Actual news, you say?
*MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is reporting that the Astros and Former Astros Great Jason Castro are "in serious talks" and a deal could be completed soon.
It's kind of hard to believe but Castro, the Astros' 1st Round pick (10th overall) in 2008 will be in his Age 34 season in 2021. He's a career .230/.312/.390 hitter and, in 452 games from 2015-2020 has hit .218/.309/.380 for the Astros/Twins/Angels/Padres. Defensively, I guess it's fine, but this obviously means the Astros don't think all that much of Garrett Stubbs while it also doesn't address the Astros' most-glaring needs in the outfield and on the pitching staff. It's just...weird.
*The Astros agreed to a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training with 25-year old outfielder Jose Siri. In 594 minor-league games, Siri has hit .264/.313/.447 with 675K:147BB, reaching Triple-A for 30 games in 2019. As Astros.com notes, Siri was a Top-10 prospect for the Reds in 2018 and 2019 but was claimed off waivers twice in 2020, ending the year in the Giants' organization. He's hitting .281 in the Dominican Winter League right now.
*SI lists Jose Altuve as one of the MLB stars looking for a bounce-back season in 2021.
*McTaggart: How the Astros got their name.
*As many as 20 teams were in attendance for James Paxton's recent showcase.
*Former Astros Great Dustin Garneau signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers.
*FanGraphs has JAWS' take on Jeff Kent's HOF candidacy.
*Czech out the new episode of Lima Time Time, and also the new Michael Bourn Identity where I talk to Elsik's head soccer coach Vincenzo Cox.
*Current Leeds United Legend Marcelo Bielsa went on a 41-minute rant to explain how Leeds were better than Manchester United, despite United blasting the hell out of Leeds 6-2 on Sunday. Leeds are currently at 8% to get relegated.
*Why on earth is someone stealing unpublished book manuscripts?
*Vice: No New Years' Resolutions in 2021.
*Fast Company: The 26 best apps of 2020.
*My favorite musical discovery of 2020 was actually released in 1972:
