Welcome to the Thursday Boil.
We have a new full-season champion.
On a long-enough timeline, everything is inevitable. A Detroit Lions Super Bowl victory, a Sacramento Kings NBA Championship, and even the Los Angeles Dodgers, somehow eking out a full-season MLB championship.
Houston Astros News
Pay him or part with him? Factors Astros must weigh with free agent Alex Bregman (HC)
As the Alex Bregman sweepstakes begin, the Astros must pitch their plan to win (NY Times)
Houston Astros Rated One of Worst Teams in MLB at Underrated Offensive Component (SI) no big shocker here
MLB insider’s Alex Bregman prediction requires Astros to ignore longstanding model (CTH)
Breeders’ Cup: Astro’s Bregman swinging for the fences at Del Mar (Daily Racing Form)
Report: Houston Astros to Sign Cuban Pitcher Adriano Marrero (Astros Future)
A’s: Reggie Jackson’s “One Last Time” Event Serenades Coliseum With Softball Game (A’s Nation)
M’s: Three hitters the Mariners should target this offseason (Seattle Sports)
Blarts: Rangers see core coach stolen as White Sox manager search concludes (Nolan Writin)
Halos: Ron Washington’s recent comments further a potential schism between Trout and Angels (HH)
MLB News
Freeman named World Series MVP after record-setting homer spree
Dodgers take advantage of Yanks’ miscues for game-changing rally
Ohtani caps remarkable season with first World Series ring
Manfred: MLB To Test Ball-Strike Challenge System In Spring Training (MLBTR)
Dodgers ‘hit every speed bump possible’ on way to title
Brandon Leibrandt Elects Free Agency (MLBTR)
The Yankees Are Hoping Bad Baserunning Wins Championships Too (FG)
Dodgers upend Yanks with historic comeback for 8th World Series title
Soto faces free agency: ‘This year was really special’
‘It’s going to sting for a while’: Yanks lament lack of World Series execution
Should The Pirates Trade A Catcher? (MLBTR)
Houston Astros Birthdays
LF/2B Tony Kemp (33)
C John Hoffman (1943-2001)
2B/SS Anderson Hernández (42, yesterday)
SS Darwin De Leon (21)
LHP Tim Byrdak (51)
RHP Mark Portugal (62, yesterday)
C Ed Taubensee (56)
C Diego Campos (18, yesterday)