Astros Designate Che-Hsuan Lin For Assignment
The Astros announced that they designated outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin for assignment (Twitter link). The move creates roster space for recently-acquired right-hander John Ely.
The Astros claimed Lin off of waivers from the Red Sox in October. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut this past season, appearing in nine games as a center fielder and right fielder.
Astros Acquire John Ely
The Astros announced that they acquired right-hander John Ely from the Dodgers for minor league left-hander Rob Rasmussen. The Dodgers now have 39 players on the 40 man roster.
Ely appeared in two games for the Dodgers in 2012, but spent most of the season at Triple-A. The 26-year-old led the Triple-A Pacific Coast League with a 3.20 ERA in 168 2/3 innings. Ely, a former third round selection of the White Sox, started 18 games for the Dodgers in 2010, posting a 5.49 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 100 innings. He has just shy of one year of MLB service (167 days).
Rasmussen, 23, was a second round draft pick of the Marlins in 2010. The Astros acquired him from Miami along with Matt Dominguez for Carlos Lee this past summer. In 142 innings at Class A and Double A, Rasmussen posted a 4.25 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9.
Blue Jays Claim Mickey Storey
The Blue Jays announced that they claimed right-hander Mickey Storey off of waivers from the Astros. Toronto's 40-man roster is full after claiming Storey, who had been designated for assignment by Houston two days ago.
It's been a busy month for Storey. The Yankees claimed him off of waivers from Houston on November 20th, only to designate him for assignment in early December. Houston then claimed Storey back off of waivers, before removing him from the 40-man roster on Monday.
Storey made 26 relief appearances for the Astros this past season. The 26-year-old posted a 3.86 ERA with 10.1 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 30 1/3 innings at the MLB level. He also spent considerable time at Triple-A in 2012, posting a 3.05 ERA with 10.0 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 65 innings.
Astros Designate Storey For Assignment
The Astros announced that they designated right-hander Mickey Storey for assignment. The move creates 40-man roster space for Carlos Pena, who officially signed with Houston today.
The Yankees claimed Storey off of waivers from Houston on November 20th, only to designate him for assignment in early December. Houston then claimed Storey back off of waivers, but he's now losing his 40-man roster spot again.
Storey made 26 relief appearances for the Astros this past season. The 26-year-old posted a 3.86 ERA with 10.1 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 30 1/3 innings at the MLB level. He also spent considerable time at Triple-A in 2012, posting a 3.05 ERA with 10.0 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 65 innings.
Latest On Lance Berkman, Astros
The Astros agreed to sign Carlos Pena today, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the mix for free agent first baseman Lance Berkman. That said, Berkman might not be playing for any MLB team in 2013.
Berkman told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he’s still undecided about whether he’ll play in 2013 (Twitter links). He’s intrigued about the possibility of spending more time with his family and helping coach the Rice baseball team. The Astros are open to bringing Berkman back and other clubs are interested, Rosenthal reports.
Berkman recently met with Astros owner Jim Crane, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (Twitter links). At this point the switch hitter seems to be a "backburner issue" for the Astros, according to Heyman.
Heyman & Knobler On Oswalt, Norris, Porcello
The latest from Jon Heyman and Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (links go to Twitter)…
- There’s no word from Roy Oswalt on whether he’ll pitch in 2013, Heyman reports.
- The Astros would have to be overwhelmed to trade Jed Lowrie, according to Heyman. However, the Astros have talked to teams such as the Cardinals and Rangers about possible deals involving Bud Norris. Norris, 27, goes to arbitration for the first time this offseason following a 2012 campaign in which he posted a 4.65 ERA with 8.8 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 168 1/3 innings. Even after a mixed platform season, Norris will do reasonably well in arbitration thanks to his career total of 563 2/3 innings. MLBTR projects a salary of $2.9MM.
