Astros Rumors

Odds & Ends: Mariners, Cora, Lee, Chacon

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 16, 2010 at 8:44pm CDT

Links for Monday, with just a couple hours remaining for teams to sign their 2010 draft picks…

Bobby Valentine told Jack Curry of the YES Network that he doesn't think the Mariners are "a fit" for him (Twitter link). Seattle has a managerial opening and some have suggested that Valentine could be a target for the Mariners.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter told Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times that he would be shocked if former Mariners skipper Don Wakamatsu had trouble finding a job.
The Mariners signed former big leaguer Tug Hulett and assigned him to Triple A, according to the transactions page for the Pacific Coast League. Hulett, now 27, appeared in 15 games for the Royals last year.
The Rangers are considering free agent Alex Cora, though they have not offered the infielder a deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
The Brockton Rox of the independent Can-Am League signed former Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee, according to the AP (via CBSSports.com). Lee, who last faced a major league hitter in 1982, is now 63 years old!
The Astros announced that an arbitration panel decided that the team was within its rights to terminate Shawn Chacon’s contract without pay after the pitcher's physical confrontation with GM Ed Wade in 2008.

Blum, Counsell Clear Waivers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 16, 2010 at 4:39pm CDT

Infielders Geoff Blum and Craig Counsell have cleared waivers, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The Astros and Brewers can now trade their respective veterans to any team. The Braves and Cardinals both lost third basemen, so Blum and Counsell could draw interest. Blum ($1.5MM, mutual option for 2011) and Counsell ($2.1MM) both make modest salaries, play second third and short and can hit the open market after the season.

Here's MLBTR's complete list of players to clear waivers.

Astros Release Brad Thompson

By Mike Axisa | August 6, 2010 at 8:41pm CDT

The Astros have released Brad Thompson according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America and this week's edition of minor league transactions.

Houston signed Thompson back in June after he chose to become a free agent when the Royals designated him for assignment. The 28-year-old righthander appeared in 15 games for the Astros' Triple-A affiliate, posting an 8.87 ERA with a 1.93 WHIP in 23.1 innings. He struck out 12 and walked four.

Astros Sign Delino DeShields Jr.

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 5, 2010 at 5:43pm CDT

THURSDAY, 5:43PM: The deal was officially announced today. DeShields' bonus is worth $2.15MM, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (Twitter link). As Callis notes, this bonus is $107K over the recommended slot for the eighth overall pick.

TUESDAY, 6:51PM: The Astros have reached an agreement with eighth overall pick Delino DeShields Jr., according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. DeShields' father, longtime big leaguer Delino DeShields, told McTaggart yesterday that his son would sign. The younger DeShields turns 18 on August 16th, the date by which teams must sign their draft picks.

This year's MLB draft guide noted that DeShields was "one of the best high school running backs in Georgia" and had committed to LSU.

It's not clear how much the Astros will commit to the compactly-built teenager, but recent history suggests the bonus will fall in the $2MM range. Mike Leake ($2.27MM in 2009), Gordon Beckham ($2.6MM in 2008) and Casey Weathers ($1.8MM in 2007) all signed for $2MM or so after their clubs selected them eighth overall. The recommended bonus for the eighth overall pick was $2.04MM last year.

Click here for MLBTR's list of first-round picks to sign.

Odds & Ends: Pedro, DeShields, Myers, Lee

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 5, 2010 at 2:02pm CDT

Links for Thursday, as Juan Pierre picks up his 500th career stolen base…

Pedro Martinez said he has recently received offers to pitch this year, but still doesn't intend to play in 2010, according to this AP report on ESPN.com.
Mets owner Fred Wilpon implied to Mike Puma of the New York Post that Omar Minaya will definitely be his GM in 2011.
Top Astros draft pick Delino DeShields Jr. told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that he's excited to begin his pro career. DeShields' deal could be finalized today.
Astros GM Ed Wade told Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse that he has no concern about Brett Myers' health. "He's a 29-year-old horse," Wade said.
Chuck Greenberg's group, which won the auction to buy the Rangers for hundreds of millions, plans to pursue Cliff Lee when he hits free agency after the season, according to Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter). Yesterday, we saw that GM Jon Daniels has interest in bringing the left-hander back.
Tim Redding, who had been pitching in the Yankees system, signed with the Samsung Lions of the Korean Professional Baseball League, according to Donnie Collins of the Scranton Times-Tribune (Twitter link).
Over at RotoAuthority, Tim Dierkes wonders what to expect from Mike Minor as a fantasy baseball option this year.
The Yankees had interest in Willie Harris before the deadline, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
The Rockies 'kicked the tires' on Derrek Lee last month, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter).

