It’s no secret that the Houston Astros are shedding payroll like crazy. After the payroll going up every year from 2000 through 2006, it’s now dropped over $25 million since 2009 and looks to go even lower in 2012.

The Biz of Baseball showed that Houston’s total salary commitmentsdropped almost 10 percent in the past year and is down to about $81 million last season. Now that there will no longer be deferred money for Roy Oswalt, that number will go down even further and should end up somewhere around $55 million.

For a little perspective, the last time Houston’s payroll was under $60 million was in 2000, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts.

What’s worse, the divisional breakdowns in the article above show that Houston will be moving into an even tougher division money-wise. The AL West spent over $10 million more on average than the NL Central. If you look at the payroll estimates at Baseball Reference, three of the four current AL West teams will have payrolls over $90 million in 2012.

If Oakland’s proposed move into San Jose proves financially beneficial, it looks like Houston will have a huge amount of pressure to spend itself in the coming years following the move into the American League.

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By Grant Brisbee

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Dec 20, 2011 – The Houston Astros fired former general manager Ed Wade because of esoteric reasons, such as “not acquiring good players at the major- and minor-league levels” and “losing a lot of games.” But it’s worth remembering that he helped build the foundation for the current Philadelphia Phillies team. The Phillies sure remembered him, as they hired him as a special consultant to their baseball operations office. From the Houston Chronicle:

He will be a professional scout, both at the major league and minor league levels seeing clubs within and outside the system, and assist in arbitration.

No, he isn’t going to suggest Carlos Lee for left field. Though that Domonic Brown fella sure is unproven. Hrmm, wonder if the Astros would just do a straight-up swap …

Wade also made light of his trading history with the Phillies during his reign as Astros GM.

“I’m prepared for the remarks that I only traded with the Phillies so Ruben would give me a job if I got fired.”

Wade traded away Hunter Pence, Roy Oswalt, and Brad Lidge to the Phillies while he was with the Astros. When he was with the Phillies, he traded for Billy Wagner, starting the Astros’ tradition of sending their star players to Philadelphia.

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HOUSTON – Former Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade returns to the Philadelphia Phillies where he helped lay the foundation for a World Series championship in 2008.

“The position, special consultant baseball operations with the Phillies,” Wade said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. “I’ll do Major League spring training with the Phillies. Also will also spend time over on the minor league side. I’ll do some spring training scouting of other clubs. In-season I’m going to see their system top to bottom, and I’ll have some specific Major League clubs to follow and then special assignment stuff.

“Just an opportunity for me to stay involved and hopefully help a club win.”

Wade is thrilled to be returning to the Phillies.

“Obvioulsy it’s chance for me to be close to home and work with people who I am familiar,” Wade said. “It’s been six years since I’ve been in the organization, and obviously left with mixed emotions.

“It’s a great organization, a track record of success at this point and as I told (general manager) Ruben Amaro my only goal is to contribute and see if we can get to a point of winning another ring.”

Wade, dismissed by the Astros on Nov. 28, was under contract to Houston through 2013.

“I get bored easily,” Wade said. “I’m signed through October of 2013 with Houston, so I really didn’t have to do anything,” Wade said. “That’s not in my nature.

“When I was dismissed by Philadelphia (as general manager) at the end of the ’05 season, I immediately took a job with San Diego, pro scouting. I love the game,. I’ve been involved in it since the day after my 21st birthday. My entire adult life has been spent in the game. I love every aspect of it. Sitting around or taking up golf really didn’t fit the profile.”

Wade believes he left the Astros with a solid foundation for the future.

“The end is disappointing, not completely surprising,” Wade said. “With the change of ownership it’s certainly disappointing, because I do believe the organization is headed in the right direction, depsite the won-loss record this past year. There are a things on both the near and far horizon that will validate what we’ve being doing for several years.

“It’s going to take patience on the part of the fans to see it manifest itself.”

Mark Melancon: 20 saves for Astros last year. AP PHOTO

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BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox acquired reliever Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros yesterday for infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland, giving the Sox a potential replacement for closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Melancon had 20 saves last season, going 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 71 relief outings during his first full major league season. Papelbon signed as a free agent with the Phillies.

