Astros Trade Rumors

"The Astros have had discussions with some clubs that are interested in Humberto Quintero, the catcher who was designated for assignment."

"Righthander John Patterson, who was released by the Washington Nationals on Thursday, cleared waivers Saturday and became a free agent. The Astros are interested in signing the Orange native, and the feeling is mutual."

"Astros general manager Ed Wade said the club would pursue talks with righthander John Patterson if he clears waivers today... The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly are interested in trading for Mark Loretta to fill in for third baseman Nomar Garciaparra, who won't be ready for opening day."

"Assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and Mike Arbuckle both said the Phillies likely aren't interested in right-hander John Patterson, who was released Thursday by the Washington Nationals. It appears that Patterson, hampered last season by nerve damage in his right forearm, may sign a minor-league deal with the Astros."

"Trade talks continue regarding second baseman Brian Roberts, with the Chicago Cubs believed to be the most aggressive pursuers. The Orioles remain interested in the Houston Astros' Mark Loretta, either as an eventual replacement for Roberts or a utility infielder."

"Utility infielder Mark Loretta reportedly is drawing some trade interest from Baltimore. The Orioles sent a scout to Monday's exhibition game against Toronto in Kissimmee, Fla."

"Seeking to add infield depth and to find a potential replacement if they trade second baseman Brian Roberts, the Orioles have expressed interest in Houston Astros utility infielder Mark Loretta."

"Scouts for the Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals clustered behind a chain-link fence to watch Ponson's latest reincarnation. A pitcher who once huffed and puffed to muster an 88 mph fastball threw with little obvious effort and significantly more velocity. "I'm throwing nice and free again. I don't have to force anything," Ponson said."

"The Astros could find out today if they won their arbitration case against infielder Mark Loretta, which was heard Monday morning during a four-hour hearing in St. Petersburg, Fla."

"The Phillies are apparently a lot more serious about free-agent pitcher Kris Benson than they've let on. Benson has thrown privately for Phillies scout Chuck LaMar twice in the last week, a baseball source said after Benson's most recent audition yesterday in Atlanta... Several other teams, including Washington, Houston and St. Louis, have had interest, and there were indications yesterday that Atlanta might get involved."

" Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Friday he's excited about the possibility of working with Nolan Ryan if Ryan comes aboard as the club's president. The bigger question may be whether Daniels would be working with Ryan or for him."

"With one year left on the five-year personal services contract he signed with the Astros in 2004, Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan said he is intrigued by the vacant presidency position with the Texas Rangers."

" Nolan Ryan spoke with media members in Houston on Monday and said there would be 'some attraction' to becoming Rangers president."

"Just when we were all beginning to believe that Tom Hicks simply can't do anything right, on this side of the Atlantic or the other, he throws a beauty of a 12-to-6 curveball right over the heart of the plate. God bless him, he calls Nolan Ryan."

"Astros owner Drayton McLane confirmed Saturday he had given Nolan Ryan permission to speak with the Texas Rangers about a front office position."

"Though they would have preferred to have more time to work out deals with the Astros, the agents for closer Jose Valverde and infielder Mark Loretta believe they can win their clients' cases in arbitration."

"Rangers owner Tom Hicks met with Nolan Ryan over lunch in Georgetown on Friday and might be trying to lure him away from the Houston Astros and back to the Rangers. The bait might be the club presidency."

"Astros general manager Ed Wade said Tuesday he had notified the agents for infielder Mark Loretta and closer Jose Valverde the club is prepared to have an arbitration panel decide their 2008 salaries if they don't reach a deal by this afternoon."

"By signing Geary, the Astros are left with three remaining arbitration-eligible players: righthanders Dave Borkowski and Jose Valverde and infielder Mark Loretta. The team exchanged salary demands with the three Friday."

" The process of finishing out the Rangers' roster continues. The club re-signed arbitration-eligible outfielder Marlon Byrd on Wednesday and could add free-agent pitcher Jason Jennings to the team today. Byrd will receive $1.8 million. "

"An agent for free-agent starting pitching Runelvys Hernandez said Saturday the 29-year-old righthander is close to reaching a one-year deal with the Astros."

"Mark Prior's agent gives the Astros high marks in their pursuit of the righthander, but it's clear Houston will have to overcome some serious geography issues to beat out the San Diego Padres."

"In an effort to add depth to their starting rotation, the Astros made an offer to free-agent pitcher Mark Prior on Monday."

"With the addition of reliever Luis Vizcaino, pending a physical, the Rockies have protection if they want to listen to offers for setup man Brian Fuentes. The Rockies made him available during the winter meetings but wanted a major-league starting pitcher and reliever in return. The Houston Astros, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves expressed interest. The Mets were the most serious, offering Aaron Heilman."

"Astros general manager Ed Wade said Thursday the club has contacted the agent for righthander Mark Prior, who became a free agent when the Chicago Cubs chose to non-tender his contract Wednesday night."

"MacPhail said the club is in the process of filtering the number of suitors to decide who is the best trade fit for several Orioles. At this point, it appears the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners have emerged as the leading contenders for Bedard. The Houston Astros have been the most aggressive suitor for Tejada, and the Chicago Cubs have honed in on Roberts."

"Utility infielder Mark Loretta, who hit .287 while appearing in 133 games for the Astros in 2007, accepted the club's offer of salary arbitration Friday and will return to the team. But the Astros likely will be forced to work out a two-year deal if they plan to keep lefthanded reliever Trever Miller, who turned down the club's arbitration offer and plans to test free agency."

"As the winter meetings concluded Thursday, Astros general manager Ed Wade picked up a lefthanded reliever in the Rule V draft, left some trade offers on the table and found out that in all likelihood he will get veteran infielder Mark Loretta back today."

