Climbing Tal's Hill

The Astros have been linked to various free agents and trade targets since the offseason started. However, don’t expect one position to be addressed externally this winter. Thanks to a recent story from Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, the Astros reportedly aren’t in a rush to address their left-handed relief depth as noted here […] Astros likely staying internal for left-handed relief help - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Yes, the Astros didn’t make a splash of any kind during the Winter Meetings. By the way, there isn’t anything wrong with that. In the weeks following the postseason, the Astros developed a clear list of needs: Catcher, starting pitcher(s), designated hitter, left-handed bat, and additional depth. By the time the Winter Meetings had begun, […] Astros: The offseason isn’t over yet - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Will the Astros do what it takes to sign Michael Brantley? For the past two seasons, Astros fans have called for Kyle Tucker to get promoted. He got his first shot last season and looked a little overmatched. While he didn’t have the best start to his career, fans were still in awe of his […] Astros: The McCutchen Deal ups the Ante for Michael Brantley - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

In the Astros’ search for some offensive punch, they could find a trade partner in a division rival. The Seattle Mariners are wheeling and dealing, with GM Jerry Dipoto seemingly trading everything that’s not nailed down. Meanwhile, the Astros are looking to add a bat to their lineup. The division rival Mariners could be a […] Astros, Mariners could match up on trade for hitter - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The Winter Meetings wrap up today with the Rule 5 Draft and Astros’ GM Jeff Luhnow will be leaving Las Vegas today with no deal in hand. With the completion of the Rule 5 Draft today, the Winter Meetings will have come and gone. By normal standards, this year’s gathering of MLB executives and owners […] Astros: Jeff Luhnow departs Winter Meetings empty-handed - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

One of the Astros’ key contributors over the last two seasons finds a new professional home. The man who closed out Game 7 of the 2017 World Series for the Astros, Charlie Morton, is now a member of the Rays. And I can’t help but be happy for the guy. Free agent starter Charlie Morton and […] Astros: Goodbye, Charlie Morton - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The Astros had a club record payroll in 2018, but that number could rise even higher in 2019. Remember in the mid-2000s when the Astros‘ payroll was approaching $100 million, and it was a big deal? My how things change. Astros owner Jim Crane told MLB.com that he’s prepared to raise the team’s payroll in […] Astros’ owner Jim Crane says payroll has room to increase - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The Winter Meetings are in full swing and the rumors are rampant. Will the Astros reel in one of the highly coveted pitchers, there for the taking? The priorities of the Astros‘ GM, Jeff Luhnow, are no secret, a quality starting pitcher, bullpen help and offensive support for the lineup. Depending on what they’re able […] Astros: Pitchers that would fit like a glove in Houston - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The Astros enter the Winter Meetings with a relatively short wish list, but don’t rule out an upgrade or two. If the first five weeks or so of the offseason is any indication, I’d expect an active Winter Meetings this week. For one, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still free-agents along with other quality […] Astros offseason update: MLB’s Winter Meetings are underway - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The Houston Astros are rumored to be one of the teams interested in free agent Josh Harrison, the two-time All-Star infielder of the Pittsburgh Pirates. With the uncertainty of the Astros and Marwin Gonzalez reigniting their relationship, Houston has reportedly shown interested in Josh Harrison. Harrison has primarily occupied the second and third base positions […] Rumor: Astros show interest in free agent infielder Josh Harrison - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The starting rotation of the Astros’ pitching staff has become a situation of need this offseason. What are their options going into the Winter Meetings? A few of the top pitchers on the market have already been taken off the board. The Washington Nationals have signed free agent Patrick Corbin, the New York Yankees acquired […] Astros: Assessing the pitcher options ahead of the Winter Meetings - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Taking a look at how the Astros’ offseason plans stand at a critical time on the calendar. Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings begin Sunday, Dec. 9 in Las Vegas and conclude with the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday. This is typically an active time in the offseason, as all the key people are together in one […] Astros: Taking stock of the offseason as Winter Meetings begin - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo, both former players for the Houston Astros, died in a vehicle accident in Yarucuy, Venezuela. According to the Orange County Register, the vehicle struck a rock that had rolled into the road. The car was reportedly driven by the driver of former Arizona Diamondback player Carlos Rivera. Luis Valbuena and […] Former Astros Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo killed in car accident - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The FanSided network has released their 3rd annual Fandom 250 and the fans of the Houston Astros have been ranked #4 among MLB teams. The initial Fandom 250 first came out in 2016, omitting the Astros fans in their ranking. After the Astros won the World Series in 2017, the fandom of the Houston Astros […] Houston Astros’ fans are ranked #4 by Fandom 250 - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

By agreeing to sign Robinson Chirinos, the Astros appear set at catcher for next season. For better or worse. The Astros used four catchers last season en route to a 103-win season: Max Stassi, Brian McCann, Martin Maldonado, and Tim Federowicz. Of those four, only Stassi remains on the Astros’ active roster today. To say […] Astros: Breaking down the signing of Robinson Chirinos - Climbing Tals Hill - Climbing Tals Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More