*Jeff Luhnow is looking for pitching, but likes what he sees in the organization. Luhnow:
We are looking at both short- and medium-term deals for pitchers. That being said, I think a year from now we'll know a lot more about Corbin Martin, we'll know a lot more about Forrest Whitley, and we'll have a better sense on James and Valdez, and it could be we don't have an issue a year from now.
*Yep, looks like Collin McHugh is back in the rotation. Forrest Whitley and Corbin Martin will be in Major League camp.
*Mark Feinsand reports the Astros are "engaged with" J.A. Happ and Lance Lynn.
*Hinch, on the rotation:
I get asked a lot about the rotation because we lost McCullers to injury and Morton and Keuchel to free agency. Time will tell how those gaps are filled. We do have some internal guys, including McHugh and Peacock, who have done it before, and Josh James and Framber Valdez came up and did well. And you talk about the prospects that were in Double-A - Corbin Martin, Forrest Whitley, Cionel Perez made his Major League debut last year. Those are easy names to rattle off.
*Speaking of corner outfielders, here's Luhnow, on Kyle Tucker:
Kyle has all the ability in the world, and he will do it, but when things come easy to you in the Minor Leagues, sometimes you just expect that in the big leagues. He'll be fine. I have a lot of confidence in him.
*Nelson Cruz is deciding between the Rays and Twins, and the Astros appear out.
*Eno Sarris went gamblin' and asked baseball people about the early odds.
*P.J. Tucker spilled Alex Bregman's beer.
*Scott Fowler rang Rae Carruth's doorbell. This is what happened next. *Here is a cursed video of Tyler Bauer earnestly singing/rapping:Jeff Luhnow said the Astros' baseball ops department went to Jose Andreas' Bazaar Meat in Vegas last night.— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 12, 2018
"Had 24 baseball ops folks crushing meat. It was good," Luhnow said.
*Wash your ears with today's musical selection from Ocean Colour Scene, one of my favorite bands of all-time:
