Houston Astros Offseason Tracker: Hottest Free Agency News, Trade Rumors
While 2014 wasn't a banner year for Houston, the Astros showed significant improvement on the field, winning 70 games and not finishing in last place for the first time since 2010.
Top prospects Jon Singleton and George Springer showed flashes of what they're capable of doing, while Jose Altuve became the first player in franchise history to win a batting crown, leading all of baseball with a .341 batting average.
Adding to that foundation will be a top priority for general manager Jeff Luhnow as the offseason kicks into high gear, and it wouldn't be surprising at all to find the Astros involved in far more rumors and speculation than they have been in the past.
Keep it here for the most up-to-the-minute rumblings about the Astros, along with analysis and everything else that comes with it. While the post date will always show as October 31, simply click to the next slide to see the latest as the club looks to re-tool its roster for 2015 and beyond.
Houston's Free Agents and Done Deals
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All the juicy rumors and analysis follow, but consider this your one-stop shop for all the comings and goings in Houston this winter, including the status of the team's free agents.
Done Deals
Nov. 5: Traded C Carlos Perez and RHP Nick Tropeano to Los Angeles (AL) for C Hank Conger
Dec. 10: Signed RHP Luke Gregerson to a three-year, $18.5 million deal (Analysis)
Dec. 10: Signed RHP Pat Neshek to a two-year, $12.5 million deal (Analysis)
Dec. 15: Signed SS/IF Jed Lowrie to a three-year, $23 million deal with a $5 million team option (Analysis)
Astros Free Agents
RHP Anthony Bass
RHP Jesse Crain
1B/OF Marc Krauss (Dec. 8: Claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels)
Rule 5 Draft
Dec. 11: Selected RHP Jason Garcia from the Boston Red Sox
Dec. 15: Signed SS/IF Jed Lowrie
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Age: 30
2014 Stats (OAK): 136 G, .249/.321/.355, 38 XBH (6 HR), 50 RBI
Contract Status: Three years, $23 million ($5 million team option for 2018)
Houston felt that it needed to address the left side of the infield and turned to a familiar face to shore things up—Jed Lowrie.
Lowrie spent the 2012 season with Houston, hitting .244 with a career-high 16 home runs, 42 RBI and a .769 OPS over 97 games. He thrived with the A's in 2013, hitting .290 with 15 HR, 75 RBI and a .791 OPS, but stumbled badly last year.
Lowrie's versatility is what makes this an interesting addition. While he can hold down shortstop until top prospect Carlos Correa is ready to contribute, perhaps as early as next season. Evan Drellich of The Houston Chronicle confirms that the plan is for Lowrie to be the team's primary shortstop.
But at some point, Correa is going to take over, and Lowrie is versatile enough to handle third base when that happens.
Dec. 10: Signed RHP Luke Gregerson
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Age: 30
2014 Stats (OAK): 72 G, 5-5, 2.12 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 72.1 IP, 58 H, 1.9 BB/9, 7.3 K/9
Contract Status: Three years, $18.5 million
Upgrading the bullpen was one of the Astros stated goals heading into the winter and they've done just that with the addition of veteran reliever Luke Gregerson.
While he has some experience closing, Gregerson is best utilized in a setup role. He's tougher against right-handed batters than he is lefties, but neither have had much success against him, as he's held the opposition to a .214/.277/.322 slash line over 435 career games.
Over a six-year career, the bulk of which he spent in San Diego, he owns a 2.75 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He's never failed to appear in at least 60 games or finished a season with an ERA above 3.25.
While the deal makes him the third-highest paid reliever thus far this winter, he's an excellent addition to a bullpen that desperately needed help.
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Dec. 10" Signed RHP Pat Neshek
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Age: 34
2014 Stats (STL): 71 G, 7-2, 1.87 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 67.1 IP, 44 H, 1.2 BB/9, 9.1 K/9
Contract Status: Two years, $12.5 million
Houston continues to re-shape its bullpen with the addition of another veteran reliever, Pat Neshek.
While he doesn't have as long a track record of success as Luke Gregerson, Neshek had the better season in 2014, making his first All-Star appearance while dominating batters from both sides of the plate for the Cardinals—right-handed batters hit .176 against him, left-handed hitters .196.
Among relievers that made at least 60 appearances in 2014, Neshek ranked eighth in opponents' OPS (.480). Only one of the pitchers ahead of him—Andrew Miller (.456, fourth)—was available this offseason, and the Astros finished second to the Yankees in the race for his services.
