Training began in earnest last week and the Astros have already played a few spring games in Florida. It's still incredibly early, but it's never to early to look at some of the big storylines for the ballclub this spring.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla — Nothing signals the start of a spring training schedule like a split-squad. The Houston Astros will open Grapefruit League play with one on Saturday morning, when one team will host the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches and another will travel to Port St. Lucie to face the New York Mets.

The Astros have more competition for roster spots this spring than in any season in the past decade. That’s not surprising news considering they have played in more postseason games (99) than any othe