An Inside Look at Astros Offseason Through Luhnow’s Eyes

Luhnow on…Jed Lowrie

Jul 23, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Jed Lowrie (8) is greeted by third base coach

(2) after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Houston Astros at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros first expressed interest in Jed Lowrie right after the season ended.  Luhnow wanted to add one or more bats to the infield. “Jed’s agent was A.J. Hinch’s best man, and Jed and I are friends…and he lives in Houston.” Luhnow said that Jed was very aware of what his value was, and while the deal took a long time, they worked together to get a mutual deal done. Luhnow was excited because the Luhnow’s and Lowrie’s are close friends, the wives text each other all the time.

“It takes three years to get a player like Jed”-Jeff Luhnow.

Why give Lowrie a three-year deal when you have Carlos Correa knocking on the door? “It takes three years to get a player like Jed who is a free agent for the first time” Luhnow said. “Quite frankly, 3-years from now if Jed is the super utility player on a playoff team, that’s pretty good.”

“Quite frankly, 3-years from now if Jed is the super utility player on a playoff team, that’s pretty good.”-Jeff Luhnow.

Lowrie will be the starter now, but when the super prospects Carlos Correa and Colin Moran arrive, Lowrie will still have a place on a good team similar to a player like Marco Scutaro. When Correa and Moran are ready, they will not be blocked by Lowrie or Valbuena.

Next: Luhnow on...Evan Gattis and James Hoyt