The 26-year-old Melancon, a right-hander, pitched a total of 35 games in 2009 and 2010 with the New York Yankees and Houston with no saves. He was made the Astros’ closer early in the 2011 season.

“The more experience he was able to get gave him more confidence to go out and throw,” Astros manager Brad Mills said.

The 27-year-old Lowrie, a former Lowell Spinner, should fill a vacancy at shortstop for the Astros. Clint Barmes started 120 games there for Houston last season, then signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lowrie spent time on the disabled list each of the last three seasons because of problems with his left wrist, left forearm and right shoulder, and a bout with mononucleosis.

The switch-hitter played all four infield positions last season and hit .252 with six homers and 36 RBIs in a career-high 88 games.

“For me it’s about playing and that’s always what I’ve wanted,” Lowrie said. “Hopefully, I get that opportunity in Houston.”

But he is going from a perennial contender to a rebuilding team.

“I had a

couple of years of playoff experience in Boston and I think it was an opportunity for me to learn what it is on the biggest stage in baseball,” Lowrie said. “I want to bring that experience and that winning culture to Houston. Even if the team is rebuilding, it’s about winning.”

BOSTON — 

The Red Sox acquired reliever Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros yesterday for infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland.

The deal gives the Red Sox a potential replacement for closer Jonathan Papelbon, who signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies. Melancon had 20 saves this year, going 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 71 relief outings during his first full major league season.

Weiland will be given a chance to win a spot in the Houston rotation. To make room on their 40-man roster, the Astros designated infielder Brian Bixler for assignment.

The 26-year-old Melancon, a right-hander, pitched a total of 35 games in 2009 and 2010 with the New York Yankees and Houston with no saves.

“The more experience he was able to get gave him more confidence to go out and throw,” Astros manager Brad Mills said on a conference call.

Also yesterday, the Red Sox signed utility infielder Nick Punto to a $3 million, two-year contract. Rangy and reliable on defense, he batted .278 with one homer and 20 RBIs in 63 games with the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals last season. He had a .388 on-base percentage.

The 27-year-old Lowrie should fill a vacancy at shortstop for Houston. Clint Barmes started 120 games there for Houston last season, then signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lowrie spent time on the disabled list each of the last three seasons because of problems with his left wrist, left forearm and right shoulder, and a bout with mononucleosis.

The switch-hitter played all four infield positions last season and hit .252 with six homers and 36 RBIs in a career-high 88 games.

“For me, it’s about playing and that’s always what I’ve wanted,” Lowrie said. “Hopefully, I get that opportunity in Houston.”

But he is going from a perennial contender to a rebuilding team.

“I had a couple of years of playoff experience in Boston and I think it was an opportunity for me to learn what it is on the biggest stage in baseball,” Lowrie said. “I want to bring that experience and that winning attitude and culture to Houston. Even if the team is rebuilding, it’s about winning.”

Weiland, 25, was 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA in seven games, including five starts, last year for Boston. He spent most of the season in the minors but was promoted when several Red Sox starters were sidelined.

THE BOSTON Red Sox acquired reliever Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros yesterday for infielder Jed Lowrie and righthander Kyle Weiland.

The deal gives the Red Sox a potential replacement for closer Jonathan Papelbon, who signed as a free agent with the Phillies. Melancon had 20 saves this year, going 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 71 relief outings during his first full major league season.

Weiland will be given a chance to win a spot in the Houston rotation. To make room on their 40-man roster, the Astros designated infielder Brian Bixler for assignment.

Melancon, 26, a righthander, pitched a total of 35 games in 2009 and 2010 with the New York Yankees and Houston with no saves.

“The more experience he was able to get gave him more confidence to go out and throw,” Astros manager Brad Mills said on a conference call.

Mills wasn’t ready to name his new closer.

“We’ll have to assess the situation,” he said. “We’re not going to figure out our entire pitching situation on Dec. 14.”

Lowrie, 27, should fill a vacancy at shortstop. Clint Barmes started 120 games there for Houston last season, then signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lowrie spent time on the disabled list each of the last three seasons because of problems with his left wrist, left forearm and right shoulder, and a bout with mononucleosis.

