So we know that Matt Lindstrom and Jeff Keppinger are being shopped. Who are the Astros actually interested in bringing in? This is a list of players that the Astros have been rumored to have interest in.
- SP Cliff Lee (Jon Heyman)
- SP Brandon McCarthy (Jon Morosi)
- SP Jeff Francis (Jerry Crasnick)
- SS JJ Hardy (LaVelle Neal)
While Cliff Lee seems more like something thought up to try and drive up interest and contract costs for the Yankees and Rangers, the other two starting pitchers fit in well with a quote Ed Wade gave (via MLB Trade Rumors):
“Everybody’s always looking for the starting pitcher. We’d love to be able to replicate the Brett Myers experience of last year where you get the guy in a one-year deal and he finds his groove the way that Brett did for us.”
The team is also looking for a left-handed hitting “platoon partner” for Jason Michaels in left field, which gives credibility to the idea that Carlos Lee will be playing first base if he remains in town. The Astros have yet to be linked to anyone on that side of things, which leads me to believe they’re probably looking to trade for one rather than sign one.