BallHype - Latest Houston Astros News Articles

Re-signing their own Astros' priority

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:59:00 +0000

When it comes to the big names of the free agent market this offseason, don't expect to see the likes of Matt Holliday or John Lackey spending time looking for real estate or researching the best school districts in the Houston area.

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Wright's winter work impressing Astros

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:30:00 +0000

If his performance in the Dominican Winter League is any indication, Wesley Wright could have a future in the Astros' rotation.

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Several clubs expressing interest in John Smoltz

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:01:45 +0000

Sporting News staff reports John Smoltz apparently won't lack for options this offseason. FoxSports.com reports the 42-year-old right-hander has drawn interest from at least seven clubs, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and Seattle Mariners. Other potential suitors include the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. Smoltz finished this past season with the Cardinals, going 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA as the club's fifth starter. He began the year with the Boston Red Sox but was released after posting an 8.32 ERA in eight starts. Fox speculates that Smoltz would prefer to remain in the National League, where has played all but four months of his 22-year major league career. The site also reports that Smoltz is open to being a starter or a reliever and says that "some teams have inquired about him as a closer."

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Astros not interested in Smoltz

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:09:00 +0000

While the Astros have kicked around dozens of names from the list of free agents who have filed, sources indicate their interest in John Smoltz just isn't there.

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Astros open to re-signing Tejada

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:15:00 +0000

While the Astros may not be in the market for other teams' big-ticket free agents, they are interested in re-signing some of their own players, including shortstop Miguel Tejada.

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Astros name Minor League coaches

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:18:00 +0000

The Astros on Monday announced the field staffs at several of their Minor League affiliates, including the managers at Triple-A Round Rock, Double-A Corpus Christi, Class A Lancaster and Class A Lexington.

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Bullpen top offseason priority for Astros

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:56:18 +0000

Sporting News staff reports The Astros' website reported the bullpen will be the top priority for the team this offseason. Closer Jose Valverde and setup man LaTroy Hawkins are free agents, and the team already declined the 2010 option for P Doug Brocail. Valverde and Hawkins combined to save 34 games this season, and the club is unlikely to be able to afford both. "Whether being able to retain Valverde or do something in free agency or make a trade or take a younger guy and try to push him to the back end of the bullpen, we have to be open-minded," Wade told the website.

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Astros gather to erase homelessness

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:50:00 +0000

Several Astros eager to participate on Saturday in an event designed to help 20 families who are transitioning from homelessness to self-sufficiency with the assistance of local agencies.

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Astros making bullpen offseason priority

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:45:00 +0000

When it comes to free agency, the Astros are going to keep an eye focused on bullpen help.

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The Houston Astros Will Win Again, but Not With Oswalt, Berkman, or Lee

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:02:02 +0000

Building and maintaining a consistent winner in baseball is one of the hardest things to do in all of sports. In football, basketball, and hockey rosters can completely change over within the course of two or three years. The economics of baseball don't allow such turnover to take place. Guaranteed contracts and no-trade clauses tie a team to player regardless of performance or injury. While reconfiguring the economics of the game is an entirely different discussion, the Houston Astros are one of the teams most affected by the current set up. Despite being the fourth largest city in the country, Houston is considered a "small market" thanks to their current television contract. With the combination of a large population and a still beautiful 10-year old ballpark, there is no reason for Houston to be lumped in with teams like the Royals, Brewers, and Twins for television revenue. The team had their highest payroll in it's history last season that topped out at just under $103 million, but most ...

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The Houston Astros and Free Agency

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:15:17 +0000

Now that the World Series is over, we are now in the free agency period of baseball. It reminds me a little of the climax of Christmas and the letdown of the "After Christmas" sales that tell us that the season of excitement is all over. (Granted, there are those who will use the huge After Christmas discounts this year to do their Christmas 2010 shopping). Several names have come up with the Houston Astros of those filing for free agency: Darin Erstad, Mike Hampton, Jason Michaels, Jose Valverde, Miguel Tejada and reliever LaTroy Hawkins. Also filing are Doug Brocail and Aaron Boone. Boone might possibly retire, Brocail was not offered an option for 2010, and Hampton will be out all of next season with an arm injury, so most likely they won't be in an Astros uniform next season. My understanding is Houston's talking to Hawkins and Michaels. It would be smart to bring back Hawkins, who was 1-4 with a 2.13 ERA and 11 saves in 63.1 innings pitched. He also had an excellent 45-16 strikeouts to ...

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Valverde files for free agency

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 23:56:00 +0000

Astros closer Jose Valverde filed for free agency Monday, joining teammates Miguel Tejada, LaTroy Hawkins, Jason Michaels and Darin Erstad, who filed last week.

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Astros put an end to Castro's season

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 17:24:00 +0000

The Astros sent prospect Jason Castro home from the Arizona Fall League on Sunday, officially ending what was an eventful 2009 season for the 22-year-old catcher.

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