Astros Acquire Randy Wolf

TUESDAY: The Astros acquired Wolf for minor league pitcher Chad Reineke, according to Tom Krasovic.  Baseball America wondered if Reineke could eventually become another Chad Qualls, a guy who blossoms with a move to the bullpen.

What are the Astros thinking here?  This team is still playing to win, even with their backs against the wall.  Perhaps they hope to convince Wolf to stick around in ’09.  Might be hard though – he just bought Slash’s house in L.A.

MONDAY: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Astros are "engaged in serious discussions to acquire veteran left-hander Randy Wolf of the San Diego Padres."  Olney notes that the Astros are not included in Wolf’s no-trade clause.

It seems that Ed Wade’s Astros are playing for 2008, even at ten games out of the wild card.  Wolf will be a free agent after the season.  He has a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts this year, with a healthy 7.9 K/9.  The 31 year-old southpaw has struggled away from PETCO.