Astros Crawfish Boil: Friday, February 24, 2023

Welcome to the Friday Boil.

In the tag above, I state that although the games start tomorrow, they don’t really count. The thing is, they really, really do. If you think these games are only practice, think about the 28-year-old career AAAA outfielder’s parents who is in camp on a non-roster invite. Think they care?

It’s easy to forget the social cache that comes with making it to the majors, even once. That, plus the “minimum wage” is frankly, life-altering to a career minor leaguer.

Houston Astros News

Houston Astros Star Among Those With Highest Odds to Win AL MVP in 2023 (si.com)

No. 9 Player Right Now: Alvarez (mlb.com)

Astros didn’t add veteran pitcher in offseason because ‘we didn’t have a general manager,’ says Dusty Baker (cbssports.com)

Astros’ Hunter Brown has clear path to rotation after McCullers injury (chron.com)

Whitley Hopes To Contribute To Astros After Long Road Since Draft (si.com)

Houston Astros Relief Pitcher Shut Down With Back Spasms (si.com)

AL West News

Oakland A’s form ‘Athletic Investment’ lobbying group ahead of possible Las Vegas move (kntv.com)

Mariners’ Ty France aims to take his best swings now that he’s healthy again (theathletic.com)

Angels News: Griffin Canning Provides Positive Update Amid Road Back (si.com)

Rangers new ace deGrom finally throws 1st bullpen of spring (cbsnews.com)

Other MLB News

Tampa may be MLB’s choice for the Rays, but the Tropicana Field site is where the money is (tampabay.com)

MLB.TV is back! Stream games this weekend (mlb.com)

How the Cleveland Guardians plan to adapt to MLB’s new rules (theathletic.com)

MLB legend ‘not a big fan’ of league’s rule changes: ‘Play the game the way it is’ (foxnews.com)

MLB gearing up to refocus on ‘sticky stuff’ enforcement: Here’s what it could entail (theathletic.com)

Pujols back with Angels as special assistant (MLB.com)

This Date in Astros History

Birthdays

Frank Charles (54) played four games for the 2000 Astros in a highly successful cup of coffee. He went three-for-seven with a double and two RBI, but never before or after made it to the majors.

Well-traveled minor leaguer Brian Esposito (44) had his second of two cups of coffee with the Astros in 2010, going 0-for-3 in two games. His first was in 2007 with the St. Louis Cardinals, but he did not get a plate appearance.

Former first-round pick Frank Riccelli (70) pitched in 13 games for the 1978 and 1979 Astros, including two starts. He walked 18 and struck out 21 in 25 innings, posting a 3.60 ERA.

Transactions

1967 - Jim Ray was traded from Houston to the New York Mets for $$$

1984 - Acquired Tom Wieghaus for a PTBNL (George Bjorkman)

2004 - Signed Nolan Ryan to a five-year personal services agreement

2007 - Angel Gonzalez signed through international free agency

2009 - Alberto Arias re-signed with the Astros to a one-year deal

2010 - Fernando Abad and Wilton Lopez each re-signed a one-year deal

2011 - Barry Butera and Paul Gerrish retired from the minors, David Duncan signed a minor league deal

2012 - Fernando Martinez, Sergio Escalona, and Wilton Lopez re-signed one-year deals

2014 - Marcos Almonte signed through free agency

2018 - Cy Sneed, Ryne Birk, Stephen Wrenn, and Yoanys Quiala invited to Spring Training

2019 - Seventeen minor leaguers assigned to the Astros, including Cristian Javier, Jeremy Peña, and Corey Julks

2020 - Brett Adcock and Corey Julks were assigned to the Astros