Houston Astros’ general manager Jeff Luhnow open to all options at Winter Meetings - MLB Update
Jeff Luhnow arrived at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee with a specific agenda on his mind along with a number of other front office staff members. After the end of first day, the Houston Astros general manager looked quite content with how the
proceedings of the day went.
One of the priorities of the team are to pick at least one player from the Rule 5 Draft. Finishing at the bottom of Major Leagues’ 30-team table, the Astros will be getting first picks. However, it was not all about the draft. Jeff hinted that the club will
also be interested in trades.
"I suspect we'll end up doing something besides taking a Rule 5 pick," Luhnow said. "Whether it's a trade or a signing, we're going to work towards all of our goals, and whether we accomplish it or not remains to be seen."
He also believed that the Winter Meetings are an ideal place to get their goals accomplished as everyone, from the team’s executives to free agents are present.
Bo Porter, the recently appointed manager for the Houston Astros believed that the general manager was doing a good job and was making the right moves. "Jeff has done a good job with the research team and putting a lot of information together and identifying
the type of players that will help our team," Porter said.
Since the team is moving to the American League from the National League, they will be looking for a designated hitter. Lance Berkman is the one person the Astros have clearly expressed their liking for and are pushing to get a deal finalised with him.
It may just not be trades that the club will look for and it is quite possible they may pursue some free agents as well. "But I do think you look at the last of available bats out there, whether it's outfield, first base, DH, there's some interesting options,
and we're going to pursue as many as we possibly can this week," Luhnow said.
Astros’ shortstop Jed Lowrie has been attracting some attention from other ball clubs. The general manager believed that it will be a tough and unlikely decision that the Astros will be parting ways with him. The club will like him to improve upon his 2012
form in the 2013 season.
It will be interesting to see the final outcome of the Winter Meetings for the Astros. They will have a good opportunity in the Rule 5 Draft to select the players of their liking. Also, the team will be engaging in talks with other teams about trades and
it will not be surprising if they engage some free agents as well.
The team is in its rebuilding stage and is moving to a new league altogether. Some good decision in Nashville can certainly benefit the team quite a lot in 2013.
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