The switch-hitter played all four infield positions last season and hit .252 with six homers and 36 RBI in a career-high 88 games.

“For me, it’s about playing and that’s always what I’ve wanted,” Lowrie said. “Hopefully, I get that opportunity in Houston.”

But he is going from a perennial contender to a rebuilding team.

“I had a couple of years of playoff experience in Boston and I think it was an opportunity for me to learn what it is on the biggest stage in baseball,” Lowrie said. “I want to bring that experience and that winning attitude and culture to Houston. Even if the team is rebuilding, it’s about winning.”

Weiland, 25, was 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA in seven games, including five starts, last year for Boston. He spent most of the season in the minors but was promoted when several Red Sox starters were sidelined.

Mills said Weiland would compete for a spot in Houston’s rotation.

In other news:

 * The Oakland Athletics agreed to a $3.35 million, 1-year contract with lefthander Dallas Braden.

* The Arizona Diamondbacks reached agreement on a 1-year, $1.75 million contract with 41-year-old righhander Takashi Saito. The former All-Star went 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 30 relief appearances for the NL Central-champion Milwaukee Brewers last season.

* According to several reports, the Cardinals are talking with the agent of former Phillies lefthanded reliever J.C. Romero about a 1-year deal. The team also finalized a 2-year, $14 million free agent deal with shortstop Rafael Furcal.

* C.J. Wilson will earn $10 million in 2012 as he starts his $77.5 million, 5-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. The lefthander’s salary will rise to $11 million in 2013, $16 million in 2014, $18 million in 2015 and $20 million in 2016.

* The San Francisco Giants were working to finalize a $1 million, 1-year contract with free-agent reliever Guillermo Mota to bring him back for a third season. The sides had agreed to terms and were waiting to complete a physical and final paperwork for the 38-year-old righthander.

Save opportunities were rarer than diamonds this year for the 106-loss Houston Astros. But when Mark Melancon got a chance, he usually delivered.

“He was nails,” Astros manager Brad Mills said last night.

The Red Sox [team stats] were impressed enough that yesterday they traded talented, but oft-injured infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland to the Astros for Melancon, who won’t necessarily replace closer Jonathan Papelbon [stats] but surely will pitch in close games when late-inning leads need to be safeguarded.

Melancon, 26, took the reins as Astros closer in May and recorded 20 saves in 25 chances. He was 8-4 on the season with a 2.78 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 742⁄3 innings spanning 71 appearances. He held opponents to a .234 batting average and finished the season with an 112⁄3-inning scoreless streak.

And he made only $421,000 this year and likely won’t be eligible for salary arbitration until after the 2013 season.

“We like his stuff, toughness and experience in the ninth inning,” Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said. “His command and cutter both improved as the year went on.”

According to multiple sources, the trade doesn’t preclude the Sox from making another move for a closer or a starter. In fact, it might give Cherington flexibility.

The Sox continue to monitor the market for free agent Ryan Madson, and they have had discussions with Oakland about trading for two-time All-Star Andrew Bailey. Daniel Bard still could be the closer, although he first will compete in spring training for a spot in the starting rotation.

So, where does Melancon fit in?

At the very least, he will help bolster a bullpen weakened by Papelbon’s departure to Philadelphia and the uncertainty regarding Bobby Jenks’ health. Jenks, plagued by injuries this season, underwent back surgery this week, but the Red Sox are confident he will be ready to pitch during spring training.

Melancon has experience, albeit brief, pitching in the AL East for the New York Yankees, once even drawing the ire of Dustin Pedroia [stats] after hitting him on the left shoulder in 2009.

The Yankees dealt Melancon to Houston for Lance Berkman at the trade deadline in 2010. He’s 10-5 with a 3.21 ERA in parts of three seasons with the Yankees and Astros.

“They’re going to enjoy getting him,” said Mills, Terry Francona’s former bench coach with the Sox. “They’re getting a guy coming in riding high full of confidence. He’s going to help them do whatever role they want.”

The rebuilding Astros will give Lowrie a chance to be their shortstop. Mills said Weiland, who struggled after being called up by the Red Sox in September, will compete for a job in the Astros rotation.

