Bill Hall Is Coming to Texas

The Houston Astros have officially signed Bill Hall. Luckily it’s only a one year contract. Hall will make $3.25 million this season with a mutual option for 2012. He’ll will most likely open 2011 as the everyday second baseman for the Astros over incumbent Jeff Keppinger. Hall has a chance to lead the team in homeruns, however he also has a chance (a much better chance, and in fact, a likely one) he’ll hit .233 with a .297 OBP. Which is exactly what he has hit over the past 4 seasons. Is a sub-.300 OBP worth 20+ homeruns? I’ll guess we’ll find out. The former Brewer has good pop, plays average or slightly better defense at second base, and can play all over the field. He’ll most likely also see time at third and left field. The signing is already sending ripples through the major league roster.

The latest rumor, intensified by the Hall signing, says the Yankees are interested in acquiring Jeff Keppinger for their bench. I’ll be sad to see Keppinger go. He’s not an all-star and probably won’t turn into one but he led the 2010 Astros in AVG and OBP. Whether or not Kep is traded and what the Astros receive for the veteran will determine the verdict of the Bill Hall signing.