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Astros Outright Arias, Towles, Valdez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 13, 2011 at 2:12pm CDT

The Astros announced that they outrighted catcher J.R. Towles and right-handers Alberto Arias and Jose Valdez to Triple-A Oklahoma City after the trio cleared waivers. The move clears space on Houston’s 40-man roster, which now includes 35 players. 

Arias and Valdez can both elect free agency instead of accepting the assignment, while Towles will automatically become a free agent after the World Series. 

Arias would have been arbitration eligible, but he spent the 2011 on the season on the disabled list after undergoing shoulder surgery in March. The 27-year-old has a 3.74 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 74 2/3 career innings and hasn't pitched since 2009. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes recently predicted that the Astros would cut him loose.

Towles, 27, was once a highly-regarded prospect, but he has struggled to produce at the plate in parts of five MLB seasons. He has a .187/.267/.315 line in 484 MLB plate appearances since 2007. Valdez appeared in 12 games for the Astros this year, striking out 15 in 14 innings. He also posted a 5.47 ERA with 12.0 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 24 2/3 minor league innings this year.

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Houston Astros Transactions J.R. Towles

NL East Notes: Nationals, Phillies, Ozzie
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Offseason Outlook: Kansas City Royals
View Comments (14)
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14 Comments

  1. Jeremiah Graves

    14 years ago

    Twins sign Towles?!

    …and every other catcher on the market, just in case?!

    Reply
    • Mark Hildreth

      14 years ago

      Dude these guys got rejected by the ASTROS. It’d be in your best interest to pass.

      Reply
  2. jarrett_Lauderdale

    14 years ago

    I have a feeling Arias will get himself together and come back as strong as he was in 2010 before he got hurt. The other two, trade them for equipment.

    Reply
  3. Jeff 30

    14 years ago

    5 spots open on the 40-man? I see a free agent frenzy coming!

    Reply
    • Brolaf

      14 years ago

      Doubtful, probably will be adding some AA-AAA prospects to the 40 man roster to protect them against Rule V draft(those that would be eligible to be drafted).

      Reply
    • Rabbitov

      14 years ago

      I’m calling it right now Jeff. Carmona and Towles on the Orioles next season.  We trade Wieters for Towles.

      Reply
      • Jeff 30

        14 years ago

        Not nice.

        Reply
      • Jeff 30

        14 years ago

        Not nice.

        Reply
  4. Christopher David

    14 years ago

    So, am I to understand there’s now a “Towles ban?”

    Reply
  5. BWillie

    14 years ago

    I always liked JR, sorry it never happened for him.  Had a good September when he first came up, but little after that. Maybe a fresh start somewhere else could help. 

    Reply
  6. Bryan

    14 years ago

    Angels, take note…  The Astros demoted their .187/.267/.315 Career Hitting Catcher… 

    Reply

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