Houston Astros to search for a designated hitter in the Winter Meetings - MLB News
The Houston Astros will be having a few thoughts on their mind when they enter then winter meetings in December. Adding a designated to their ranks as they move to the American League from the National League will be one of them.
Houston will also be looking to add depth to its pitching unit, both in the starting rotation and the bullpen. The Astros have Wilton Lopez as their main bullpen guy whom they almost traded to the Phillies before the trade collapsed. It is still rumoured
that the team may trade him in the near future.
They have a few names in the outfield as well but still may add more just to have more options outside the diamond. Jeff Luhnow, the club’s general manager has already hinted at picking up some players in the Rule 5 draft.
The team has some other names, particularly shortstop Jed Lowrie and second baseman Jose Altuve, which may generate some trade interest from other teams. It is unlikely that the Astros will look to trade the duo. However, some quarters suggest that the club
may unload the arbitration eligible Jed Lowrie who is the club’s highest paid player with $1.15 million.
The Houston ball club does not want to affect the at-bats its hitters will have, particularly their preferred ones such as Lowrie and Altuve. The designated hitter should not in any way be affecting the way they plan their line-up for games. Though if a
contrary situation arises, the Astros will be looking into that as well.
"Whoever we get is going to come at the expense of our players getting some at-bats," Luhnow said. "Clearly there's room for one bat and that is at the DH position. Adding two bats? It depends on what position they play. We really don't have a lot of spots
to go around at this point."
The Houston Astros will be looking to make the right moves through the remaining time in the off season as they will like to get things right for the 2013 season. The team that has been losing badly in the last two years may not be able to rebound in 2013
as well as it moves to a new league. However, making the right moves now will help the team for many years to come.
Tags: