Houston Astros News: January 11, 2017

Astros News

If what Carlos Beltran says is true, the Astros may be a World Series contender - CBSSports.com
Beltran wrote about his decision to sign with Houston and his outlook for the club

Astros trio working out at Minute Maid Park | MLB.com
There might not be three more pivotal players to the Astros' success this year than pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers and second baseman Jose Altuve.

Why I’m Coming Back to Houston | The Players' Tribune
A few weeks ago, after I had decided I was going to sign with the Astros for next season, one of the first things I did was call up José Altuve and Carlos Correa.

Morgan Ensberg to manage Astros' Class A affiliate - Houston Chronicle
Morgan Ensberg is getting a shot at managing in the minor leagues.

Astros lead contenders for Jose Quintana trade | MLB.com
The Astros are ready to win the American League West and achieve the destiny that Sports Illustrated proclaimed for them a few years back -- 2017 World Series champions. There's just this one nagging detail.

MLB News

We assigned cooler names to old players to get them into the Hall of Fame - SBNation.com
Catfish Hunter got into the Hall of Fame on his third try, with a huge assist from a cool name. We need to help other players from the past, too.

The Dodgers are at an ‘impasse’ with the Twins and Brian Dozier - SBNation.com
Wednesday’s Say Hey, Baseball includes the end of Dozier trade talks, Wally Backman’s claims against the Mets, and Jose Bautista’s market.

If the Dodgers aren’t budging on Brian Dozier, the Giants have a shot - McCovey Chronicles
This is rank speculation, but that’s my favorite kind.

Which teams are the most tortured franchises in baseball? - SBNation.com
After the Indians, of course. After the Indians.

Jose Bautista is waiting, and it’s costing him money - Beyond the Box Score
It’s January, and Jose Bautista is still without a team. How have past late signees fared? Spoiler: not well.