MLB Trade Rumors

Earlier this week, Astros manager Joe Espada told the Houston beat that Jose Altuve would play the “majority” of his games in left field. The second-year skipper walked that back a bit on Friday, indicating that the team’s position player mix remains unsettled. “I’m not committed to Altuve being the everyday left fielder nor any X player being the everyday second baseman,” … [Read more...] about Astros Notes: Altuve, Smith, Walker, McCullers

The Cardinals got good news on Jordan Walker this afternoon. An MRI revealed no structural damage in his left knee, manager Oli Marmol told reporters (including John Denton of MLB.com). Walker is dealing with inflammation that’ll shut him down for around a week, but there’s nothing to suggest this’ll be a serious issue. It would have been a freak injury, as the young outfielder … [Read more...] about Injury Notes: Jordan Walker, Christian Walker, Topa

The Astros lost one star in free agency while trading away another. They're moving their longtime second baseman to left field. It'll be a different team, one they hope will remain a top AL contender in the short term while avoiding a true rebuild in the second half of this decade. Major League Signings 1B Christian Walker: Three years, $60MM LF Ben Gamel: One year, $1.2MM … [Read more...] about Offseason In Review: Houston Astros

The concept of Jose Altuve moving from second base to left field first emerged when the Astros reengaged with Alex Bregman late in the offseason. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported at the time that there were talks of re-signing Bregman, sliding Isaac Paredes from third base to second base and shifting Altuve to the outfield. Many initially took that with a heavy dose of … [Read more...] about Espada: Astros Plan For Altuve To Spend “Majority” Of Time In Left Field

The Astros are dealing with a handful of injuries to depth players in camp. Manager Joe Espada told reporters this morning that reliever Shawn Dubin is battling shoulder inflammation. Meanwhile, young outfielder Pedro León sustained a strained MCL in his left knee (relayed by Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle). While there’s no suggestion of surgery for either player, it … [Read more...] about Astros Notes: Dubin, Leon, Ort, Trammell