MLB Trade Rumors: How Will Sale Impact Houston Astros Spending Spree?

The Houston Astros are most likely just a day away from having their sale approved to new owner Jim Crane.

The best part about it for ‘Stros fans?

He is reportedly getting a $70 million discount and he’s going to put it right back into the team.

The MLB owners are meeting tomorrow morning to vote on the sale of the team, which was initially valued at $680 million, but he will only pay $610 million of that in exchange for moving the team over to the American League in 2013.

The move makes perfect sense for all parties.

Right now, the NL has 16 teams and the AL has 14. The NL Central, the division the Astros are in right now, has six teams, one more than every other division in the league and two more than the AL west.

By moving the Astros to the AL West, it evens up the entire league and puts all divisions on equal competitive footing.

The Astros will need to bolster their lineup and add more power to face the tougher American League pitchers and account for the designated hitter position in their new league.

It’s a good thing they have a free $70 million coming their way to help them with that.

Jon Heyman tweeted that there is some noise being made right now about Crane using that discount on free agents.

Who are the Astros in need of?

Ryan Doumit, a free agent who was with the Pirates last season, could be a solid option.

He is apparently just seeking a one-year deal, however, and that would not be a good signing for a team that could use a DH after this season.

They could add some relief pitching with someone like Chad Qualls or LaTroy Hawkins.

Whatever they decide to do, it needs to be forward thinking for their move to the AL.