The Houston Astros continue to be active on the free agent market as they inquire about a number of players, with the latest being an infielder. And let's not forget free agency extends beyond Major League Baseball.
While the Astros wait for prospect Carlos Correa to hit the majors, they're apparently looking for another shortstop to join the team in 2015. That happens to be Stephen Drew, as Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports the Astros have met with his agent, Scott Boras, at the winter meetings. Signing Drew would perhaps be a depth move since the team has Jose Altuve (NL Batting Champion) at second base and Marwin Gonzalez (.277 average in 103 games) at shortstop.
Despite Drew's awful 2014 campaign, during which he batted .162 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs in 85 games with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, he still remains a solid free-agent option. Drew owns a career stat line of .256/.322/.425/.747 with 97 home runs and 442 RBIs and a fielding percentage of .979 in nine MLB seasons. The addition of Drew, 31, would provide depth and experience for a young Astros team.
As the free agent market is beginning to become clearer, left-hander Wade LeBlanc finally signed with a team. That team is called the Seibu Lions and they play in Japan's Pacific League. LeBlanc spent most of the 2013 season with the Los Angeles Angels after he declined his assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre by the New York Yankees earlier in the year.
He made three starts and was 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.36 WHIP and added eight relief appearances with a 4.02 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. He helped Los Angeles Down the stretch when their starting rotation was hit with a bunch of injuries, but the team non-tendered him earlier in the month and he became a free agent. The left-hander will now head over to Japan and start his career overseas after spending seven years in the MLB with the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, Yankees and Angels.
Former big leaguer Jeremy Hermida is also going to play in Japan as of today after signing with the Nippon Ham Fighters.
