Gotcha. Thanks.

- The Astros have at least "kicked the tires" on Headley as an option at third base, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe tweets.

Lowrie is indeed willing to play elsewhere in the infield, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports. That face makes him a solid fit for the Astros, where he could keep the seat warm for Carlos Correa at short before eventually sliding to third, or possibly move to hot corner right away while providing some insurance up the middle.

Krauss was claimed by Angels... shucks!

I'd be pretty happy with Lowrie. Obviously he's just keeping the spot warm for Correa

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Krauss was claimed by Angels... shucks!

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Best news I've heard all day

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Krauss was claimed by Angels... shucks!

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More addition by subtraction.

Krauss could barely find playing time on the Astros.. What the hell are the Angels going to do with him?

Robertson agrees to 4 yr/40+ million deal with White Sox

Awesome. No loss of draft pick.

So are we on to Romo now?

Sounds like we might have the high offer on the table for Headley:

The Yankees would also like to re-sign Chase Headley, although Madden notes that the Astros are rumored to have offered him five years and $65MM.

It's not Heddy, it's Headley! Headley Lamar!

Sorry, I just always think of that movie when someone says his name. Wouldn't mind seeing him in an Astros uniform though!

Reports are that Headley may make a decision today.

Please please please

I don't understand why they are throwing so much money that guy's way...dude looks like he had 2-3 solid years and those are behind him.

His bad years are bether than Dominguez good ones. He plays lights out defense. Him and Lowrie would provide a very capable left side of the infield, and gives us time to fully groom Correa and Moran, especially if they can front load his contract.

Say Moran is ready in two years, and Headlet has two left after being a 1-2 WAR player the first 2. He would be good trade bait at that point, and there's always the backup option of him DHing

Astros report Lj Hoes is available for trade. Lunhow's phone must be ringing off the hook.

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Astros report Lj Hoes is available for trade. Lunhow's phone must be ringing off the hook.

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If Krauss is picked up off waivers, anything can happen

Jeff Luhnow given extension in past year

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Crane said he didn't remember exactly when the extension was given, but estimated it to have come some time last offseason.

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The Astros contacted the Nationals about Tyler Clippard though talks "didn't get far," Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports.

The Astros have spoken to Sergio Romo and Luke Gregerson, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter).

Outfielder L.J. Hoes is being made available in trades for relief help, SB Nation's Chris Cotillo tweets. Hoes has hit .235/.288/.331 over 321 career plate appearances with Baltimore and Houston, receiving playing time off the bench in each of the last two seasons.

Astros owner Jim Crane spoke to Evan Drellich today, reiterating that the team has at least $20MM to spend this offseason and potentially more. "Definitely that money's available if they need it, and we could stretch a little if we need to and if something came in our direction we felt was the right piece that improved the team," Crane said. Also from this piece, Drellich notes that Crane was personally involved in process of trying to recruit Miller.

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His bad years are bether than Dominguez good ones. He plays lights out defense. Him and Lowrie would provide a very capable left side of the infield, and gives us time to fully groom Correa and Moran, especially if they can front load his contract.

Say Moran is ready in two years, and Headlet has two left after being a 1-2 WAR player the first 2. He would be good trade bait at that point, and there's always the backup option of him DHing

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We don't have the money for Headley, lowrie and bullpen help. We have roughly $20 million, Headley and Lowrie will cost about $25 million.

Then spend it

This franchise has some serious potential if they can sign some quality players and lock them down for the next 3 or 4 seasons. With all the potential coming up (probably late this season), this is the time to be looking now.

I have a feeling these next 2-3 seasons will dictate the next 10-15 years of this franchise, in terms of failure. If the stros bomb these next few years, I expect bottom of the pack for a long time. If they can succeed and look good in the next 3 seasons, I feel they can be a consistent mediocre team (aside from the new xt few years where I feel they can be damn good)

I love that we have 20M to spend on FAs yet none of it can be spent because no one wants to come play for a chitty team with a GM who loves to tinker.

Just reeks of Lunhow and the Stros getting a bad rap among players and agents.

By Charlie Wilmoth [December 10, 2014 at 1:45am CST]
Free agent reliever Pat Neshek is in the midst of talks with the Astros and two other teams, and he could soon agree to terms, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick tweets. Recent reports have connected the Blue Jays and Pirates to Neshek, although it's unclear if those are the other two teams in negotiations. The Astros, meanwhile, have lately been linked to relievers like Tyler Clippard, Sergio Romo and Luke Gregerson.

Neshek is coming off an outstanding season with the Cardinals in which he posted a 1.87 ERA, 9.1 K/9 and a measly 1.2 BB/9 in 67 1/3 innings. MLBTR's Steve Adams predicted in October that Neshek's breakout season at age 33 would earn him a two-year, $10MM deal this offseason.

Just signed some bum

Luke Gregerson

Great signing of Gregerson. Career 2.75 ERA, 2.99 FIP, 8.82 k/9, 2.27 bb/9.

Quick overview from mlbtraderumors...

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The deal may be surprising at first glance, but only if you have not been paying attention to how good Gregerson has been. In a free agent profile of Gregerson, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes pegged him for $20MM over three years, noting that Gregerson's 2.75 ERA over the last six seasons rates fourth among relievers who have thrown a minimum of 350 frames.

Gregerson, 30, has been both healthy and good for basically his entire career. He gives up few walks, generates plenty of groundballs, and consistently limits opponents to soft contact. Though his strikeout rates dipped somewhat last year, he also posted a career-low 2.12 ERA.

Gregerson has reached those numbers without relying on fastball velocity. Instead, Gregerson has managed to continue dominating with his outstanding slider even as his fastball has dipped into the high-80s.

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Gregerson & Neshak close to signing... outstanding!

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Gregerson & Neshak close to signing... outstanding!

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Both deals are done

Bullpen upgraded

Yessir

Not having a sh**ty bullpen!