Stros cutting cost - Valverde...

If nothing else; if the Astros actively shop closer Jose Valverde it will assure the Mets of obtaining a closer and more then likely the closer they want. At this point there are more closers on the market then teams looking for one and the Mets appear to be the only Big market team in the hunt. Aside from us the Indians, Angels, Cardinals and Tigers are definitely looking for a closer, if the Cubs aren't satisfied with Marmol & Gregg you could add them and the Rangers are always a wild card. Then you have smaller markets who could be looking for a discount player like the Padres, A's and Nats. But for the top tier closers their aren't many places to go and the clubs aren't helping as there seem to be at least three closers available via trade......

Last week Peter Gammons suggested that the Mets could go after Jose Valverde and I completed a post on him including a bio at that time. Now Jason Starke's in his latest article which covers every teams needs and wants, he also suggests the Astros could move Valverde to save money. I'm unclear whether the Astros have an alternative waiting in the wings or they would then join the closers market for someone cheaper then Valverde's arbitration cost.....

The Astros are actually trying to move money (Jose Valverde? Miguel Tejada?), so you won't find this team making any $100-million signings this winter. source ESPN