Astros Morning Snippets: No more J.T. Realmuto rumors

The latest news around the Astros and baseball on February 8th, including a sudden stop to any rumors surrounding J.T. Realmuto and an impromptu celebration of Kyle Tucker believers at 501 Crawford Street in Houston. I partly joke about the second half of the previous line.

J.T. Realmuto to the Phillies

Obviously, the biggest baseball news of yesterday belonged to the Phillies, who acquired Realmuto from the Marlins. Here are all the moving parts:

Phillies receive:

• C J.T. Realmuto

Marlins receive:

• RHP Sixto Sanchez
• C Jorge Alfaro
• LHP Will Stewart
• $250,000 international bonus-pool money

Needless to say, the Astros will not be linked to Realmuto for a long time, if ever again. Houston will now undoubtedly roll with Max Stassi and Robinson Chirinos at their two major league catchers with Garrett Stubbs waiting at Round Rock.

Former Astro Hunter Pence signs MiLB deal with the Rangers

Although he hasn’t played for the Astros since the 2011 season, Hunter Pence will always be fondly remembered in Houston. He was one of the few bright spots on the roster when the club started to decline roughly ten years ago. Now, he hopes to continue his major league career with his hometown Rangers, who signed him to a minor league contract with an invite to Texas’ Spring Training.

Goodbye to the Disabled List, hello to the Injured List

As noted here by Jeff Passan of ESPN, Major League Baseball has decided to rebrand the “Disabled List” as the “Injured List.” Here is the prime reason behind the change:

The league will make the change out of concern that the term “disabled” for injured players falsely conflates disabilities with injuries and an inability to participate in sports.

Although I personally never had an issue with the name itself, I do understand where others are coming from. Honestly, the purpose of the DL was for primarily for injuries, so its new name does make sense. But I would argue that the inactive list would be an even more appropriate name.

RIP Frank Robinson

Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, one of the best players in baseball history and the first African-American manager in Major League Baseball history, passed away on February 7th at the age of 83. Primarily known for his playing years with the Reds (1956-65) and Orioles (1966-71), Robinson is currently ranked 10th on the all-time home run list with 586. He is also the only player to ever win the MVP award in both the AL and the NL. Following his playing days, which ended in 1976, Robison would manage four teams — the Indians, Giants, Orioles, and Expos/Nationals — at various times in the proceeding decades through the 2006 season. Truly a sad day for baseball.