Over 297 career appearances spanning parts of eight years, Neshek has a 2.78 ERA
Sergio Romo: Free Agent Target
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Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 9:00 a.m. ET
Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the Astros have spoken with free agent reliever Sergio Romo as the club looks to rebuild its bullpen.
Romo, 31, is coming off a rough season in San Francisco that saw him pitch to a 3.72 ERA and 0.95 WHIP while losing his job as the team's closer midway through the year. What role the Astros envision him potentially filling in unknown.
Still, the two-time World Series champion and 2013 All-Star has a track record of success, pitching to a 2.51 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over parts of seven seasons.
Astros Have Made Dexter Fowler Available in Trade Talks
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Update: Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 10:37 p.m. ET
Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi tweets that the Astros and Blue Jays are discussing a trade that would send Fowler to Toronto. It's unclear what the Astros are asking Toronto for—or what the Blue Jays are offering—in exchange.
--End of Update--
Update: Sunday, Nov. 30 at 11:15 a.m. ET
Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle brings up an easily overlooked but perhaps incredibly important reason as to why the Astros shouldn't trade Dexter Fowler this winter, despite having less-expensive center field options (Robbie Grossman, Jake Marisnick and Alex Presley).
He's very close with phenom George Springer.
Springer spoke with Drellich about Fowler at the end of the season:
"He's been everything, from a brotherly figure to a teammate. If it weren't for him, I would be lost. He means the world to me. … I think we've established a brother-brother type of relationship. It's going to be sad to not see him until spring training, but it'll be all right.
"
Considering how vitally important Springer's development is to the team's future, is bringing back whatever return the Astros could get for the veteran outfielder, who can become a free agent after the season, more valuable than his potential impact on Springer?
I'd argue that it's not. Fowler would bring back a decent package of talent, but not one that's going to drastically change the team's fortunes overnight. Ensuring that Springer remains comfortable and continues his development can.
--End of Update--
Sunday, Nov. 23 at 10:40 a.m. ET
The Astros have made center fielder Dexter Fowler available in a deal, sources tell The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, who notes that Houston is looking to bolster its bullpen, among other things.
Fowler, 28, hit .276 with eight home runs, 35 RBI and 11 stolen bases to go along with a .375 on-base percentage and .774 OPS, though the switch-hitter was far more effective from the right side of the plate than he was the left.
Given his relative lack of power, however, Fowler may not have the kind of appeal that other bats on the market do, limiting Houston's ability to bring back a suitable return.
Astros Have Interest in Jason Hammel
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Monday, Nov. 10 at 7:56 p.m. ET
The Astros are one of about a dozen teams that has checked in with the representatives for veteran starter Jason Hammel, sources tell the Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich.
Hammel, 32, went 10-11 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 30 appearances (29 starts) for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics in 2014. Acquired as part of the Jeff Samardzija trade, Hammel was far less effective for the A's (4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) than he was for the Cubs (2.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP).
A nine-year veteran, Hammel has spent parts of six seasons in the American League, pitching to a 4.90 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with the A's, Orioles and Rays.
Has Jason Castro Become Expendable?
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Monday, Nov. 10 at 12:50 p.m. ET
With Houston's recent acquisition of Hank Conger from the Angels, the feeling among baseball people is that the Astros will listen to offers on 27-year-old Jason Castro, writes Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe.
It was only two years ago that Castro was an All-Star and looked like another building block for the team moving forward, but he slumped badly in 2014, hitting only .222 with a .651 OPS. That said, Cafardo opines that Castro, who added 14 home runs and 51 RBI, could be a fit in Boston, who is believed to be looking for a left-handed hitting catcher.
Houston Has a Plan and Money to Spend
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General manager Jeff Luhnow is looking to add to his team's foundation this winter, with an eye on upgrading both corner infield positions, the bullpen and, if possible, adding an outfielder with pop in his bat.
According to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, the team has identified a number of targets, both free agents and potential trade candidates, and is ready to increase its payroll by at least $20 million to acquire some of them.
“I think we will sign a free agents (sic), and I think we’ll make a trade or two,” Luhnow told McTaggart. “That’s status quo for us. I don’t have anything necessarily in the works or specifically in mind right now. You definitely think of ways you improve your team every conversation you have.”
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