The Astros have officially signed Chia-Jen Lo, a 22 year old closer out of Taiwan.
**UPDATE** It's official, the Astros inked Hawkins for $3.5 million plus incentives.
Not earth shattering news, but JJO had this insider information from the GM Meetings:
The Chronicle has learned the one-year deal is essentially done for close to the $3.75 million Hawkins earned last season. A press release announcing the deal will be sent out sometime Friday morning or early afternoon.
If Hawkins can repeat his second half performance of:
This will be a great signing, but that would be unrealistic expectations. Hopefully whatever adjustment the Astros scouts saw Hawkins make in July will keep him as effective this year as he was for two months last year. If so, the Astros have a clear set-up guy for Valverde. Now we just have to hope that Geary and Sampson can be as effective as they were pre injury.