Nomar, White draw interest from Astros
Dec. 14, 2005
Not long after signing catcher Brad Ausmus and infielder Mike Lamb to contracts Tuesday, the Astros met with free-agent outfielder Rondell White and expressed interest in two-time American League batting champion Nomar Garciaparra.
Astros owner Drayton McLane confirmed Tuesday that he and club president Tal Smith, general manager Tim Purpura and manager Phil Garner visited with White and his wife at Minute Maid Park.
"He was in town, and we had a very good discussion with him, and we'll see where that leaves us," said McLane, who confirmed the club's interest in free-agent shortstop Garciaparra.
Garciaparra, who won a pair of batting titles with Boston, spent most of last season on the disabled list with the Chicago Cubs. The Astros have had discussions with Garciaparra's agent Arn Tellem, who didn't return a phone message Tuesday.
Garciaparra, 32, is a career .320 hitter who appeared in only 62 games last season because of a severe groin injury, batting .283 with nine homers and 30 RBIs. The New York Yankees also are reportedly interested in Garciaparra, who is married to former U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm.
White, 33, has a .289 career average with 187 home runs in 13 seasons with Montreal, the Cubs, Yankees, San Diego Padres, Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers. He played in only 97 games for the Tigers last year after dislocating his shoulder Aug. 14 and hit .313 with 12 homers and 53 RBIs.
White, who also has been contacted by Minnesota and Baltimore, is a left fielder, and Garciaparra is athletic enough to play left field. Both would satisfy the Astros' need for a righthanded bat.
Purpura wouldn't comment on specific free agents.
"If there's an offensive player out there we feel would fit with this ballclub, we've inquired about him," he said.
Meanwhile, the Astros re-signed Ausmus to a two-year deal worth $7.5 million and Lamb to a one-year deal worth $1.7 million.
Both of the contracts have incentives.
Ausmus, who lives in San Diego in the offseason, was offered a contract by the Padres but decided to return to the Astros.
"All the while my heart was telling me to go back to Houston," Ausmus said. "I think the logical choice would have been to come to San Diego because it's easier on my family, especially on my children being in school and less travel for them.
"But they kind of came over to my side, and I didn't really see a reason not to go back to Houston."
Ausmus, 36, hit .258 last season and led all National League catchers in hits after the All-Star break while helping the Astros reach the World Series.
The Astros made re-signing Ausmus a priority this offseason instead of pursuing free-agent catchers Ramon Hernandez or Bengie Molina.
"I think he's one of those types of players that you can't really appreciate him from the numbers," Purpura said.
Ausmus spent the past two seasons catching Roger Clemens and would like to see Clemens return to the Astros, who didn't offer him arbitration and can't sign him until May 1.
"I've been exchanging messages with him and let him know it wouldn't bother me if he waits to May 1, just as long as he's back," Ausmus said.
Lamb hit .236 last season with 12 homers and 53 RBIs in 125 games, mostly at first base.
"I'm happy that something got done, because I'm comfortable there, and I know that Phil likes me, and I know I'm going to get a chance to contribute," Lamb said.
The signing of Lamb leaves the Astros with five remaining arbitration-eligible players — closer Brad Lidge, third baseman Morgan Ensberg, shortstop Adam Everett, reliever Dan Wheeler and backup catcher Raul Chavez.
Source: http://www.chron.com/
Not long after signing catcher Brad Ausmus and infielder Mike Lamb to contracts Tuesday, the Astros met with free-agent outfielder Rondell White and expressed interest in two-time American League batting champion Nomar Garciaparra.
Astros owner Drayton McLane confirmed Tuesday that he and club president Tal Smith, general manager Tim Purpura and manager Phil Garner visited with White and his wife at Minute Maid Park.
"He was in town, and we had a very good discussion with him, and we'll see where that leaves us," said McLane, who confirmed the club's interest in free-agent shortstop Garciaparra.
Garciaparra, who won a pair of batting titles with Boston, spent most of last season on the disabled list with the Chicago Cubs. The Astros have had discussions with Garciaparra's agent Arn Tellem, who didn't return a phone message Tuesday.
Garciaparra, 32, is a career .320 hitter who appeared in only 62 games last season because of a severe groin injury, batting .283 with nine homers and 30 RBIs. The New York Yankees also are reportedly interested in Garciaparra, who is married to former U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm.
White, 33, has a .289 career average with 187 home runs in 13 seasons with Montreal, the Cubs, Yankees, San Diego Padres, Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers. He played in only 97 games for the Tigers last year after dislocating his shoulder Aug. 14 and hit .313 with 12 homers and 53 RBIs.
White, who also has been contacted by Minnesota and Baltimore, is a left fielder, and Garciaparra is athletic enough to play left field. Both would satisfy the Astros' need for a righthanded bat.
Purpura wouldn't comment on specific free agents.
"If there's an offensive player out there we feel would fit with this ballclub, we've inquired about him," he said.
Meanwhile, the Astros re-signed Ausmus to a two-year deal worth $7.5 million and Lamb to a one-year deal worth $1.7 million.
Both of the contracts have incentives.
Ausmus, who lives in San Diego in the offseason, was offered a contract by the Padres but decided to return to the Astros.
"All the while my heart was telling me to go back to Houston," Ausmus said. "I think the logical choice would have been to come to San Diego because it's easier on my family, especially on my children being in school and less travel for them.
"But they kind of came over to my side, and I didn't really see a reason not to go back to Houston."
Ausmus, 36, hit .258 last season and led all National League catchers in hits after the All-Star break while helping the Astros reach the World Series.
The Astros made re-signing Ausmus a priority this offseason instead of pursuing free-agent catchers Ramon Hernandez or Bengie Molina.
"I think he's one of those types of players that you can't really appreciate him from the numbers," Purpura said.
Ausmus spent the past two seasons catching Roger Clemens and would like to see Clemens return to the Astros, who didn't offer him arbitration and can't sign him until May 1.
"I've been exchanging messages with him and let him know it wouldn't bother me if he waits to May 1, just as long as he's back," Ausmus said.
Lamb hit .236 last season with 12 homers and 53 RBIs in 125 games, mostly at first base.
"I'm happy that something got done, because I'm comfortable there, and I know that Phil likes me, and I know I'm going to get a chance to contribute," Lamb said.
The signing of Lamb leaves the Astros with five remaining arbitration-eligible players — closer Brad Lidge, third baseman Morgan Ensberg, shortstop Adam Everett, reliever Dan Wheeler and backup catcher Raul Chavez.
Source: http://www.chron.com/
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