In Houston, Chandler Rome wrote Astros owner Jim Crane "appears content with the contract philosophy that’s produced a dynasty -- even if it could result in defections." Crane said, “Our goal here is pretty simple: we try to assemble 26 guys. You can’t do it with one big contract." He added, “I’m not saying it’s something we would never do, but we’ve done well by constructing the team the way we have and doing some extensions from time to time when it makes sense.” Extensions for either RF Kyle Tucker or 3B Alex Bregman would "likely require length and dollars Crane’s never given out." Houston is carrying baseball’s "12th-highest competitive balance tax payroll at $214,945,477." Crane said Thursday “we’re not afraid to go over” the $233M CBT threshold. Rome wrote but it is "clear he isn’t looking to splurge on one contract to do so" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/30).
PEEK-A-BOO: In Baltimore, Hayes Gardner wrote Orioles CEO & Chair John Angelos had "twice this year told reporters that he would reveal details of the Orioles’ financial situation," however, when asked Thursday in an interview on WJZ-FM "if and when he’d be following through on his word," Angelos indicated that "he would not be." Angelos: "It’s difficult for me to understand what that fascination is." He also said that he "hasn’t seen reporters asking" the Nationals or the Ravens to “open their books.” Gardner wrote notably, execs for those teams "have not recently told reporters that they would do so." Angelos said that rather than "being judged by its financial situation, the Orioles should be judged 'on our win-loss record' and 'community impact'" (BALTIMORE SUN, 3/30).
