Friday Morning Hot Links

I don't want to do this at the moment but here we are.

*The Astros won some Silver Slugger awards: Alex Bregman, George Springer, and Zack Greinke. Good for them. Leonard Fournette stumped for Bregs.

*Gianni from The Block thinks the Yankees should sign both Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg.

*Southern California guy CC Sabathia has talked to Southern California guy Gerrit Cole about what it's like to play for the Yankees. Do the Astros eliminate the Yankees from the postseason in odd years only? I'm just curious.

*Anthony Castrovince's Bold Prediction is that Gerrit Cole signs with the White Sox.

*SI ranks the probable landing spots for Gerrit Cole, and Houston isn't in the Top 3.

*Forrest Whitley is MLB Pipeline's bet for the Astros' 2020 Rookie of the Year.

*Travis d'Arnaud, anybody?

*So, Reid Ryan will remain with the organization but not as Team President of Business Whatevers. Jim Crane's son, Jared (there's always a Jared) will...do something along those lines.

Jim Crane:
We felt at this time it was time for [Jared] to step in. I'm past retirement age, and he needs to learn the business if the family is going to retain the team...I'm not a spring chicken. I've been working hard for a long time, and in all of my stuff I'm building a succession plan. Baseball requires a plan in peace for each team, so we're doing that and planning for the family. It has nothing to do with Reid.

Reid Ryan:
Jim Crane has been a great owner for the city of Houston, and I thank him for the opportunity to lead the Houston Astros organization. Thank you to the many employees, fans, and partners that have supported this team during my tenure as president. Baseball is about bringing joy to people's lives and I take pride in knowing that we have made so many memories for our fans. While my role has changed, I will remain with the Astros and look forward to another great season in 2020.

Nolan Ryan, who had spent the last six seasons as an "executive advisor, told Fox 26 he will no longer serve in that role."

I know that, in the light of the recent guano-show that has become the Astros' front office, it's easy to blame the Cornell Douche. Crane said it had nothing to do with the Taubman Incident (now a major motion picture). Take that for what you will. But I don't think that changing Team Presidents happens in a matter of weeks. This had been in the works for a while, and Jim Crane sees the Astros as the family business, so of course his son is going to take over so that Crane can enjoy...golf, I think, maybe his wife, who's to say. Maybe that includes war profiteering but who am I to comment on such things? Honestly, I don't know what the reasoning is and anyone who says they do at this very moment is not telling the truth.

Jerome Solomon: Reid Ryan was good for the Astros.

Related! (Maybe,): Astros Farm Director Pete Putila is up for San Francisco's GM spot. Joe Espada could be his manager, says Mike Feinsand. MLB.com's Sarah Langs says Espada is the favorite to be the Giants' new manager.

*The Hardball Times: Juiced Balls don't explain 2019's home run explosion.

*A college athlete credibly accused of sexual assault was picked to coach the women's tennis team.

*Ay yo Nike f'd up.

*Texas Observer: When a rural hospital dies, the community around it starts to follow suit.

*A Musical Selection: