The Astros are looking to trade veterans Brett Myers, Carlos Lee, and Wandy Rodriguez this offseason. In Myers and Lee’s case they are reportedly willing to cover up to half of their contracts in order to help facilitate a trade. Even with the salary relief it seems doubtful that Carlos Lee will be able to be traded as external factors such as his partial no trade clause and the fact that even with half of Lee’s salary covered, the receiving team would still be responsible for about $9 million which is a lot of money for Carlos Lee. However, at the same 50% discount Myers seems to look more appealing to a potential receiving team.

Myers has been a workhouse for the Astros the last two seasons, and there is no reason to believe that he can’t pitch 200+ innings again this upcoming season. Over Brett’s nine year career he has averaged an ERA of 4.24, and an FIP of 4.36. Given the fact that last season’s ERA and FIP were close to his career totals there is no reason to expect these numbers to deviate that far from his career totals for the 2012 season. Basically, Myers would be a decent 4th starter on most contending teams.

Continue reading this post »

While most Astros fans were not anticipating seeing their teams name in the headlines during this year’s annual Winter Meetings, they will wake up this morning to find that Cardinals vice president of player procurement Jeff Luhnow has been named the new General Manager.

In addition to this Astros fans will have the rule 5 draft to follow this morning. If you missed Timmy’s article earlier this week profiling potential draftees be sure to check it out. In Mctaggart’s Winter Meeting recap he talks briefly about the rule 5 draft and stated that the Astros are expected to be active in the draft. Two of the names he mentioned in the article are Brad Meyers of the Nationals and Jordan Danks of the White Sox which have been mentioned frequently so far in this year’s rule 5 discussions. He also mentions two other potential draftees in Ryan Flaherty and Terry Doyle that I wanted to briefly discuss here before the draft just in case one of them is picked by the Astros.

Continue reading this post »

Contributions from Chris, Jesse and Clarence

Not only are the Winter Meetings a time for interviewing potential general manager candidates, signing free agents and making trades, but there's also a draft. Instead of drafting players out of high school and college, teams get the opportunity to draft from each others farm system. This keeps teams from stock piling talent in their farm system and helps competitive balance.

So who's draft eligible. Anyone not on a teams 40-man roster who was signed at 18 or younger and has at least five years in the minor league system or was signed at age 19 or older and has at least four years in the minor league system. The order is determined by record and is the same order that will be conducted in the Rule 4 draft this summer. The Astros will pick first.

*If the player was signed as a minor league free agent and taken in the rule 5 draft it appears they can elect for free agency. But why would you if you're selected in the rule 5 it's a shot at the big leagues.

There are some rules and restrictions that come with the selection. First is that each selection comes with a $50,000 price tag. Second for the team to keep that player he must remain on the Major League roster the entire season. If the team decides not to keep a player he can offer them back to their original club for a $25,000 reimbursement. As was the case with Lance Pendleton last year.

Some teams will let the drafting team keep that player and pocket the $50,000 or the teams can work out a trade, as was the case with Willy Taveras. In 2003 Taveras was selected by the Astros out of the Cleveland Indians system. At the end of Spring Training the Astros and Indians worked out a deal in which the Indians got Jeroime Robertson for Luke Scott and the rights to Willy Taveras (Why isn't Hunsicker interviewing again?).

There have been some high profile names that have come out of the draft: Johan Santana, Shane Victorino, Josh Hamilton and Roberto Clemente are some of the more notable names. There are also some less notable names two of which have been pitching in the Astros system after being selected. Wesley Wright was taken in the 2007 rule 5 draft and Anuery Rodriguez was selected last year.

Astros Available

Paul Clemens, received in the Michael Bourn trade, was the only pitcher with rule 5 eligibility to be placed on the Astros 40 man roster. The other eligible players are: Pitchers Danny Meszaros, Xavier Cedeno, Sergio Perez, Dayan Diaz and Kyle Greenwalt, outfielder Brandon Barnes, Jon Gaston, Collin DeLome and T.J. Steele and infielder Kody Hinze.

Of those names no one is a sure bet to be taken. The players I could see going are Cedeno, Diaz, Barnes and Hinze. Cedeno could start or be that lefty out of the bullpen. Diaz only made it to low A ball but has some outstanding numbers in relief. Barnes could make for a decent backup outfielder. Hinze is a first baseman with a .781 OPS in AA. My guess would be that at most Cedeno will be tried out for a bullpen spot but he's not the only lefty available in the draft.

The rule 5 draft takes place this Thursday. Hit the jump to find out about some of the players available.

Continue reading this post »

Spring Training is here. With it comes imagery of sun filled blue skies, fresh cut green grass, and a new outlook on baseball. It's true that it may be a rough year for Astro fans, two icons are gone, in are some fresh new faces with their own faults to overcome, and an impending sale, almost assure us that we shouldn't get our hopes up. But as the snow smelts, beginning the process of packing up the winter clothes, and pulling out that old baseball jersey, that seems to of held onto that mustard stain you thought you got out, we can't help but find that small glimmer of hope.

The Astros did not make any sexy moves this offseason. However they did make some moves, and before we get to deep into Spring Training, let's review this past offseason's transactions.

October 6, 2010

A day after granting Gary Majewski, and Casey Daigle free agency, the Astros continued to clean house letting Josh Banks, Yorman Bazardo, and Chris Sampson go. The only real disappointment I felt was Sampson being let go, but not from a statistics standpoint, but a personal standpoint. My first memory of Sampson was when he made a spot start against the Cubs going seven innings without allowing a run, earning the win. That wasn't his actual debut as he had come in for 5.1 innings of relief five days earlier against the Reds, but it's the one that sticks out the most. He signed a minor league deal with and invite to spring training with the Colorado Rockies. I wish him the best.

November 1, 2010

Two veterans were let go, Brian Moehler and Geoff Blum. Moehler has gone unsigned so far this offseason, while the Astros made a run at Blum, but couldn't compete with a two year $2.7MM deal from the Arizona Diamondbacks. While Blum does bring some strong intangibles to the club house, they're not worth $2.7MM and the spot of a young player on a rebuilding team.

Continue reading this post »

During the trade deadline, I kept waiting to hear word that a team was especially interested in acquiring Matt Lindstrom. When Matt Capps was dealt for a top-tier catching prospect, I imagined that there was something worthwhile on the auction block if Ed Wade would just say yes. Lindstrom was young, still under team control, and though tapering off, started 2010 strong. That Lindstrom continued to don an Astros uniform confused me—especially given his strong numbers in July (10.6 K/9, 4.50 K:BB, 1.51 FIP, 3.12 xFIP).

When August went awry for Lindstrom, I supposed that MLB clubs had read something in the tea leaves. I also expected that Wade would just bide his time and hope Lindstrom got off to a strong start in 2011 before shipping him out.

I was wrong on about all of that. Thomas Harding, of MLB.com, first reported that the Astros and Rockies consummated a deal for Matt Lindstrom. There were a few minutes where it was possible to imagine that there was something of worth coming back. Then Carrie Muskat, also of MLB.com, confirmed the return package: Wes Musick, a former Astros draftee, and Jonthan Arstil. That's it. Lindstrom was sent to the Rockies for a 23 year old with strong command in A-ball and a 24 year old with no command. Nothing I read in Jonthan Mayo's write-up of Muskat and Arstill has me feeling any differently than what I can glean from their stats. Essentially, then, the deal involves Ed Wade relieving the payroll of about $3 million.

We have been trying to figure out where the 2011 payroll would stand. Ed Wade made some statements alluding to the fact that the Astros had payroll flexibility early in the hotstove season, but it is hard to reconcile payroll flexibility and this trade (along with Jeff Keppinger trade rumors, etc.).

The questions remains, though, as to why Drayton McLane has set the budget where he has. Is it because 2010's revenue took the Astros uncomfortably close to operating in the red? Or is it because he thinks that creating a leaner payroll will add to his bottom line the sale he is contemplating? Or is it something we're not thinking of? Perhaps the uncertainty of the Astros new TV deal has McLane worried about the future.

As for the trade itself, I find it hard to feel anything but blasé. I would have preferred Wade to hold onto Lindstrom in the hopes that his trade value increased. I would have hoped that Wade could have received more for Lindstrom. But this deal doesn't reek the way the Paulino/Barmes trade did, so maybe the medical reports on Lindstrom are not favorable (or something to that effect). Plus, Lindstrom is a luxury commodity for an Astros team that will struggle to even feign competitiveness in 2011.

Even with all of the rationalizations I can throw at the trade, I can't shake the feeling that Wade didn't get everything he could for Lindstrom—either now or next July. That leads me to believe that Wade had to free up payroll space, and for some reasons the Rockies have been willing swap parts with the Astros this winter. 

So more than anything, I am left curious. Curious as to why the Astros payroll is such a concern, and curious as to why Ed Wade seems to cozy up to a team and then crank out deals with them in such a repetitious fashion.

The Astros took Aneury Rodriguez as their first pick in the Rule 5 Draft.  I included his profile in my first article on Rule 5 draft ideas.  Rodriguez had a decent year as a starting pitcher in AAA for the Rays.  And "decent" looks even better when you consider that he was only 22 years old.  I can see the Astros gambling on the possibility that he competes for a rotation spot.  If he shows well but can't beat out the competition, perhaps he becomes a bullpen option.  He was the prospect traded to the Rays by the Rockies last year.  His velocity has declined since the trade, which may be why he was exposed to the Rule 5 Draft. 

