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The Launch Angle
@launchanglehou.bsky.social
For Astros fans who want more than the box score.

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Reposted by The Launch Angle
Sources: the Astros and Giants are nearing a trade that would send right-hander Kai-Wei Teng to Houston in exchange for catching prospect Jancel Villareal. Teng is an optionable swingman who can pitch out of the rotation or within a bullpen that could use more right-handed depth
January 30, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Good for Chas!
The Chicago Cubs are signing outfielder Chas McCormick to a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to major-league camp, source tells @theathletic.com
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January 22, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones Headline a Historic 2026 Hall of Fame Class, Plus What It Means Going Forward

launch-angle.com/2026/01/21/c...
Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones Headline a Historic 2026 Hall of Fame Class, Plus What It Means Going Forward
For the third year in a row (and tenth time in the last twelve elections), the Baseball Writers Association of America has inducted multiple players into the Hall of Fame. For 2026, centerfielders …
launch-angle.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:46 PM
ICYMI, @astrosstats.bsky.social was on Locked On Astros yesterday with Eric Huysman, to discuss the Astros’ offseason, the pitching staff, Kyle Tucker’s market, the infield logjam, and The Launch Angle.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pX-...
Can the Astros compete with the top teams in the American Leagues
YouTube video by Locked On Astros
www.youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Reposted by The Launch Angle
Here is the Astros' spring training roster. Non-roster invitees include Walker Janek, Lucas Spence and Joseph Sullivan. Also, Brice Matthews is wearing No. 0 now.
January 16, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Alex Bregman, between his time with the Red Sox and Cubs, will make $215 million across six years. The Astros offer to him after 2024 was six years, $156 million.

I think he did just fine in free agency.
January 11, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Reposted by The Launch Angle
The Astros did not come to a salary agreement with infielder Isaac Paredes, source tells @theathletic.com. Houston is a file and trial club, so the team is headed to an arbitration hearing with Paredes, whom @mlbtraderumors.bsky.social projected to make $9.3 million.
January 9, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Reposted by The Launch Angle
I’m quite curious to see how Tatsuya Imai’s adjusts to MLB hitters with his strike throwing. In any case, this is a trend I like to see, regardless of league.
January 5, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Digging Deeper: Tatsuya Imai

Throughout the offseason, one message kept surfacing: the Astros were intent on adding to their starting rotation. Easy enough to address, right? Not quite, once you factor in the financial constraints. Whether self-imposed or not, the financial constraints matter. If…
Digging Deeper: Tatsuya Imai
Throughout the offseason, one message kept surfacing: the Astros were intent on adding to their starting rotation. Easy enough to address, right? Not quite, once you factor in the financial constraints. Whether self-imposed or not, the financial constraints matter. If the mandate is truly to avoid the $244 million first tax threshold for the 2026 season, Dana Brown and the front office would be forced to operate with efficiency in mind.
launch-angle.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:26 PM
The Launch Briefing – January 5, 2026

Happy Tatsuya Imai day to anyone who celebrates! The Astros are set to officially introduce their new pitcher at Daikin Park later today, but he’s already turned some heads in Houston after making an appearance at Sunday’s Texans–Colts game at NRG Stadium. I…
The Launch Briefing – January 5, 2026
Happy Tatsuya Imai day to anyone who celebrates! The Astros are set to officially introduce their new pitcher at Daikin Park later today, but he’s already turned some heads in Houston after making an appearance at Sunday’s Texans–Colts game at NRG Stadium. I have a hunch that he'll fit in just fine with his new team and city. In other news, here's to you, Kaleb Ort, who was designated for assignment following Imai's contract becoming official.
launch-angle.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:46 PM
A CBT Update And Some Payroll Related Thoughts

Tatsuya Imai agreeing to terms with the Astros for three years and $54 million (up to $63 million including incentives), with opt-outs after both the 2026 and 2027 seasons, was certainly a surprise. It feels appropriate to classify it as such. Based…
A CBT Update And Some Payroll Related Thoughts
Tatsuya Imai agreeing to terms with the Astros for three years and $54 million (up to $63 million including incentives), with opt-outs after both the 2026 and 2027 seasons, was certainly a surprise. It feels appropriate to classify it as such. Based on the reactions I've read and listened to since the news broke, I don't know how it isn't. Yes, we all knew that the organization was prioritizing starting pitching this offseason.
launch-angle.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The Launch Briefing – January 2, 2026

2026 is here, for better or worse. For the Astros, they're definitely hoping for the former, considering they did agree to terms with Tatsuya Imai on Thursday. In any case, baseball is inching closer to a return as Spring Training isn't that far away now.…
The Launch Briefing – January 2, 2026
2026 is here, for better or worse. For the Astros, they're definitely hoping for the former, considering they did agree to terms with Tatsuya Imai on Thursday. In any case, baseball is inching closer to a return as Spring Training isn't that far away now. We're only 50 days away from the first Grapefruit League game of the year. While the novelty of Spring Training and Grapefruit League games tends to wear off quickly, it is a relief knowing that baseball will exit its offseason sooner rather than later.
launch-angle.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Analyzing Free Agent Catchers for Astros’ Backup Role
Analyzing Free Agent Catchers for Astros’ Backup Role
The Astros are in the market for a backup catcher. According to general manager Dana Brown, acquiring a backup catcher is next on the off-season agenda. This is based on the assumption that the cur…
launch-angle.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Quick Thoughts: Astros Trade For Mike Burrows

The top priority for the Astros in the offseason was to bolster a pitching staff already short on depth, specifically starters, and likely losing Framber Valdez to another team in free agency. The rotation looked increasingly more like Hunter Brown,…
Quick Thoughts: Astros Trade For Mike Burrows
The top priority for the Astros in the offseason was to bolster a pitching staff already short on depth, specifically starters, and likely losing Framber Valdez to another team in free agency. The rotation looked increasingly more like Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and a bunch of question marks. In turn, Dana Brown signed Nate Pearson and Ryan Weiss…
launch-angle.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:23 PM