*A.J. Hinch spent a few days last week in Arizona getting a look at the prospects in the Arizona Fall League, and had good things to say about Francis Martes and catcher Garrett Stubbs.
*With one executive saying that 2/3 of the league is looking to upgrade at catcher "or flat-out needs one," Joel Sherman says to look for the Astros to make a play for Brian McCann if the Yankees decide to shop him. Sherman:
Another executive said McCann still has enough qualities - power, durability, positive clubhouse rep, good defense - to allow the Yankees to trade him and probably get something desirable back, especially if they eat about $6 million annually of the $18 million he is owed in 2017 and 2018.
*This broke Friday afternoon, but Alan Ashby will not return to the Astros' broadcast booth in 2017. Ashby:
I am not going to be back...I am greatly hurt, but that's the way things go. It didn't catch me off guard, but when it happens, it hurts a lot.
*The Astros have 12/1 odds to win the 2017 World Series, behind the Cubs, Dodgers, Nationals, and Red Sox, and tied with the Mets and Indians.
*Mike Fiers and his boys re-created the Sandlot picture for Halloween.
*The current CBA expires on December 1 and while both sides are hammering out negotiations, Rob Manfred said the rules could roll over through this off-season so free agents don't stall the market waiting to see what happens.
*Javier Baez, Francisco Lindor, Roberto Perez and the "dream" of repping Puerto Rico in the World Series. (Would have been nice to see Correa in there...)
*You have to scroll down, but Jon Heyman says the Blue Jays are leaning towards keeping Edwin Encarnacion and letting Jose Bautista walk.
*FanGraphs: The most fascinating stolen base that didn't matter in Game 5
*Hardball Times: Baseball meets horror
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
