Houston Astros Rumors

Odds & Ends: Hardy, Tejada, Cardinals, Mariners

Here's a few links to close out the night... Tony Massarotti of The Boston Globe says that the Red Sox "had been engaging with the Brewers in on-and-off discussions involving (J.J.) Hardy since the trading deadline." Massarotti's source says the Brewers wanted either Clay Buchholz or Daniel Bard, but Boston was only willing to part with Michael Bowden. MLB'com's Brian McTaggart tweets that Astros' GM Ed Wade said “At this point, we’re prepared to commit to Tommy Manzella playing shortstop," but noted that Miguel Tejada could return as a third baseman. Matthew Leach of MLB.com takes a look at some...   Continue Reading

---

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Dodgers, Red Sox, Iwamura, Matsui

On this date 33 years ago, Bill Campbell became one of the first players to sign a contract with a new team under baseball's new free agency system. After saving 20 games with the Twins in '76, Campbell signed a four-year, $1MM deal with the Red Sox. In his first season in Boston, he would save 31 games and make his only All-Star appearance. As we enter the 34th Hot Stove season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere... MLB Notebook suggests Ben Sheets or Erik Bedard for the Dodgers over Vicente Padilla. Around the...   Continue Reading

---

Odds & Ends: Mariners, Riggleman, Crisp, 'Stros

A few leftovers as the Phillies and Yankees do battle in Game 6... According to ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure, recently-defected Cuban first baseman Jose Julio Ruiz has impressed scouts in workouts the past two weeks. The Red Sox and Tigers are known to have some level of interest. Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner thinks the M's should "kick the tires" on several undervalued starters this offseason. He lists Ben Sheets, Rich Harden, Carl Pavano and Randy Johnson, among others, as possible targets. MASN's Byron Kerr spoke Wednesday with Jim Riggleman, who's hoping to be named the Nationals' permanent manager shortly after...   Continue Reading

---

Odds & Ends: Hawkins, Uribe, Hill, Hazen

Here's a few links to end the night... MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tweets that Astros GM Ed Wade said the team "is talking with LaTroy Hawkins, who wanted to see who the manager was going to be first." Hawkins will be a free agent this offseason for the fourth time in as many years. Juan Uribe has informed the Giants that he plans to test the market, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News. MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko reports that the Orioles outrighted three players off their 40-man roster, including southpaw Rich Hill. Meanwhile, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince says the Indians outrighted...   Continue Reading

---

Astros Re-Sign Geoff Blum

The Astros re-signed infielder Geoff Blum to a one-year deal, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. The deal is worth $1.5MM in 2010 and has a $1.65MM mutual option for '11. Blum, 37 in April, hit .247/.314/.367 this year in 427 plate appearances while playing mostly third base. Hopefully the Astros envision more of a utility role for Blum next year, though he does appear solid defensively at the hot corner. In other team news, McTaggart says the Astros hired Brad Arnsberg, formerly of the Blue Jays, as their new pitching coach.   Continue Reading

---

Astros Decline Option On Doug Brocail

The Astros declined their $2.85MM option on reliever Doug Brocail, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Instead they'll pay the $250K buyout on the righty, who turns 43 in May. Brocail pitched only 17.6 big league innings this year due to shoulder and hamstring injuries. Astros GM Ed Wade told McTaggart he respects Brocail but won't try to re-sign him. Instead, the Astros have interest in keeping Brocail on for a player development role. McTaggart learned a month ago that retirement is a consideration for Brocail, but he'll play again if his shoulder is OK.   Continue Reading

---

Odds & Ends: Kikuchi, Astros, Smoltz, Hermida

Some links to read for Thursday morning... The AP reports (via the Miami Herald) that the Seibu Lions won the rights to negotiate with top Japanese amateur Yusei Kikuchi. Another top young pitcher, Stephen Strasburg, hit 100 mph repeatedly in his third AFL start, according to ESPN.com's Jason Grey. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says fans and media members need to hold Astros owner Drayton McLane accountable, and says it wasn't GM Ed Wade's fault that managerial candidate Manny Acta signed with the Indians. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears that the Cardinals still have interest in...   Continue Reading

---

Aroldis Chapman Review

With all the information swirling around about free agent lefty Aroldis Chapman, I thought a summary would be helpful. Chapman has been declared a free agent and can sign at any time, though a deal is unlikely before the conclusion of the World Series. One GM told Yahoo's Tim Brown in July, "I'm sure all 30 teams will be interested to some degree." Nonetheless, let's look at specific suitors. Red Sox: They've been a top suitor from the start. Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus says Chapman was scheduled to throw a bullpen at Fenway today but it was cancelled due...   Continue Reading

---

Odds & Ends: Chapman, Padres, Orioles, Coste

Here's a few links to help you through another baseball-less night... Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus tweets that Aroldis Chapman will throw a bullpen at Fenway tomorrow. ESPN's Keith Law says that firing VP of scouting and player development Grady Fuson was a good move by new GM Jed Hoyer and the Padres. He notes that San Diego's drafts have been among the worst in the game over the last few years, although they did change course last year. Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun says the Orioles need a power hitter at one of the corner infield spots, and...   Continue Reading

---

Astros Hire Brad Mills As Manager

The Astros hired former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills as their new manager, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. The Astros fired Cecil Cooper with 13 games remaining in the season, replacing him with Dave Clark. Mills inherits a club with many question marks; the Astros finished in fifth place in the NL Central last year with a 74-88 record.   Continue Reading

---

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

Lijit Search

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

MLBTR Mailing List

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats

Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST