For the most part, things have (publicly) settled down with the Astros after the Ken Giles trade. Still, I think we can rustle up a few things of interest...
*Of the 42 markets with an MLB, NBA, and/or an NFL team, Grammarly ranked Houston 29th in terms of "most grammatical mistakes per 100 words," with 12.70.
I actually think this is because Grammarly doesn't understand what "cHRis carter" meant.
*Alex Speier: Giles, Kimbrel deals show relief doesn't come cheap.
*Phillies GM Matt Klentak said the Astros' offer was too good to pass up.
*This Marc Hulet FanGraphs piece says that the failed physical was (allegedly) Derek Fisher.
*While working out the details of the Giles deal, the Astros were in on Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, Jake McGee, Brad Boxberger, and Craig Kimbrel.
*The Astros are not on Jonathan Papelbon's no-trade list. Good, it would be fun to have a guy in the clubhouse who might choke you at any point.
*Ted Berg has a good writeup of Mark Appel and the effectiveness of the MLB draft.
*Former Astros announcer Dave Raymond will help out on the Rangers tv and radio broadcasts.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
