The Astros have outrighted 35-year old OF/IF David Newhan to AAA making him a free agent. Newhan played in 64 games for the Astros last season and he was 27 for 104 (.260 avg, .701 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 2 homers and 12 RBIs. He has now played in 413 games in his major league career and he is 249 for 986 (.253 avg, .692 OPS) with 148 runs scored, 23 homers, 120 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Newhan will likely get a spring invite from some team seeking bench help.

The Astros have acquired 25-year old lefty Tyler Lumsden from the Royals for a player to be named later or cash. Lumsden was the #13 prospect in the Royals’ minor league system heading into the 2008 season according to Baseball America. But, he had a awful season in AAA ball in 2008. He pitched in 28 games (18 starts) in AAA for the Royals and he was 3-13 with 1 save, a 7.21 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP. Lumsden gave up a stunning 138 hits and walked 62 batters in only 107.1 innings last season. Still, the price was right to take a chance on Lumsden as talented lefties are hard to find. The Astros’ coaches will have to bring out the best in Lumsden if he’s going to make the roster out of spring training.

The Astros need to bring in two new catchers as the ones they have are awful. The Astros will likely kick the tires on Ivan Rodriguez, Jason Varitek, Paul LoDuca and Michael Barrett for the starting job. Gregg Zaun, David Ross, Henry Blanco, Eliezer Alfonzo and Javier Valentin make sense as possible backup catchers. The Astros could likely use 2-3 starting pitchers and they will have their eyes on three pitchers from the past. Randy Johnson, Andy Pettitte and Randy Wolf will likely all be considered by the Astros. From the right side the Astros will likely give Jon Garland, Braden Looper, Paul Byrd, Pedro Martinez and Brad Penny phone calls. The Astros will likely look to add a veteran righty to help out in the bullpen. Russ Springer, Kyle Farnsworth, Juan Cruz, David Weathers, Chan Ho Park and Bobby Howry will probably be considered. If the Astros fail to sign any of those relievers then they will likely re-sign Doug Brocail who pitched pretty well for them last season.

The Astros has re-signed 35-year old righty reliever LaTroy Hawkins. Hawkins pitched very well for the Astros after coming over from the Yankees in a trade last season. He pitched in 24 games (0 starts) for the Astros last season and he was 2-0 with 1 save, a 0.43 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP. Hawkins should work in the 7th and 8th innings this season for the Astros. He has now pitched in 688 games (98 starts) in his major league career and he is 59-77 with 76 saves, a 4.64 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Hawkins might be a bargain for the $3.5 million the Astros will be paying him in 2009.

The Astros have outrighted 28-year old righty swinging 1B Mark Saccomanno to AAA making him a free agent. Saccomanno played in 10 games for the Astros this season and he was 2 for 10 (.200 avg, .800 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. He also played in 137 games in AAA last season and he was 157 for 528 (.297 avg, .860 OPS) with 83 runs scored, 27 homers and 84 RBIs. Saccomanno will likely get a invite to spring training from some team over the winter but the Astros won’t lose any sleep by letting him walk.