Welcome to Thursday Boil.

It’s Thursday’s edition of The Crawford Boxes “Crawfish Boil.” Let’s start cooking.

Houston Astros News

Bregman is the Astros’ “biggest offseason priority.”

3 Astros Players Who Could Be Victims of a Costly Alex Bregman Signing (CTH)

Astros notebook: Chas McCormick will get a chance to rebound, says GM (IHouston Chronicle)

How Scott Boras added another wrinkle to the Astros’ roster options (SportsMap Houston)

Alex Bregman Rumors: Nationals Among Suitors for Astros Star in MLB Free Agency (B/R)

Report: Astros considering trading Pressly (the Score)

Astros are optimistic about keeping Alex Bregman (YB).

Astros notes from GM meetings (Click2Houston)

AL West News

Oakland: A’s GM David Forst is in it ‘for the long haul’ as team sets its sights on Sacramento and Las Vegas (SF Chronicle)

M’s: Mariners among teams linked to KBO star

Halos: Angels and Kyle Hendricks agree to one-year contract (MLBTR)

Texas: What the Texas Rangers’ offseason worst-case scenario would look like and why it might not be so bad (KGW)

MLB News

The underrated infielder creates a lot of buzz at GM meetings

The Dodgers expect Betts to move back to 2B or shortstop next season

Cards move Willson Contreras to first base; It is unlikely that Contreras will waive the no-trade clause (MLBTR).

Rays Among Teams That Turned to Soto (MLBTR)

Tigers are open to working out a Skubal extension

Scott Kingery’s contract is dead. Long live royalty! (FG)

Cubs are looking for ways to strengthen the rotation for 25

Signing Soto and Alonso is seen as a possibility for Mets

The classic 2025 baseball ballot is rich in familiarity, short in imagination (FG)

Houston Astros birthdays

RHP Russ Springer (56)

RHP Joe Niekro (1944-2006)

RHP Amilcar Chirinos (23)