The latest outright assignments from around MLB…
New ownership, a new front office, a new manager, even a new league. In many ways the 51-year-old Astros are the closest thing MLB has to an expansion franchise.
Guaranteed Contracts
Arbitration Eligible Players
Contract Options
Free Agents
The Astros have more needs than can be addressed in a single offseason. They don’t score runs, they have trouble preventing runs, and the roster lacks players who project as MLB regulars on a contending team.
While the upcoming offseason offers general manager Jeff Luhnow the chance to make meaningful additions, it seems unlikely that Houston will court top free agents. If last offseason is any indication, the Astros will be among the sport's most restrained teams. A year ago, in his first offseason as Houston's GM, Luhnow signed two players to guaranteed contracts for a total of $1.45MM. It’d be a surprise if this winter unfolds much differently.
The Astros figure to pursue short-term contracts, minor league free agents and non-tendered players while exploring trades. They spent approximately $61MM on payroll in 2012, their first season under Luhnow and owner Jim Crane. Remarkably, they have less than $10MM committed to next year’s team before accounting for arbitration eligible players. Most of that sum goes to Wandy Rodriguez, who will be starting for the Pirates next year. As a result, the Astros should have financial flexibility even if they lower payroll for the 2013 campaign. This is a team with no bad contracts (and no good, team friendly ones, for that matter).
Adding veterans on one-year deals could make sense for the Astros, as long as the established players aren't displacing those in need of development at the MLB level. There’s value in winning as often as possible, even for non-contenders. It was once possible for teams to flip veterans on one-year deals for legitimate prospects, but those trades are becoming less common. Signing players with the intention of trading them for prospects midseason could also dissuade free agents from signing in Houston.
The Astros rank last in MLB in runs scored, which means offense is a clear need this winter. They have some promising middle infielders in Jose Altuve (pictured) and Jed Lowrie. But among the 30 MLB teams Houston ranks in the bottom ten in OPS at catcher, first base, left field, center field and right field. Then there’s the designated hitter role, which the Astros will have to fill for the first time in the 51-season history of the franchise. Jason Castro is in place behind the plate and Justin Maxwell has probably earned another shot in the outfield. Even so, there are plenty of positions at which Houston could potentially upgrade.
The Astros could also use starting pitching depth following a season in which the team's ERA exceeded 4.50. Ed Wade, Luhnow's predecessor, selected Lucas Harrell off of waivers toward the end of his tenure in Houston and this is precisely the sort of move the current Astros front office will look to replicate. Luhnow claimed three players off of waivers last winter, showing interest in allocating roster spots and playing time to players who have fallen out of favor elsewhere. This is advisable for the Astros, who should continue to prioritize upside over certainty. Only a fraction of pitchers who hit the waiver wire become valuable MLB starters, yet it’s still a worthwhile pursuit. Harrell, who posted a 3.88 ERA in 31 starts this year, joins Bud Norris and Jordan Lyles in Houston’s projected rotation. For now we'll assume Roger Clemens' role with the Astros will be limited to coaching.
If teams closer to contention pursue Norris aggressively it would make sense for Houston to listen. The Astros could aim to copy last year’s Gio Gonzalez trade and turn one established pitcher into multiple players close to the MLB level (the asking price for Norris would presumably be lower). Norris is under team control through 2015, and if the Astros don't expect to contend by then, they should consider trades that might bring long-term pieces to Houston.
The Astros don't have any departing free agents this year after parting ways with players like Carlos Lee, Brett Myers and Francisco Cordero midseason. They have one contract option, a $4MM mutual option for Chris Snyder. The catcher hit just .176/.295/.308 in 258 plate appearances this year, so expect the Astros to decline their side of the option and seek a more affordable backup.
The Astros have a relatively manageable arbitration class led by Norris, the first time eligible starter, and Lowrie, the second time eligible shortstop. Norris should do well after completing lots of innings early in his career and Lowrie's due for a raise after hitting 16 home runs. This isn't a particularly intimidating class from a team standpoint, however.
The Astros could explore an extension for Altuve this winter. The pre-arbitration eligible second baseman hit .274/.331/.351 in the second half after playing at an All-Star level for the first three months of the season, so Luhnow must determine what to expect from the 22-year-old going forward. It'll never be more affordable to lock Altuve up, but the team could easily wait another season before making a substantial commitment. They don't have as much time to decide on Lowrie, who's on track for free agency following the 2014 season. If the Astros aren't interested in extending their shortstop, this winter would be a good time to explore trades.
The Astros may have already made their most significant offseason addition, hiring Bo Porter as the team's new manager. Now that Porter's been hired, Luhnow and other Astros officials can focus on the team's roster instead of prolonging the managerial search unnecessarily.
The Astros will select first overall again next summer, when they'll have the opportunity to add another impact amateur player. Until then, Houston can take steps toward becoming a winning team. Just don't expect this organization to hasten the process in search of a quick fix.
Photo courtesy of US Presswire.