The Astros took 27 year old Yankees RH minor leaguer Lance Pendleton as a second pick.  He pitched well in AA last year, but didn't pitch as well in limited innings when he was moved up to AAA.  I am guessing that he is a longer shot for making the team.  He is a local guy who was drafted out of Rice after pitching for Kingwood HS.  He suffered a ligament injury after his first season in the minors and underwent Tommy John surgery.  After a year off, he has been moving back up through the Yankees' system.  He has both relief and starting experience.  When he was drafted in the 5th round in 2005, he was called a "power arm."  I'm not sure what his post-surgery velocity has been.

The Astros only had one player taken in the AAA draft and none in the major league draft. Jeiler Castillo, a 22 year old RHP, was taken by Oakland in the AAA draft.

We did it, everyone. We got through the first big day of the Winter Meetings. I'm still trying to figure out how to best handle the daily news. Right now, I'm going with a recap post each afternoon with FanShots when appropriate through the nights/mornings. What did we learn Monday?

Fairly Newsworthy

Jeff Keppinger and Matt Lindstrom are available: That's right, two of the Astros arbitration-eligible guys can be had for the right price. This isn't exactly news, since Wade has been on record that he wants to upgrade at second base. Lindstrom was not very good and is due for another raise in salary, so he's likely expendable if the right deal comes along. Again, all this is stuff we probably knew before today's report by Ed Price over at AOL FanHouse.

Astros cutting payroll: The thing that sticks out about that report is Price sources unnamed front office personnel saying the Astros are trying to pare salary down further to get it around 70 million. That's in preparation for the team being sold. Why is that news? well, it flies directly in the face of Wade's very public comments at the time of the sale, that it would not impact baseball operations at all. I'm sure he can spin it all he wants that trading Kepp is a baseball move and has nothing to do with his salary, but the fact is Kepp has value. Unless they get a younger player to man a hole in the lineup or starting rotation, the Astros would be making this move based on money.

After the big annoucement by Drayton, I wondered if this payroll slashing would be a consequence. Clack convinced me pretty effectively that it wouldn't, but now I'm not so sure. I hope the payroll will not be dictated by the sale and the Astros can have a competitive team for the next few years. *PS. 70 million was the payroll at the end of last season, according to Baseball Reference. It'd be the first time since 2005 the Astros had a payroll that low.

Interested in left fielders: Well, that's not news. What is newsworthy is the list of names that have been bandied about. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick tweeted that the Astros might have interest in Ryan Church or Jeremy Hermida while the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweeted that they might look at Matt Diaz. So there you are. Might I point out, Mr. National Media Member, that I already made a case for Ryan Church, waay before you came in and big-timed the link...

Corpus Christ wins award: The Hooks were named the Double-A organization of the year on Monday. Good on them. That place has a first-rate ballpark and a standup front office. Remember when I went there this past summer and didn't get the bobbleheads they were giving away? Well, it took them a few months, but our Nolan Ryan bobbleheads showed up in the mail. Thanks, Hooks front office, for being classy!

Non-newsworthy

Jordan Lyles a candidate for fifth spot in rotation: Yep, not surprising, though it is a little sad. If Lyles breaks camp as the fifth starter, I might have to stay away from my laptop for a few days (to avoid smashing it into pieces). Exciting young pitcher? Check. Future of the rotation? Check. Sure, why not unnecessarily risk arm injury...

Carlos Lee to 1B, Wallace not ready: Yeah, we've already covered all these too. Brett Wallace has a hole in his swing/mechanical issue he needs to work out. Carlos Lee has been asked to prepare to play first base. Before we get all hot and bothered by this news, let's remember what Brad Mills said earlier today, "It's meaningless to project who will play where in December. Let's let them play some games first." Wallace will get a chance to win the first base job in spring training, as will El Bufalo. What's new about that?

Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade had a pretty simple offseason to-do list after the season:

1) Get better at shortstop

2) Find another Brett Myers

3) Do something about left field

And that's pretty much it. Sure, he'd listen on help at second base if he needed to and will probably try and find a lefty reliever or two, but those were his three main priorities. For better or worse, the Clint Barmes trade knocked No. 1 off his list, so the next-most pressing need for the Astros is another starter to help fill out the rotation. Especially after trading Felipe Paulino to the Rockies, Houston needs a little more depth heading into spring training than Nelson Figueroa can provide by himself. So, let's take a look at who's left on the free agent market after the jump...

Continue reading this post »