Astros: Jeff Luhnow departs Winter Meetings empty-handed

The Winter Meetings wrap up today with the Rule 5 Draft and Astros’ GM Jeff Luhnow will be leaving Las Vegas today with no deal in hand.

With the completion of the Rule 5 Draft today, the Winter Meetings will have come and gone. By normal standards, this year’s gathering of MLB executives and owners went by quietly. Like most general managers and owners, Astros’ GM Luhnow will board his plane home today with no new contracts, big or small.

By many, the expectations were high that teams would be wheeling and dealing some big-name players this year. After all, the meetings were held in the hometown of none other than Bryce Harper, probably the biggest and most talked about prize going into the weekend. Yes, a few transactions took place, Charlie Morton left Houston for Tampa Bay, the Phillies signed Andrew McCutchen and the White Sox picked up Ivan Nova. But nothing that shook the ground in Vegas.

"“I think this seems like the lowest transaction volume I ever witnessed in my Winter Meetings history, but I think all it means is there’s going to be more after the Winter Meetings,” he said. Jeff Luhnow via Brian McTaggart of MLB.com"

That’s not saying that Luhnow didn’t have a hand in a few dealings. He anted up and put some chips on the table, in his effort to make a trade or two. A few free agents were offered contracts, Morton included, but unfortunately, no dice.

But Astros fans need not worry, Jeff Luhnow isn’t done. The plans remain for Houston to seek a starting pitcher or a batter to beef up the offense, maybe a DH or an outfielder. Who knows, maybe even a catcher is still on the radar or dare I say, “Bryce Harper”. The offseason is young and there are still plenty of names available like Zack Greinke, Corey Kluber and Nelson Cruz.

The Winter Meetings in Las Vegas may be over, but there are too many prizes left in the pot for the game to end. There are still plenty of hands still to be dealt and Luhnow has just started playing. Stay tuned.