"Several reports yesterday indicated that the Orioles were close to trading Tejada to the Houston Astros, though team sources said they were never imminently close to a deal for their shortstop or anybody else on the roster during the meetings."

"The Yankees and Astros remain interested in trading for lefty reliever Damaso Marte."

"One realistic possibility talked about in the Opryland hotel was OF Luke Scott, who could be acquired from Houston. Others that came up and are unlikely include free agent Luis Gonzalez, a Tampa native; ex-Ray Josh Hamilton, who is being shopped by the Reds; and Laynce Nix, who was designated for assignment by Milwaukee."

"Infielder Clint Barmes has drawn attention from Tampa Bay, the Cubs, St. Louis and Texas, but no firm offers have been made. Houston indicated no interest in a Barmes-for- Chris Burke proposal the Rockies made."

"Second base is becoming a first priority for the Rockies. They met with Tadahito Iguchi's agent Tuesday and appear intrigued they are the only team chasing him specifically as a second baseman. They also offered utilityman Clint Barmes for the Astros' Chris Burke and remain interested in free agent Mark Loretta. "

"Tampa Bay remains firmly in the mix for free-agent LHP Ron Mahay, who has narrowed his list of serious suitors to the Rays, Yankees, Royals, Giants and Astros. Mahay, 36, split last season between Texas and Atlanta. He probably will command a contract along the lines of the three-year, $12 million deal J.C. Romero got from the Phillies last month."

"An ESPN report said the Mariners are interested in Houston free-agent infielder Mark Loretta, which couldn't be confirmed but makes sense. The Mariners came within minutes of trading for Loretta at last season's trading deadline, and want to bring in someone to challenge out-of-favor second baseman Jose Lopez next spring."

"As the Padres put final touches on a three-year, $52 million extension to ace Jake Peavy, they revisited the evolving market for free-agent outfielders Mike Cameron, Kosuke Fukudome, Geoff Jenkins and Milton Bradley; and for trade targets such as Astros outfielder Luke Scott, Cubs pitcher Mark Prior and Cardinals pitcher Anthony Reyes."

"As a policy, Wade doesn't divulge the players he's pursuing on the trade market. But Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan is one player the Astros reportedly are after. They also have been linked in talks for Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada... Relievers Nathan, Brian Fuentes of Colorado and Huston Street of Oakland might be expensive, but they represent a realistic catch for the Astros."

"The Astros might kick at Tejada's tires, but they'd be better off shopping in the bargain bin. Four-time All-Star shortstop or not, Tejada is an extravagance the Astros don't need and can't afford."

"Armed with reams of statistics, color-coded scouting charts and gut instincts, general manager Dan O'Dowd is trying to figure out how to replace Kazuo Matsui, who signed a three-year, $16.5 million deal with the Astros on Sunday. Possibilities include signing free agent Mark Loretta or trading for Chris Burke, who both played for the Astros in 2007. The agent for former Atlanta and San Diego starter Marcus Giles also has contacted the Rockies. "

"Among the free agents, the most likely candidates appear to include Geoff Jenkins, Darin Erstad and Brad Wilkerson. ESPN.com reported the Rays met with Jenkins' agent Monday and there has been considerable buzz around the other two names. As for trade possibilities, the Astros' Luke Scott reportedly is likely to be moved and might be a good fit."

"The Padres are focused mostly on shoring up their outfield and finding another starting pitcher, but General Manager Kevin Towers said yesterday he might shop for a second baseman to hold the job until prospect Matt Antonelli is ready. Towers described veterans such as Taduhito Iguchi and Mark Loretta as “possibilities” for a one-year contract."

"Shortly after signing a contract to join the Astros, Kaz Matsui spoke Sunday of what an honor it is to replace 'the great Mr. Biggio' as the club's starting second baseman. Meanwhile, Chris Burke, who for the past three seasons has awaited his chance to supplant retired 20-year veteran Craig Biggio, spoke of the disappointment of learning the job was going to someone else."

"Not wanting to lose potential draft picks, the Astros on Saturday offered arbitration to infielder Mark Loretta and lefthander Trever Miller, leaving the players six days to decide if they want to accept."

"With a physical and only a few minor details left before free-agent second baseman Kaz Matsui signs a contract with the Astros, some of his future teammates are praising the moves new general manager Ed Wade has made heading into next week's winter meetings. With the addition of Matsui, who spent this past season with Colorado, and center fielder Michael Bourn, acquired in a trade from Philadelphia early last month, the Astros have two players who could be used as trade bait."

"Barring some unforeseen developments, the Astros will beat out the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies to sign free-agent second baseman Kazuo Matsui, a person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed on Thursday night."

"Reliever Doug Brocail is on the verge of leaving the Padres. 'More than likely, he'll sign elsewhere,' General Manager Kevin Towers said yesterday."

"Geoff Blum, who hit the game-winning home run against the Astros in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series, is returning to Houston as a utility player. And if the Astros have their way, some other players Blum's agent represents might join Blum here next season."

"Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was on the road Tuesday, perhaps courting free-agent second baseman Kaz Matsui, who played for the National League champion Colorado Rockies. Hendry wouldn't give his location, but the Cubs are hot after Matsui. Despite reports that the Houston Astros are close to signing Matsui, the Cubs appear to be very much in the running. "

" Florida third baseman Miguel Cabrera is the biggest impact hitter on the trade market...The St. Louis Cardinals confirmed that Gold Glove third baseman Scott Rolen would be available... Other free agents include Morgan Ensberg, Mike Lamb and Mike Lowell, who is expected to remain in the A.L. East."