Astros, Lowrie avoid arbitration: The Astros and SS Jed Lowrie avoided arbitration on Wednesday by agreeing on a one-year, $1.5 million deal. Lowrie, who was acquired from the Red Sox this offseason, batted .252 with six homers and 36 RBI last season. (Updated 02/08/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Lowrie is capable of playing anywhere on the infield, so the Astros could always stick him at third base if they decide they want a better fielder at shortstop. You have to believe they acquired him to play him, though. Lowrie has the upside to be one of the better offensive shortstops in the game, as he showed by producing a .907 OPS during a shortened 2010 season. He got off to a great start last season as well but struggled as he attempted to play through a shoulder injury that he suffered in late May. His propensity for injury makes him less than a sure thing in Fantasy, but with this trade, Lowrie is back to being an excellent late-round sleeper in mixed leagues. (Updated 02/08/2012).
02/10/2012 09:03 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox didn't make much noise this winter after a disasterous end to their 2011 season. Our Al Melchior examines the revamped roster for owners in advance of Draft Day.
02/08/2012 04:32 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Houston Astros
To say the Houston Astros are rebuilding is an understatement, but they have more than a few surprises in the form of young talent. Michael Hurcomb breaks down the American League-bound franchise in his Fantasy team outlook.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
Jed Lowrie got off to a solid start in 2011 and even became a regular for the Red Sox at one point. He batted .361 with a .583 slugging percentage through his first 22 games and hit three home runs with 12 RBI during that stretch. His hitting would slow down after that and a shoulder injury in June landed him on the DL for an extended period of time. He returned in August but hit just .221 over his final 33 games to finish the year with a .252 average. Lowrie was traded to the Astros in the offseason and will likely start at either shortstop or third base. He had the potential to hit 20 homers with a full season of at-bats and has shown in the past that he can keep his average respectable. The 27-year-old will not be surrounded by much talent in Houston but since he is expected to see every-day at-bats, consider Lowrie a late-round pick in mixed leagues on Draft Day. (Updated 1/9/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
