Happ: Avoids arbitration
(c) Associated Press
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The Astros settled with lefthander J.A. Happ on Tuesday to avoid arbitration. Happ is to receive $2.35 million for 2012. At that price, he'll need to improve on the 6-15 record and 5.35 ERA in what was a disappointing 2011 performance to all concerned.
When he's on, Happ's a capable mid-rotation starter but he simply wasn't that good last season. If he has a bounceback effort, the 28-year-old might become trade bait in July or a lifeline should the Astros successfully deal Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers. He can be penciled in as the fourth starter but that's not guaranteed without a sharp spring.
Jed Lowrie, the infielder acquired from Boston this winter for reliever Mark Melancon, appears headed to arbitration. The Astros have offered $900,000 while Lowrie is requesting $1.5 million. While $600,000 doesn't seem like a lot of money in the world of baseball contracts, it represents a sizable gulf between the two sides.
The Astros have also comes to terms with outfielder Jack Cust on a free agent deal, with an option for 2013. Cust is well-known to the American League West after hitting 84 homers for Oakland between 2007 and 2009 but he hit just three last season in Seattle while hitting .213 with a .673 OPS. The 33-year-old Cust strikes out more often then a lounge lizard with bad breath and his defense makes Carlos Lee look like a gold glover. Makes you wonder how the Ivy League slide rulers thought this guy fit their formula.
Unless he will be inked to a minor league deal, the Astros will need to drop another player off the 40-man roster to make room for Cust. Last week, Houston claimed outfielder Fernando Martinez off waivers from the Mets and designated pitcher Henry Villar for assignment. It looks like the competition for outfield roster spots just got hotter.
- Bob Hulsey
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