Lowrie, 27, showed flashes of being a productive everyday player for the Red Sox, but injuries have hampered his ability to maintain a starting job.

To wit: Lowrie seized the shortstop job from Marco Scutaro in April by batting .368 with three homers, 12 RBI and a .962 on-base plus slugging percentage. But he missed time during the middle of season with a shoulder injury and finished at .252 with six homers, 36 RBI and a .685 OPS.

BOSTON (AP)—The Boston Red Sox tweaked their bullpen and bench with a pair
of moves Wednesday, acquiring reliever Mark Melancon and utility infielder Nick
Punto in separate deals.

After losing closer Jonathan Papelbon in free agency last month, the Red Sox
obtained Melancon from the Houston Astros in a trade for infielder Jed Lowrie
and right-hander Kyle Weiland.

Hours later, the team announced it had signed Punto to a two-year contract.
He replaces Lowrie—both are switch-hitters who can play all over the infield.

The 34-year-old Punto gets a $3 million, two-year deal. Rangy and reliable
on defense, he batted .278 with one homer and 20 RBIs in 63 games with the World
Series champion St. Louis Cardinals last season. He had a .388 on-base
percentage.

Melancon gives the Red Sox a potential replacement for Papelbon, who signed
a $50,000,058, four-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Melancon had
20 saves for Houston this year, going 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 71 relief outings
during his first full major league season.

The 26-year-old right-hander pitched a total of 35 games in 2009 and 2010
with the New York Yankees and Houston.

“The more experience he was able to get gave him more confidence to go out
and throw,” Astros manager Brad Mills said on a conference call.

Mills wasn’t ready to name his new closer.

“We’ll have to assess the situation,” he said. “We’re not going to figure
out our entire pitching situation on Dec. 14.”

Weiland will be given a chance to win a spot in the Houston rotation. To
make room on their 40-man roster, the Astros designated infielder Brian Bixler
for assignment.

The 27-year-old Lowrie should fill a vacancy at shortstop for Houston. Clint
Barmes started 120 games there last season, then signed as a free agent with the
Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lowrie spent time on the disabled list each of the last three seasons
because of problems with his left wrist, left forearm and right shoulder, and a
bout with mononucleosis. He played all four infield positions last season and
hit .252 with six homers and 36 RBIs in a career-high 88 games.

“For me it’s about playing, and that’s always what I’ve wanted,” Lowrie
said. “Hopefully, I get that opportunity in Houston.”

But he is going from a perennial contender to a rebuilding team.

“I had a couple of years of playoff experience in Boston and I think it was
an opportunity for me to learn what it is on the biggest stage in baseball,”
Lowrie said. “I want to bring that experience and that winning attitude and
culture to Houston. Even if the team is rebuilding, it’s about winning.”

Weiland, 25, was 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA in seven games, including five starts,
this year for Boston. He spent most of the season in the minors but was promoted
when several Red Sox starters were sidelined by injuries.

Mills said Weiland would compete for a spot in Houston’s rotation.

The diminutive Punto made 10 postseason starts at second base for the
Cardinals. He is a .249 career hitter with 14 home runs and 218 RBIs in 887
career games with the Phillies (2001-03), Twins (2004-10) and Cardinals (2011).
His teams have made it to the postseason four times.

Punto’s salary is $1.5 million each of the next two years. He can make an
additional $250,000 each season in bonuses for days on the active roster.

BOSTON The Boston Red Sox acquired reliever Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros on Wednesday for infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland.

The deal gives the Red Sox a potential replacement for closer Jonathan Papelbon, who signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies. Melancon had 20 saves this year, going 8-4 with a 2.78 earned-run average in 71 relief outings during his first full major league season.

Weiland will be given a chance to win a spot in the Houston rotation. To make room on their 40-man roster, the Astros designated infielder Brian Bixler for assignment.

The 26-year-old Melancon, a right-hander, pitched a total of 35 games in 2009 and 2010 with the New York Yankees and Houston with no saves.

“The more experience he was able to get gave him more confidence to go out and throw,” Astros manager Brad Mills said on a conference call.

