Astors/Blum Reach Agreement

[love_that_reefer]

The Astros and Geoff Blum have reportedly reached an agreement on a contract. No word yet on whether it's for one or two years. Blum isn't the second baseman the Astros want, but he can serve as a backup throughout the infield. The Astros still figure to attempt to find a veteran alternative to Chris Burke. The Blum acquisition would seem to be a strong indication that they won't re-sign Mark Loretta.

Are they still going to keep Mike Lamb around is a better question to ask. Astros first moves this offseason are not good signs of things to come.

[love_that_reefer]

Astros signed infielder Geoff Blum, who had been with the Padres, to a one-year, $1.1 million contract with an option for 2009. Blum was the same player as always last year, but after signing him to one-year deals three straight seasons, the Padres didn't want him back, suggesting that something happened behind the scenes. Much like the Astros had a brighter future before making Ed Wade their GM, Blum was a better fit for Houston before the reported agreement with Kaz Matsui. Like Matsui, Blum is a switch-hitter who fares better from the left side of the plate. If the Astros are going to trade Chris Burke, it'd make more sense to employ a right-handed-hitting utilityman to platoon with Matsui.

Blum is a good utility guy. Wonder if there was some tension between Blum and the Padres.