*Contract details - Neshek: 2yrs/$12.5m with an option for a 3rd year that could push it to $21m. Gregerson: 3yrs/$18m with a possibility of a total of $21m based on performance. Click the link, because Neshek details how the negotiations unfolded.
We like our rotation but feel like there is room for one proven major league starter to write in there somewhere in the middle of the rotation.
Luhnow would go on to say that Scott Feldman, Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh are locks for the rotation. The Astros believe Mike Foltynewicz and Asher Wojciechowski are possibilities for the SP5 slot.
Unsurprisingly, the Astros are "not competing for the top guys in the market." So I guess I can cancel that Scherzer jersey I had pre-ordered.
*Evan Drellich writes in this article that the Astros may lose Delino DeShields and catcher Ramiro Pena in the Rule 5 draft, which takes place this morning. The Astros have the 1.4 pick, but aren't expected to select anyone for the first time since Oprah was born.
*The Astros - among several other teams - are still engaged in talks with Jed Lowrie, The Nationals "seem like a fit," but don't seem to be heavily involved. Within the 2nd link here, the Astros did apparently ask the Nationals about Tyler Clippard, but the Nats want "better than a low-tier prospect" and aren't just interested in dumping Clippard's (projected) $9m salary.
*Dallas Keuchel will headline the South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet in Corpus on January 28.
*Unrelated to the Astros: Here's a good piece by Yahoo's Tim Brown on a wild day for the Dodgers.