- The Tigers had almost a dozen calls about Rick Porcello within a few hours of their agreement with right-hander Anibal Sanchez, Knobler reports. The Tigers are expected to trade Porcello, who’s second time arbitration eligible with a projected salary of $4.7MM. The Cubs called, but there's no match, Knobler adds.
- The Twins aren't done adding pitching, Heyman reports.
Astros To Sign Carlos Pena
The Astros have agreed to sign Carlos Pena to a one-year contract worth $2.9MM, reports Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. The Scott Boras client can earn another $1.4MM in incentives.
Pena, 34, is expected to split first base and DH duties with Brett Wallace according to Knobler. He hit just .197/.330/.354 in 600 plate appearances for the Rays this past season, though he did hit 19 homers as well. Pena has hit .206/.337/.408 over the last three seasons, so the Astros are counting on him to continue drawing walks and hitting the ball over the fence.
MLBTR's Tim Dierkes did not rank Pena among this winter's Top 50 Free Agents. The signing likely eliminates the possibility of a Lance Berkman reunion in Houston.
Astros Links: Berkman, DH, Norris
Here's the latest from the American League's newest team, the Houston Astros…
- Lance Berkman remains atop the team's DH wishlist according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). There are still issues to be resolved before a reunion takes place.
- Crasnick notes that if the Astros can't bring Berkman back, they're likely to seek a late-20s player who's been blocked and needs an opportunity to serve as DH (Twitter links). They don't have interest in players like Luke Scott, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, and Travis Hafner.
- A few teams are considering right-hander Bud Norris as a back-end rotation option, reports Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). The 27-year-old pitched to a 4.65 ERA in 168 1/3 innings last season and projects to earn $2.9MM through arbitration next winter.
Quick Hits: Soriano, Astros, Dickey, Grilli
On the most recent edition of the Rosters & Rumblings podcast, MLBTR’s Ben Nicholson-Smith and Jason Martinez of MLB Depth Charts discussed the Rays–Royals trade, Zack Greinke’s deal with the Dodgers and the most recent rumors from around MLB. Here's more from around baseball to cap off a busy Tuesday evening..
- The Cubs previously shopped Alfonso Soriano to the Astros as a possible DH, but Houston doesn't have enough money even with Chicago picking up the bulk of what is owed to him, tweets Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. Earlier today we learned that the Phillies have talked with the Cubs about a deal for Soriano.
- Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner wonders if the Mariners should now make a play for the Mets' R.A. Dickey. Cameron argues that it's something to think about if Justin Upton stays put in Arizona, Josh Hamilton returns to Texas, and if Nick Swisher passes on Seattle's offer.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter) notes that Jason Grilli's new contract with the Pirates doesn't include performance incentives for games finished. A bonus for games finished might have given an indication of his role in the bullpen going forward.
- Kevin Youkilis now joins Johnny Damon, Mark Bellhorn, Doug Mientkiewicz, Derek Lowe, Mike Myers, and Alan Embree as members of the 2004 Red Sox to later play for the Yankees, tweets Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
- Josh Johnson told Barry Davis of Sportsnet (video link) that he first found out about being traded to the Blue Jays via MLBTradeRumors' mobile app. If you haven't already, you can pick up the iPhone MLBTR app right here.
- The Red Sox appointed Gary DiSarcina as manager of Triple-A Pawtucket, according to Maureen Mullen of CSNNE.com (via Twitter). DiSarcina just recently agreed to serve as a special assistant to Angels GM Jerry Dipoto.
Astros Claim Mickey Storey
The Astros claimed righty Mickey Storey off waivers from the Yankees, according to the team. The Yanks had claimed Storey off waivers from Houston on November 20th, but designated him for assignment five days ago. Now, Storey is back with Houston.
Storey, 26, posted a 3.86 ERA, 10.1 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 0.59 HR/9, and 37.5% groundball rate in 30 1/3 relief innings this year, his rookie season. He was successful at Triple-A as well.