale in 27 and move anybody who even has marginal value for prospects. Altuve can then wrap his career on teams very reminiscent of the ones he started his career with.