*The Masked Marvel has a good write up on Keuchel's and Altuve's Gold Gloves. Mactaggart noted on Twitter that it's the first time the Astros have had two Gold Glove winners on the same team since Bagwell and Biggio did it in 1994.
*Luhnow has already started conversations with free agents and other teams about possible upgrades, but admits:
I don't know which way it's going to go.
Within that article, Brewers GM David Stearns notes that this year's GM Meetings is already a little more active than in years past. Also, even though the obvious offensive upgrade is at 1B, Luhnow likes their depth. In addition to Jed Lowrie, "Valbuena can play first base. Carter we need to make a decision on. We've got Singleton. We've got Reed and (Tyler) White coming. Maybe we won't know until spring training's over and even not until the season's underway."
*The Luhnow Corollary:
The fewer spots you have where you can improve, the more pressure there is to improve on those spots. We're obviously not looking for a shortstop...for a second baseman. We feel pretty good about the top of our rotation, but we've got to figure out where in the puzzle are the areas we can improve...it becomes harder, not easier, because we know something is going to go wrong.
*Evan Drellich notes that the Astros aren't in on Ben Zobrist, at least yet, as he wants to play 2B. He also quotes Luhnow saying that it would be irresponsible to sign Scott Kazmir just to justify the trade.
*Sam Deduno was outrighted off the 40-Man Roster.
*Rob Manfred wants teams to protect their intellectual property (looks at Astros, Cardinals).
*The Reds are willing to listen on all players. Remember the Astros were engaged with the Reds on adding Aroldis Chapman back at the deadline.
*The Hall of Fame Board of Directors rejected a rule change proposed by writers to expand the ballot from 10 to 12.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
