Astros Crawfish Boil: Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Here’s the Wednesday Boil!

No pressure: Valdez ready to be Astros’ ace (mlb.com)

Why Jose Altuve might be the Astros’ most sensible extension candidate (chron.com)

Houston Astros exploring different role for Michael Brantley in 2023 (chron.com)

How Houston Astros closer Ryan Pressly is mirroring a franchise legend (chron.com)

Abreu on transition to the Astros (mlb.com)

How former top prospect could be even bigger piece of Astros 2023 puzzle (houstonsportsmap.com)

An Astros player needed to bulk up. How? By scarfing down everything in sight. ($houstonchronicle.com$)

The Five Houston Astros Most Impacted by MLB Rules Changes (houstonpress.com)

AL West News

2023 Rival Preview: The Oakland A’s have no interest in winning baseball games (bluejaysnation.com)
This has to be embarrassing. Unlike Houston’s tank around nine-to-11 years ago, this one has no end in sight. Non-divisional opponents are even piling on.

Motivated Marco Gonzales is Seattle’s ancient Mariner: ‘Fire is always lit’ (theathletic.com)

After latest spree, Rangers know: ‘It’s time to win’ (mlb.com)

The dream Los Angeles Angels Opening Day starting lineup and pitcher (halohangout.com)

Other MLB News

How MLB’s New Rules Could Change Baseball In 2023 (fivethirtyeight.com)

Sarris: Ten young MLB pitchers poised to break out this season (theathletic.com)

MLB Power Rankings: Picking baseball’s top 10 lineups entering 2023 season with Braves, Astros at the top (cbssports.com)

MLB rumors: Luke Voit joins Brewers; baseball’s No. 2 prospect in early stages of extension talks (cbssports.com)

5 pitchers who could lead MLB in strikeouts this year (mlb.com)

Milwaukee Burn(e)s a Bridge (fangraphs.com)
It’s not that Milwaukee couldn’t come to terms with Burnes and had to go to arbitration. It’s the incredible things they said to him at the hearings. A terrible misfire by Milwaukee.

Could a dispute over $750K cost Brewers their ace? (yardbarker.com)

CEO John Angelos wants the Orioles to be ‘the next Tampa.’ What happened to the next Houston? | ANALYSIS ($baltimoresun.com$)

An Exceptional Season in the Annals of Stealing Home (fangraphs.com)