Javier roca

Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez earned further acclaim from the media Thursday as he placed third in the American League MVP voting , but he wasn't the only Astro to register a top-10 finish. A pair of Astros veterans joined Alvarez in the top 10, as Yankees star Aaron Judge took home the MVP award. Houston second baseman Jose Altuve finished fifth in the voting—sandwiched between Cleveland infielders José Ramírez and Andrés Giménez—while Astros ace Justin Verlander finished 10th. Verlander already took home some hardware earlier this offseason when he was unanimously named the AL Cy Young . Twitter — astros Twitter Astros standouts Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez also appeared on MVP ballots. Six Astros received at least one AL MVP vote: Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, Justin Verlander, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez. Alvarez appeared on all 30 ballots, Altuve on 28, Verlander on 14 and Tucker on 5. Bregman and Valdez were on one … [Read more...] about Houston Astros veterans join Yordan Alvarez near top of AL MVP voting

It's been more than a week since the Houston Astros clinched their second World Series title , but there's still an abundance of buzz swirling around the 2022 champions . One key piece—veteran reliever Rafael Montero—has already re-signed with the club . However, there are still several unknowns for the Astros in free agency and elsewhere. So, what are the greatest questions facing Houston this offseason? Astros fans chimed in with their thoughts. Are we going to be able to keep any of the free agents? - Billy Hebert While Montero might not be as splashy of a name as Justin Verlander , who is currently a free agent and likely on the verge of his third Cy Young , his return is significant. Montero went 5-2 with a 2.37 ERA, 1.024 WHIP, 14 saves and 73 strikeouts in 2022, and was a vital part of a relief staff that led the MLB in bullpen ERA. Verlander's situation is unique. He has been the ace of the Astros' rotation throughout their current dynasty. He also … [Read more...] about Astros mailbag: How the World Series champs will improve in 2023

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 6 LONDON (AP) — The first overseas trip by the Prince and Princess of Wales since the death of Queen Elizabeth II begins Wednesday, an occasion to show the world as much about who they are not as who they are. With their three-day visit to Boston, focused on Prince William’s initiative to find the environmental entrepreneurs of a new generation, supplemented with trips to an anti-poverty program, child development researchers and local flood defenses, the couple hope to demonstrate that they aren’t the last remnants of a dying institution. Instead, Americans will see the younger face of a monarchy that is tackling important issues as it seeks to remain relevant in modern, multicultural Britain. The visit comes less than three months after the death of Elizabeth, whose personal popularity dampened criticism of the crown during her 70-year reign. King Charles III, … [Read more...] about UK royals traveling to Boston with eye on environment prize

The Houston Astros secured their second championship in franchise history largely on the back of a dominant pitching staff , one that led the American League with a 2.90 ERA in 2022. But Houston's vaunted rotation may very well be without its ace in 2023. Justin Verlander is expected to earn a contract near or at the top of the starting pitching market , with his next deal potentially exceeding the three-year, $130 million contract Max Scherzer signed with the Mets last offseason. And despite entering his age-40 season in 2023, it's not hard to see why Verlander could command such a massive deal. He turned in perhaps the best season of his career in 2022 , a campaign in which he sported a 1.75 ERA across 175 innings. As the Dodgers and Mets loom as potential landing spots, Astros owner Jim Crane may choose to allocate the team's resources elsewhere. Houston should still have a rotation near the top of the American League even if Verlander departs. Framber Valdez can … [Read more...] about If Justin Verlander leaves, the Astros should consider these options