Towles: Out of chances?
(c) Houston Astros
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While we've enjoyed Lance Berkman's role in winning a World's Championship and continued to wait out the ownership drama, the Astros have made some moves over the past month that need acknowledgement.
Late season call-ups Xavier Cedeno, Lance Pendleton and Jose Valdez (all pitchers) were outrighted to the minors for the purpose of removing them from the 40-man roster. Cedeno and Valdez later signed minor league contracts to continue with the organization while Pendleton decided to become a free agent.
Two other players, catcher J.R. Towles and pitcher Alberto Arias, were also outrighted to the minors. Arias had been transferred off the 60-day disabled list where he had been all season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Arias was later signed to a minor league contract.
Towles appears to be done with the Astros organization. Brian Esposito and Robinson Cancel have opted for free agency which leaves some holes in the organization at the catcher spot. Because of that, the Astros claimed Craig Tatum off waivers from Baltimore. Tatum has had three partial seasons in the majors - two of which were disappointing but the third (.280/.349/.316 in 2010) offers some hope.
These moves give GM Ed Wade some room for upcoming transactions which likely will include the December Rule V draft.
The Astros also retained manager Brad Mills and their entire 2011 coaching staff. One can view that one of two ways - either that the craptacular season just completed wasn't their fault or that coaching stability is the best thing for a very young team.
Meanwhile, those above Mills continue to be in limbo awaiting whether the sale of the franchise to a group led by Jim Crane will be approved this month. While we all wait, don't expect much offseason activity until the ownership situation is resolved.
- Bob Hulsey
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