Odds & Ends: White Sox, Mariners, Lowell, Myers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 3, 2010 at 8:45pm CDT

More links for Tuesday, as Mike Lowell returns to the Red Sox lineup and blasts a homer over the Green Monster…

White Sox minor league hitting coordinator Jeff Manto told Paul M. Banks of the Sports Bank that prospect Brandon Short has "some of the fastest hands we have in the organization," when discussing Chicago's prospects.
Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told the AP that Don Wakamatsu is the team's manager for the foreseeable future. "We are trying to win baseball games with Don running the ship," Zduriencik said (link at CBS Sports).
The Red Sox told Lowell they won't release him, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com (via Twitter). Speier notes that the Yankees were on Lowell's no-trade list (Twitter link).
The Astros wanted Ruben Tejada and Bobby Parnell from the Mets for Brett Myers, according to Peter Gammons (Twitter link).
The Mets released Ramon Ortiz Sunday, according to the International League transactions page. GM Omar Minaya signed the right-hander back in June.
Yahoo's Jeff Passan explains how Barret Loux is a casualty of the rule that guarantees teams a future pick if they fail to sign their first rounder. The D'Backs first rounder has an uncertain future after a failed physical.
MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo shows how some prospects have performed since switching organizations before the July 31st trade deadline.
Pat Andriola of FanGraphs explains the Nationals' choices with Adam Dunn, who hit waivers today.

Astros Designate Anderson Hernandez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 3, 2010 at 4:24pm CDT

The Astros designated Anderson Hernandez for assignment to make room for Geoff Blum, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (Twitter link). The Astros claimed Hernandez from the Indians in late July, after Cleveland designated him for assignment.

The 27-year-old utility player has appeared at second, third and short this year, and he has also played a game in left field. However, Hernandez has just a .230/.260/.284 line in 77 plate appearances. That isn't far from the .617 OPS he has posted in his six-year MLB career.

Waiver Trade Candidates: NL Central

By Tim Dierkes | August 3, 2010 at 8:06am CDT

The NL Central picture: the Reds and Cardinals are in the race, and the Brewers, Astros, Cubs, and Pirates are out. Waiver trade candidates:

Reds closer Francisco Cordero will probably clear waivers, though he's unlikely to change teams. I view Bronson Arroyo as a similar case. The Reds could use the depth Aaron Harang will provide when he returns from the disabled list from back spasms, though the chance to shed the remainder of his contract would be appealing.

Newly acquired Cardinal Jake Westbrook might clear waivers, not that he'll be dealt again. Kyle Lohse should make it through, if he returns from forearm surgery this month. Skip Schumaker, signed at $2.7MM for next year, could clear waivers as well.

The Brewers should expect Randy Wolf, Trevor Hoffman, David Riske, and LaTroy Hawkins to clear waivers. Perhaps GM Doug Melvin will try to place the a few of the relievers with contenders. Dave Bush and Jim Edmonds are two who might be claimed.

The Astros can count on Carlos Lee, Pedro Feliz, and Brandon Lyon clearing waivers. Most likely Brian Moehler, Tim Byrdak, and Geoff Blum will clear as well. Perhaps one of the cheaper veterans will be dealt.

A host of Cubs figure to clear waivers: Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, Kosuke Fukudome, and Derrek Lee. Of that group I'd say Fukudome has the best chance of going. Aramis Ramirez may get through. He was starting to heat up but recently aggravated a thumb injury. There's a good chance Xavier Nady clears waivers and is traded.

The Pirates don't have many moderate-sized contracts; newly-acquired Chris Snyder could get through waivers. Ryan Doumit should also clear once he returns from the DL, and he does appear to be a trade candidate.

For our primer on the waiver trade process, click here.

Odds & Ends: Rodriguez, Rangers, DeShields

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 2, 2010 at 10:32pm CDT

Links for Monday, as Jeremy Hellickson makes a smooth transition to the majors…

Ivan Rodriguez told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez that he isn't thinking about retirement and expects to play two or three more seasons. Pudge is under contract with the Nationals through 2011.
MLB.com's Hal Bodley names the Yankees and Rangers trade deadline 'winners.'
Rangers GM Jon Daniels explained his club's approach to the deadline, speaking to ESPNDallas.com's Richard Durrett.
The Astros may be in good position to sign their first round pick from the June draft. Delino DeShields told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that his son, Delino Deshields Jr., intends to sign instead of going to college. "He's going to be an Astro," DeShields said. "No doubt."
Former Astro Lance Berkman told Tim Britton and Didier Morais of MLB.com that adjusting to life in the Bronx after so many years in Houston will take some time.

Minor League Transactions: Lumsden, Red Sox

By Tim Dierkes | August 2, 2010 at 2:15pm CDT

The latest minor league transactions from Baseball America's Matt Eddy…

The Padres acquired lefty Tyler Lumsden from the Astros for future considerations. The former first-round pick has already tossed over ten innings for the Double A San Antonio Missions. Lumsden was well-regarded a few years ago, ranking fifth among Royals' prospects in BA's '07 Handbook.
The Red Sox released pitchers Randor Bierd and Kason Gabbard. Bierd came to the Sox in the January '09 David Pauley trade, while Gabbard was sent to Texas in July of '07 in the Eric Gagne deal and later reacquired.
The Diamondbacks released reliever Saul Rivera. He'd been designated for assignment on June 8th.

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