6 Astros players clear waivers, 5 become free agents

The Astros have announced that six players have cleared waivers and five of them will become free agents.Those players are Fernando Abad, Sergio Escalona, Edgar Gonzalez, Jose Valdez, Kyle Weiland and Matt Downs. Everyone will become a free agent expect Kyle Weiland, who has been sent down to Triple-A.

Abad posted a 5.09 ERA in 37 appearances for Houston last season. Escalona last appeared in the major leagues in 2011, posting a 2.93 ERA in 49 appearances. Gonzalez posted a 5.04 ERA in 6 appearances with Houston in 2012. Valdez posted a 2.25 ERA in 12 relief appearances for Houston. Wieland posted a 6.62 ERA in three starts with the Astros before undergoing Tommy John surgery in the Spring. Downs hit .202 with 8 home runs in 191 plate appearances with the Astros in 2012.

Analysis: Hmm. Most of these players are just ALRIGHT and I doubt that the Astros will miss them. Yet again, some of them will probably be re-signed on minor league deals.