Mills wasn’t ready to name his new closer.

“We’ll have to assess the situation,” he said. “We’re not going to figure out our entire pitching situation on Dec. 14.”

The 27-year-old Lowrie should fill a vacancy at shortstop. Clint Barmes started 120 games there for Houston last season, then signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lowrie spent time on the disabled list each of the last three seasons because of problems with his left wrist, left forearm and right shoulder, and a bout with mononucleosis.

The switch-hitter played all four infield positions last season and hit .252 with six homers and 36 RBIs in a career-high 88 games.

“For me it’s about playing and that’s always what I’ve wanted,” Lowrie said. “Hopefully, I get that opportunity in Houston.”

But he is going from a perennial contender to a rebuilding team.

“I had a couple of years of playoff experience in Boston and I think it was an opportunity for me to learn what it is on the biggest stage in baseball,” Lowrie said. “I want to bring that experience and that winning attitude and culture to Houston. Even if the team is rebuilding, it’s about winning.”

Weiland, 25, was 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA in seven games, including five starts, last year for Boston. He spent most of the season in the minors but was promoted when several Red Sox starters were sidelined.

Mills said Weiland would compete for a spot in Houston’s rotation.

The Associated Press

The Houston Astros have acquired infielder Jed
Lowrie from the Red Sox as part of a three-player trade.

The Astros also received pitcher Kyle Weiland from the Red Sox, and sent
right-handed reliever Mark Melancon to Boston. To make room for Lowrie and
Weiland on the roster, Houston designated infielder Brian Bixler for
assignment.

“We’re extremely excited to have Jed and Kyle as part of our club,” said
Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow. “They fill two significant needs for the
major league club, which are shortstop and pitching depth. Both are talented
young players that we feel have the chance to help us.”

Lowrie had spent his entire career with the Red Sox, who selected him as a
supplemental pick in the first round of the 2005 draft.

He broke into the majors in 2008 and had his best year in 2010, when he hit
.287 with a .381 on-base percentage, nine homers and 24 RBI in 55 games. But
last season, Lowrie regressed. In 88 games, he hit .252 with a .303 OBP and
only six homers. He struck out 60 times and worked only 23 walks.

Lowrie, 27, has played in 256 games over four seasons with Boston. He has hit
.252 with a .324 OBP, 19 homers and 117 RBI while playing all the infield
positions, mostly shortstop.

On the other hand, Melancon shined last season in his first full year with
Houston, which acquired him from the Yankees in July 2010 in the Lance Berkman
trade.

Melancon, 26, made 71 appearances for the Astros in 2011 and had a 2.78 earned
run average, while striking out 66 and walking 26 in 74 1/3 innings.

He also converted 20-of-25 save opportunities and is likely to be a candidate
to become the Red Sox’s closer. Boston needs one after Jonathan Papelbon
signed with the Phillies last month.

While the Astros lost Melancon, they gained another right-hander in Weiland,
who made his major league debut in 2011. He appeared in seven games (five
starts) and went 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA.

Weiland, 25, spent most of last season at Triple-A Pawtucket and went 8-10
with a 3.58 ERA in 24 starts.

©2011 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox acquired reliever Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros on Wednesday for infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland.

The deal gives the Red Sox a potential replacement for closer Jonathan Papelbon, who signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies. Melancon had 20 saves this year, going 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 71 relief outings during his first full major league season.

Weiland will be given a chance to win a spot in the Houston rotation. To make room on their 40-man roster, the Astros designated infielder Brian Bixler for assignment.

The 26-year-old Melancon, a right-hander, pitched a total of 35 games in 2009 and 2010 with the New York Yankees and Houston with no saves.

“The more experience he was able to get gave him more confidence to go out and throw,” Astros manager Brad Mills said on a conference call.

Mills wasn’t ready to name his new closer.

“We’ll have to assess the situation,” he said. “We’re not going to figure out our entire pitching situation on Dec. 14.”

The 27-year-old Lowrie should fill a vacancy at shortstop. Clint Barmes started 120 games there for Houston last season, then signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lowrie spent time on the disabled list each of the last three seasons because of problems with his left wrist, left forearm and right shoulder, and a bout with mononucleosis.

