| Newsbreakers |
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| The Indians would be interested in Jose Valverde if the Astros offer him on the trading block as expected, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Indians' GM Mark Shapiro said, "If Valverde is available, he's be a guy we'd explore." |
Our View: The Indians top needs for 2009 are a closer and third baseman. Valverde would be a strong addition to fill one of those voids, as he nailed down 44 saves with a 1.18 WHIP for Houston in 2008. |
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| The Houston Astros purchased the contract of second baseman Drew Sutton and added him to their 40-man roster, according to the Astros official web site. |
Our View: Sutton led all Astros Minor Leaguers in batting average, hits, runs scored, walks, doubles and extra-base hits in 2008. He posted a .317 average, 20 home runs and 69 RBIs for Corpus Christi and was named a Texas League midseason and postseason All-Star. |
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| Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle believes Ty Wigginton is likely going to be dealt in the next few weeks. |
Our View: The team is looking to trim their payroll, and Wigginton is viewed as expendable, namely because their high profile stars like Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman are untouchable. As for replacing Wigginton at third base, Chris Johnson is considered the best option in their thinned out farm system. |
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| Chris Sampson is reportedly doing well following elbow surgery, according to the Houston Chronicle. He said, "It's going real good. I get to see the doctor on Thursday." |
Our View: He underwent surgery on October 1. He won't be ready to compete for a rotation spot in spring training, but could hold value to the Astros as a reliever when ready to return to the mound. He held a solid 1.20 WHIP over 117.1 innings in 2008. |
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| The Astros are trying to dump money and may be willing to deal Carlos Lee, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: He would need to waive his no-trade clause. The 32-year-old outfielder will earn $74 million through 2012. He would be expensive to acquire, but is a strong power hitter, and has topped .300 in three straight seasons. |
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| Randy Wolf is testing the free agent market, but the Astros would still like to retain him, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
Our View: Several NL clubs would like to land the 32-year-old hurler to round out the back of their rotation. He pitched 190.1 innings in 2008, while maintaining a passable 1.38 WHIP. |
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| Jose Castillo hit two home runs for Caracas of the Venezuelan Winter League on Saturday. |
Our View: Castillo remained in the majors for all of last season, but he hit just .246 and could be hard-pressed to find similar playing time this season. |
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| The Astros are anxious to dump salary, and they would like to move Miguel Tejada or Jose Valverde, as well as Carlos Lee if he would waive his no-trade clause, the Boston Globe reports. |
Our View: Tejada is aging not so gracefully, but there still should be interest in the shortstop around the league. |
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| According to the New York Post, Houston closer Jose Valverde, one year away from free agency, is available via trade. However, the Mets say they will not give up a significant package for a pending free agent. |
Our View: The Mets' search for a closer continues. Valverde would almost certainly cost an arm and a leg after his big 2008 season. |
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| Pitcher Randy Wolf will not accept the Astros' offer, and will instead test the free agent market, according to Astros.com. "We are going to hit free agency and see what happens," Wolf said. |
Our View: Wolf is interested in signing with a club who will battle for a playoff spot next season. As a 32-year-old left-hander who threw 190 innings last season, he should be able to secure a multi-year deal somewhere. |
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| MLB.com reports that Doug Brocail has been offered a contract by his former team the Houston Astros. The Astros had previously declined Brocail's $3.25 million option for 2009, but hope to re-sign him for less money. |
Our View: Brocail has indicated a desire to return, though multiple teams in addition to Houston, including the Red Sox, are interested in the right-hander. Brocail went 7-5 with a 3.93 ERA in a career-high 72 appearances last season. |
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| The Astros have extended a contract offer to Randy Wolf, who is on the verge of entering the free agent market, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
Our View: The club made an offer, but GM Ed Wade would not comment on the details. The 32-year-old lefty would garner solid interest on the free agent market, as he won four of his last five decisions and six of his last eight in 2008. |
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| Carlos Lee, who is recovering from a fractured finger, is on pace to be ready for spring training, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Lee will continue a workout routine that includes cardio work and weightlifting and will be re-examined in January, but is expected to have no limitations for the start of spring training. Lee was notably leading the NL with 100 RBI over 115 games prior to going down.
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| The Astros declined Doug Brocail's 2009 option, but the veteran reliever is still a top priority for the club to re-sign, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
Our View: The 41-year-old held a solid 1.22 WHIP over 68.2 innings of relief in 2008, and is viewed as a top leader of the club. |
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| Re-signing free agent Randy Wolf is a top priority for the Astros, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
Our View: The 32-year-old hurler remains the top starting pitcher on Houston's free-agent list, and he’ll likely receive a multi-year deal close to or over the $9 million he got last season. He maintained a 4.30 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 190.1 innings in 2008. |
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| Mark Loretta is reportedly on the Diamondbacks' radar, according to the East Valley Tribune. Agent Bob Garber said, "We've had positive communication. It's still too early in the process for each of us."
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Our View: The 36-year-old is a candidate to replace free agent Orlando Hudson at second base, who is expected to depart. |
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| Chia-Jen Lo signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on Friday, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: It is unclear what role Lo will play with the Astros in 2009. |
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| As expected, LaTroy Hawkins has been re-signed by the Astros, agreeing to a one-year deal for $3.5 million, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: He made $3.75 million last season, so the 35-year-old won't make much less next season. Hawkins was solid for Houston in 2008 as he maintained a 1.21 WHIP over 62 innings of relief, while notching three wins and one save. |
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| The Astros are set to complete a one-year deal for righty reliever LaTroy Hawkins, according to the Houston Chronicle. It is expected to be worth close to the $3.75 million he earned in 2008. |
Our View: The 35-year-old was solid for Houston in 2008 as he maintained a 1.21 WHIP over 62 innings of relief, while notching three wins and one save. |
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| Mark Saccomanno was sent outright to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Saccomanno was a September call-up, and stands a decent chance to get back up to the majors in 2009. |
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| The Astros would like to re-sign free agent LaTroy Hawkins, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
Our View: Hawkins was fairly consistent out of the Houston bullpen in 2008, posting a 3-1 record with one save and a 3.92 ERA in 57 appearances. |
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| The New York Yankees called the Houston Astros to inquire about the availability of pitcher Roy Oswalt and first baseman Lance Berkman, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: Obviously, those two weren't going anywhere, but the fact that the Yankees kicked the tires on them could be a precursor to a possibly very busy offseason. |
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