July 2012 - Houston Astros Wiretap

Ed Wade, former general manager of the Phillies and Astros, earned a journalism degree at Temple University.

No longer running a front office, Wade used his time to write a book.

The novel, self-published on Kindle, is a page-turning mystery involving Navy SEALS, skydiving and geopolitics.

Delayed Honor encompasses many of his off-field interests. He's personally logged 41 jumps. His son, Ryan, graduated from the United States Naval Academy.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said in a text Saturday that the team is not in "active discussions at this time with free agents."

Luhnow was responding to a question about Jose Lopez, who told reporters at a press conference in Venezuela he was closing to signing with Houston.

The Blue Jays have claimed Mickey Storey off waivers from the Astros.

Storey, 26, made his major league debut in 2012, appearing in 26 games and posting a 0-1 record with a 3.86 ERA out of the bullpen for Houston.

The Astros have traded minor leaguer Rob Rasmussen to the Dodgers for John Ely.

Ely spent most of last season with Triple-A Albuquerque, where he went 14-7 with a 3.20 ERA in 27 starts.

The Astros will sign Jose Veras to a one-year deal worth $1.85 million with a vesting option worth $3.25 million for 2014.

Veras is a very good strikeout pitcher, averaging 10.6 Ks per nine innings last season and 9.4 K/9 in his seven year career.

The Astros won't trade Jed Lowrie unless they are overwhelmed by an offer.

They have, however, talked to teams about Bud Norris.

The Astros have agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.9 million deal with Carlos Pena.

Pena is expected to share the first base and designated hitter spots with Brett Wallace.

The Cubs shopped Alfonso Soriano to the Astros as a potential designated hitter.

Houston is moving to the American League for the 2013 season.

However, the Astros didn't have enough money to pay Soriano's salary, even with Chicago kicking in quite a bit.

The Dodgers already have more than $210 million committed to their payroll for the 2013 season.

Meanwhile, the Astros have spent just $800,000 on their roster thus far.

Major League Baseball's average salary increased 3.8 percent this year to a record $3.2 million.

According to final figures released Friday by the Major League Baseball Players Association, the rise was the steepest since 2007.

The boost was helped by an increase in the minimum salary from $414,000 to $480,000.