Slow news day. The Astros won the World Series.
*Jake Kaplan talks about what the signings of Joe Smith and Hector Rondon mean for the pitching staff and we finally learn that Brad Peacock will definitely have a job next year, though it's still up in the air if he'll start or relieve.
Current options for rotation (in no particular order):
1. Keuchel
2. Verlander
3. McCullers
4. Morton
5. McHugh
6. Peacock
7. Musgrove
8. Martes (hey, it could happen)
Bullpen:
(Peacock or McHugh or Musgrove)
Ken Giles
Will Harris
Chris Devenski
Joe Smith
Hector Rondon
Tony Sipp
James Hoyt
Anthony Gose (?)
In Kaplan's story, Luhnow discussed the importance of Spring Training for Tony Sipp. Sipp's 2017 was overall a disaster (5.79 ERA, -0.4 bWAR) but when he returned from injury in September he threw 5.1IP, 8H/1ER, 6K:2BB. Silver linings and whatnot.
*Marc Topkin says that the Astros are one of nine teams interested in Chris Archer.
*ICYMI: Actually, Ken Giles is good.
*Marc Carig took a flamethrower to Mets ownership.
*The secret WW2 history hidden in London's fences.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