Pirates right-hander Jeff Karstens is a non-tender candidate following an injury plagued season, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Karstens has missed time with shoulder, groin and hip injuries this year, though he has pitched well when healthy.
“Jeff gives you everything he has every time he gets the ball,” GM Neal Huntington said.
Huntington said “it’s a bit early” to reveal what role Karstens will have on the 2013 team. The GM did not seem enthused while discussing Karstens’ chances of winning a rotation spot next year, Biertempfel writes. This could indicate that the 30-year-old will be non-tendered this December when the Pirates must decide whether to offer contracts to eligible players.
Karstens earned $3.1MM in 2012 and would obtain a modest raise if Pittsburgh tenders him a contract this coming offseason. When healthy, Karstens posted a 3.97 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9 in 90 2/3 innings, mostly as a starter.
Weeks before his first career appearance on the free agent market, Shane Victorino has left his former agency, Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal reports (on Twitter). Seth and Sam Levinson of ACES had represented Victorino, who is now looking for an agent, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter).
Victorino, 31, will hit free agency after the World Series. He has a .253/.320/.377 batting line with 27 doubles and 11 home runs in 654 plate appearances for the Phillies and Dodgers this year. It doesn't appear that the Dodgers have room for him in their 2013 outfield, assuming Carl Crawford is healthy next spring.
Check out MLBTR's Agency Database for information on player representatives from around the game. MLB is investigating ACES, the agency which represents Melky Cabrera, according to USA Today.
The Tigers have a magic number of one tonight, which means a win over the Royals or a White Sox loss would be enough to send Detroit to the postseason for the second consecutive year. Here are today's links as we await a full slate of games Monday night…
Sandy Alomar Jr. and Terry Francona, the apparent frontrunners for the Indians' managerial opening, are expected to interview for the position late this week, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (on Twitter). The Indians' regular season schedule will conclude Wednesday at which point Alomar, the team's interim manager, and Francona, an analyst for ESPN, can discuss the opportunity with Cleveland's front office executives.
It was reported over the weekend that Francona will interview for the position Wednesday or Thursday. The former Red Sox manager worked with GM Chris Antonetti and president Mark Shapiro as a special assistant for the Indians in 2001. Buster Olney of ESPN.com explained over the weekend that he doesn't expect Francona to end up managing the Indians. As a two-time World Series winner, Francona might command more than the Indians are prepared to pay.
The Indians dismissed manager Manny Acta late last week, replacing him with Alomar on an interim basis. Francona and Alomar are the only two candidates that the team is "publicly acknowledging at this point," Antonetti told Jim Bowden last week.
Playoff races rightfully get most of the attention this time of year, but there’s intrigue at the bottom of the standings, too. Seven teams have clinched protected first round picks in the 2013 amateur draft with three days remaining in the regular season. The Astros, Cubs, Rockies, Twins, Marlins, Indians and Red Sox will have top ten selections in next year’s draft even if they win the remainder of their games.
These teams can sign elite free agents this offseason (players who turned down qualifying offers from their former clubs) and retain their first round selections. Instead, these teams would surrender second round selections.
As MLBTR detailed last week, the nine teams with the worst records in baseball will have protected first round selections in 2013. The Pirates will also have a protected first round pick, since they did not sign their top 2012 selection, Mark Appel.
The Blue Jays and Royals are currently positioned to obtain the remaining two protected 2013 picks. The Mariners and Mets could pass the Blue Jays or Royals depending on the results of the season's final series.
The Rockies haven’t decided on the future role of manager Jim Tracy, but they’re working toward a determination, owner Dick Monfort told Troy Renck of the Denver Post yesterday. Director of Major League operations Bill Geivett met with Tracy to discuss the organization’s next steps.
The Rockies gave Tracy an “indefinite” extension last February, back when Dan O’Dowd was the clear leader of the baseball operations department. Tracy’s under contract for $1.4MM in 2013, but his status has “become increasingly uncertain” over the course of a season that’s seen the Rockies lose a franchise record 97 games.
Geivett, who has been working closely with the team since taking on a more prominent role in August, has the power to dismiss or retain Tracy. He told Renck no decisions have been made just yet. “We haven't discussed anything yet. When we get through, we are going to sit down after the season and talk about everything," he said. Widespread changes to the coaching staff are expected, Renck writes.
Jonah Keri of Grantland.com recently interviewed Geivett about the state of the Rockies and the challenges the franchise faces.
Soon after the Indians dismissed Manny Acta yesterday afternoon, it was reported that former MLB player Sandy Alomar Jr. is favored to obtain the permanent managerial position in Cleveland. Terry Francona, another candidate for the job, has already had some contact with the Indians. Here are today's managerial links…
Angels owner Arte Moreno told Roger Lodge of KLAA that he realizes fans want Torii Hunter to re-sign when he hits free agency this coming offseason. "If we don't figure out a way to re-sign him, we're going to get hung, aren't we?" Moreno said. Here’s the latest on Hunter, who has repeatedly stated his preference for staying in Anaheim…
MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com
Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information
scroll to top
