It’s All Quiet On The Houston Astros Front…Too Quiet

Remember the days the MLB Hot Stove was burning…it was on FIRE?!? Boy were those fun. Even the Houston Astros got into the mix with the signing of Luke Gregerson, Pat Neshek, and Jed Lowrie.

With the first two signings, the Astros significantly improved their biggest weakness of last year. Both Gregerson and Neshek, along with expected improvements from the younger relievers will do wonders for the pen. The addition of Lowrie will help bolster the lineup since the Astros got very little out of their shortstop position.

Apr 26, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Jed Lowrie (8) drives in a run with a single during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Those three moves cost the Astros approximately $19.5 million which is just $500,000 short than the expected payroll increase that Owner Jim Crane mentioned we could see at the beginning of the offseason.

However, the Astros are still expected to make a few more moves before the season begins. GM Jeff Luhnow has said they will pursue another starting pitcher, though that pitcher is not expected to be an ace. With that said, both Max Scherzer and James Shields are still on the market. Cole Hamels and David Price are also aces that could be available via trade.

No one really expects the Astros to pursue any of the frontline starters available, though they have been rumored as a sleeper team for Hamels. Adding any of the aforementioned four aces would add at least another $20 million in payroll. Would the Astros almost double their spending in one move? Luhnow told Evan Drellich (Houston Chronicle) that it’s possible.

"“We still have opportunity to do a few more things if we need to,” Luhnow said. “I don’t get into what our payroll’s going to be, but I appreciate the fact that Jim (owner Jim Crane) has given us his support, and we were able to go out and sign free agents. If we feel like there’s another need that we can fill through free agency, he will support it.”"

Assuming you believe Luhnow that they won’t go after an ace, there are still some solid mid-rotation options available. We will see which route the Astros choose to go, but I do expect them to add at least one more rotation candidate whether via free agency or trade.

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Another move that pretty much HAS to happen over the next two months is at catcher. Jason Castro, Carlos Corporan, Hank Conger, and Max Stassi are all on the 40-man roster, which is one catcher too many. I still expect to see Castro the one being traded but that all depends on if Luhnow can maximize his value coming off a rough 2014 season. Corporan may be the most likely one to be traded since he has value as a backup veteran defensive backstop.

So Astros fans, it is quiet on the hot stove right now but things could be heating up soon. A move at starting pitcher and catcher seem likely at this point and you never know when Luhnow could make a surprise move, whether that be at third base or in the outfield.

For now we wait…