The switch-hitter played all four infield positions last season and hit .252 with six homers and 36 RBIs in a career-high 88 games.

“For me it’s about playing and that’s always what I’ve wanted,” Lowrie said. “Hopefully, I get that opportunity in Houston.”

But he is going from a perennial contender to a rebuilding team.

“I had a couple of years of playoff experience in Boston and I think it was an opportunity for me to learn what it is on the biggest stage in baseball,” Lowrie said. “I want to bring that experience and that winning attitude and culture to Houston. Even if the team is rebuilding, it’s about winning.”

Weiland, 25, was 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA in seven games, including five starts, last year for Boston. He spent most of the season in the minors but was promoted when several Red Sox starters were sidelined.

Mills said Weiland would compete for a spot in Houston’s rotation.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have signed catcher Humberto Quintero to a one-year, $1 million contract plus bonuses.

The deal allows the Astros to avoid arbitration with the 32-year-old who hit .240 with two home runs and a career-high 25 RBIs in 79 games last season.

Also on Monday, Houston announced that catcher Jason Castro had surgery on his left foot. The team expects Castro’s recovery to take about three months.

Castro, who missed all of last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, injured his foot in a game in the Arizona Fall League Nov. 16.

The Astros hoped he could become their full time catcher, but he hasn’t been able to play in the major leagues since his rookie season in 2010.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

HOUSTON — New Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow is confident he can turn the Astros into a winner.

That doesn’t mean he expects the turnaround to be swift for a team that finished with the worst record in baseball last season at 56-106.

Luhnow was a vice president with the St. Louis Cardinals last season. He takes over for Ed Wade, who was fired late last month in the first major move by new Astros owner Jim Crane.

Luhnow wouldn’t give a timeframe for when he thinks the Astros will be able to contend. But he did say that “it’s going to be a challenge and it’s going to be years.”

Crane says that Luhnow signed a multi-year contract, but wouldn’t provide any further details.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

By Steve von Horn

– Newsdesk contributor

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Dec 8, 2011 – The Houston Astros have a new owner, Jim Crane, who recently fired team president Tal Smith and general manager Ed Wade and put the team in the market for a new general manager. The search has officially ended, and the Astros have named St. Louis Cardinals’ former VP of Player Procurement Jeff Luhnow as their new general manager.

After Texas Rangers’ assistant general manager Thad Levine withdrew from consideration, Colorado Rockies’ assistant general manager Bill Geivett was thought to be a lead candidate, but Luhnow got the job. Luhnow previously served as the Cardinals’ VP of player procurement, and before that he was the VP of scouting and player development. 

Back in 2009, Luhnow sat down for an interview with SB Nation’s MLB blog, Beyond the Boxscore, and gave some insights as to how he approaches drafting ans scouting major league talent: 

We rely on many sources of information for all player types. The basis of all our decisions is and will always be the scouting reports we get from our scouts. When we have quality information available in the way of performance histories, we certainly use it to shape our decisions. Of course, the quality of performance data from Division 1 college programs is very good and we recognize it is a strong predictor of performance in professional baseball. We have a sophisticated method of adjusting for quality of competition, ballparks, and other factors that may influence the results. When we move from D-1 to other college levels, junior colleges, summer leagues, and high school leagues, the information becomes less predictive and therefore less useful. We look at if, of course, but the scouting opinions will quickly trump the performance information if there is a conflict.

The Houston Chronicle quoted from a prepared statement crafted by the Astros regarding the move:

The Astros strive to develop one of the best systems in baseball and create a consistent winner at the Major League level. Jeff has the knowledge, skills and experience to lead the baseball operations efforts at all levels and help the Astros achieve this vision. Jeff has a demonstrated the ability to inspire and motivate staff in the front office and out in the field

A press conference is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Cardinals be sure to visit Viva El Birdos. For more on the Astros visit Crawfish Boxes. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

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The Houston Astros have hired Jeff Luhnow as their new general manager, hoping he can help rebuild a team that finished with the worst record in the major leagues.

The Astros announced the move Wednesday night at baseball’s winter meetings. Luhnow takes over for Ed Wade, fired along with team president Tal Smith last month in the first major changes by new owner Jim Crane.

