The Oakland Athletics inquired on Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie
earlier this offseason, but the team balked at Houston’s asking price,
according to Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle.
Before signing Nakajima, the A's had talks with Houston about former Stanford infielder Jed Lowrie, but the Astros’ asking price for the shortstop was too high.
The Astros were interested in first baseman and designated
hitter Chris Carter as well as one of the A’s young starting pitchers,
according to Slusser.
After checking in on Lowrie, the A’s decided to sign
international free agent and shortstop Hiro Nakajima. Slusser notes that
Oakland could eventually revisit Lowrie if there is an injury or should they
need help elsewhere in the infield.
The Astros acquired Lowrie last offseason from the Boston
Red Sox along with Kyle Weiland in the Mark Melancon trade. The shortstop got
off to a hot start in 2012, but he dealt with injuries throughout the season
and ended the year hitting .244/.331/.438 with 18 doubles and 16 home runs.
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