Not much happening, and the last few days have been pretty crazy for me, personally. So let's just round up what we've learned. If something happens that warrants a post, I'll be back. If not, I hope you have a Merry Christmas and, if you're traveling, you make it to your destination safely. Best wishes to you and your families.
*Martin Maldonado took less money to sign with the Astros, at 2yrs/$7m.
*Jake Kaplan projected the Astros' 2020 26-Man Roster.
*Roster Resource says the Astros' 2020 payroll is right about $237m. Players (and their salaries) coming off the books - as of right now - after this season:
George Springer ($21.4m based on arbitration projections)
Michael Brantley ($16m)
Josh Reddick ($13m)
Yuli Gurriel ($8.3m)
Brad Peacock ($4.6m)
That's about $63.3m and the entire outfield.
*Brian McTaggart ranked the Top 10 Astros of the decade.
*Beyond the Box Score has the Yankees at 3/1, Dodgers at 6/1, and Astros at 7/1 to win the 2020 World Series.
A's: 30/1
Angels: 30/1
Arlington: 50/1
Seattle: 5000/1
*Don't let MLB insult you.
*Statistical oddities for every MLB team in 2019.
*The White Sox signed Dallas Keuchel to a 3yr/$55.5m deal, with a vesting option for a 4th year. This offseason the White Sox have acquired Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal, Nomar Mazara, and James McCann.
*The MLB Umpires Association has agreed to a 5-year labor contract, part of which Teh Umpires have agreed to cooperate with a test of an automated strike zone.
*FanGraphs' Craig Edwards: Gerrit Cole's monster contract, historically speaking.
*Wade Miley signed a 2yr/$15m deal with Cincinnati, with a club option for 2022. FanGraphs says his cutter should be better in 2020.
*ESPN has way-too-early starting rotation rankings.
*1843: The death of the calorie.
*The New Yorker: A suspense novelist's trail of deceptions.
*GQ: Secrets of the world's greatest art thief.
*A Musical Selection:
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith