Astros rumors: Carlos Corporan traded to Rangers

Carlos Corporan didn't have to wait long to find his landing spot. The catcher, who was designated for assignment on Tuesday, has been traded to the Texas Rangers, according to the Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich.

Source: Astros and Rangers have agreed on trade for Carlos Corporan. Player(s) being informed.

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) January 21, 2015

The player coming to Houston appears to be a minor-league pitcher, but the name has not been confirmed (until it WAS by Wilson).

#Rangers are sending a minor-league right-handed pitcher to Astros for C Carlos Corporan. Player still hasn't been informed.

— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) January 21, 2015

Source: #Rangers are sending RHP Akeem Bostick to the Astros for Carlos Corporan.

— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) January 21, 2015

Corporan had been linked to the Rangers for much of the offseason, but it wasn't until the backstop was DFAed that a trade came together.

Once a team designates a player for assignment, it has 10 days to either waive him, trade him or release him outright. There's no word on the return for Corp, but Houston's decision to DFA him decreases their leverage. Expect any return for Corp to be minimal.

Corporan, 30, hit .235/.302/.376 last season in 55 games and 190 plate appearances. After being signed as a minor league free agent away from the Milwaukee system, Corporan played in 198 games for the Astros over four seasons. He's a career .226/.286/.350 hitter with 17 home runs in 659 plate appearances over that span.

Bostick, 19, threw 92 innings for the Rangers' Low-A affiliate Hickoory in the South Atlantic League. The right-hander struck out 64 while walking 28 with a 5.18 ERA in 21 games and 20 starts. Bostick made the Lonestar Ball prospect list at No. 18 last year.

The 6-foot-5, 185-lb. pitcher throws in the low 90s and has a curve that projects as a plus pitch with an average changeup. Bostick was drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft out of West Florence High School in Florence, South Carolina. He signed for $520,600, below his slot amount of $899,400.

Corporan was made expendable on Houston's roster by the acquisition of Hank Conger from the Angels earlier this offseason. Since then, Houston's had a glut of catching depth with presumed starter Jason Castro, Conger and prospect Max Stassi.

The Astros needed to make room on the 40-man roster to sign free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus, a move the team announced on Tuesday.