Ultimate Astros » Sections » Levine and Campbell

Astros prepare string of spring events for fans

Zachary Levine — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:58:52 +0000

Before any real opening day or even Grapefruit League opening day, the Astros will have an unofficial opening weekend, doing everything in their power to turn on baseball season in Houston.

Notes from Astros caravan: Jed Lowrie, J.D. Martinez, Luhnow in the Dominican

Zachary Levine — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:13:29 +0000

The Astros had a bilingual caravan stop Thursday morning, reading baseball stories to little ones in both English (Brad Mills, J.D. Martinez, Jed Lowrie) and Spanish (Alex Treviño and, though he admits he doesn’t look the part, Jeff Luhnow, who grew up in Mexico City). A few notes from what was Lowrie’s first time in [...]

Astros, Lowrie avoid arbitration with one-year deal

Zachary Levine — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:28:53 +0000

The Astros will not go to arbitration this year as shortstop Jed Lowrie has agreed to a one-year deal worth a base salary of $1.15 million plus performance and award bonuses, according to his agent.

Astros give Wallace a shot at third base, his original position

Zachary Levine — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:05:45 +0000

With Carlos Lee established at first base, the Astros are giving Brett Wallace a chance to make the team with a move to third base, his original position.

Astros sign ex-Aggie Ruggiano, offer spring invites to five top prospects

Steve Campbell — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:42:46 +0000

The Astros added another outfielder with major-league experience and offered five of their most promising prospects invitations to spring training.

Astros minicamp to feature seven top pitching prospects, plus minor league injury notes

Zachary Levine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:07:39 +0000

Seven of the Astros’ top pitching prospects will take part in a scaled-down version of minicamp this year. Jake Buchanan Jarred Cosart Mike Foltynewicz Brett Oberholtzer Ross Seaton Jason Stoffel Josh Zeid The seven are mostly older prospects and intentionally include none of the arms selected in the 2011 draft. The Astros will also bring [...]

Sanchez clears waivers, agrees to minor-league deal with Astros

Steve Campbell — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:26:11 +0000

Angel Sanchez, the 2010 Opening Day shortstop who lost his spot on the 40-man roster, cleared waivers and agreed Wednesday to a minor-league deal with the Astros that includes a non-roster invitation to spring training.

Luhnow comfortable with shortstop depth as roster nears final form

Zachary Levine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:26:29 +0000

What the roster lacks in star power — a lot, coming off a franchise-worst 106-loss season — it begins to compensate for in depth.

Astros bring in veteran Livan Hernandez on minor league deal

Zachary Levine — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:54:21 +0000

The Astros added to their stable of starting pitching candidates, signing veteran righthander Livan Hernandez on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, general manager Jeff Luhnow said. Hernandez, a 36-year-old native of Cuba, has pitched 16 seasons in the big leagues, the last 2½ in Washington, where he compiled a 4.41 [...]

What’s in a (nick)name? Here are the best ones in Astros (and Colt .45s) history

Steve Campbell — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:04:22 +0000

Like a lot of things in this world, nicknames aren’t what they used to be.

Astros take a flier on former All-Star pitcher Duke

Steve Campbell — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:03:21 +0000

The risk is low, which may or may not correspond with the potential rewards the Astros can reap by signing former All-Star pitcher Zach Duke to a minor-league contract. Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow announced on Friday the signing of Duke, a native Texan who also received an invitation to spring training. Duke, 28, is [...]

Best individual seasons in Astros history? The envelopes, please

Steve Campbell — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:06:45 +0000

As the Astros prepare for their 50th anniversary season, let’s look at their greatest individual performances by position:

Astros’ move is to league of free spenders

Zachary Levine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:04:16 +0000

A National League team probably never would have pulled the Prince Fielder deal that the Tigers did yesterday, and if you’re wondering why Jim Crane wanted and received a purchase price discount with the Astros’ 2013 move to the American League, that’s it. Fielder is worth more to the Tigers, just like Albert Pujols was worth [...]

Hurricanes? Buffs? Vast majority votes to retain Astros as team name

Zachary Levine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:47:52 +0000

For one day — and certainly an oddly timed day given the Texans hangover, the Rockets’ seven-game winning streak and just the simple fact it’s January — Houston was a baseball town again.

Why should discussing an Astros name change be taboo?

Steve Campbell — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:11:14 +0000

Astros owner Jim Crane veered off message just a wee bit.