The 45-year-old Luhnow had been a vice president with the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003. He has overseen the Cardinals’ drafts for several years.

Houston went 56-106 last season.

The Astros became the seventh of the 30 major league teams to hire a new general manager or head of baseball operations since the end of the season.

DALLAS (AP) — The Houston Astros have hired Jeff Luhnow as their new general manager, hoping he can help rebuild a team that finished with the worst record in the major leagues.

The Astros announced the move Wednesday night at baseball’s winter meetings. Luhnow takes over for Ed Wade, fired along with team president Tal Smith last month in the first major changes by new owner Jim Crane.

The 45-year-old Luhnow had been a vice president with the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003. He has overseen the Cardinals’ drafts for several years.

Houston went 56-106 last season.

The Astros became the seventh of the 30 major league teams to hire a new general manager or head of baseball operations since the end of the season.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DALLAS – The Houston Astros have named Jeff Luhnow their new general manager. The position had been vacated since Ed Wade was fired following the sale of the team to Jim Crane.

He will be introduced by Crane on Thursday at Minute Maid Park.

“We are very pleased to have Jeff as the new General Manager of the Houston Astros,” Astros president and CEO George Postolos said. “Jeff is the perfect fit for the Astros because of his track record in scouting and player development during his eight-plus seasons with the Cardinals.

Luhnow, 45, has served as a vice president with St Louis Cardinals since 2003, most recently serving as V.P. of Scouting and Player Development. He has overseen the Cardinals amateur draft since 2005, and his drafts have been widely recognized as among the most productive across baseball.

He added player development to his responsibilities in 2006 and in 2010 the Cardinals had the best system record in baseball with five minor league championships from the rookie leagues to Triple-A.

“The Astros strive to develop one of the best systems in baseball and create a consistent winner at the Major League level,” Postolos added. “Jeff has the knowledge, skills and experience to lead the baseball operations efforts at all levels and help the Astros achieve this vision. Jeff has a demonstrated the ability to inspire and motivate staff in the front office and out in the field. He was born and raised in Mexico and his bicultural background will be an asset in recruiting players from Latin America and developing the Hispanic market for Los Astros.”

Luhnow inherits a team that had just one winning season under his predecessor and went a woeful 56-106 in the 2011 campaign.

HOUSTON – The Houston Astros announced late Wednesday night they have hired Jeff Luhnow as their new general manager.

Luhnow has been the St. Louis Cardinals vice president of scouting and player development.

He replaces Ed Wade who was dismissed last month.

The team’s announcement was made by Astros president and CEO George Postolos in a statement released by the club.

Astros owner Jim Crane will make the formal announcement during a news conference at Minute Maid Park on Thursday.

“We are very pleased to have Jeff as the new General Manager of the Houston Astros,” Postolos said. “Jeff is the perfect fit for the Astros because of his track record in scouting and player development during his eight-plus seasons with the Cardinals.

“The Astros strive to develop one of the best systems in baseball and create a consistent winner at the Major League level. Jeff has the knowledge, skills and experience to lead the baseball operations efforts at all levels and help the Astros achieve this vision.

“Jeff has a demonstrated the ability to inspire and motivate staff in the front office and out in the field. He was born and raised in Mexico and his bicultural background will be an asset in recruiting players from Latin America and developing the Hispanic market for Los Astros.”

Luhnow, 45, has been a Vice President with the St Louis Cardinals since 2003, most recently serving as vice president of scouting and player development.

He has overseen the Cardinals amateur draft since 2005, and according to the Astros’ statement  his drafts have been widely recognized as among the most productive across baseball.

In 2006 Luhnow  added player development to his responsibilities and was instrumental in the organization’s minor league successes since that time, which inlcudes  the best system record in baseball in 2010 and five minor league championships from the rookie leagues to AAA.

Luhnow has overseen the Cardinals’ scouting and development efforts in Latin America since 2004 that has produced Major League players and several top prospects.

During his time with the Cardinals, the organization built and maintained a strong farm system, while at the same time winning at all levels, including three World Series appearances and two World Championships.