Houston Astros Add Three Players on the Final Day of the Winter Meetings

The final day of Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings proved to be an active one for the Houston Astros. The Astros selected two players in the Major League Phase of the Rule 5 Draft and re-acquired a pitcher on waivers.

As the team with the worst record in the majors, the Astros received the first selection in both rounds of the Rule 5 Draft. Their first selection was pitcher Josh Fields from the Red Sox and the second selection was first baseman Nate Freiman from the San Diego Padres.

Fields pitched in both AA and AAA for the Red Sox last season. He went 4-3 with 2.01 ERA in 42 relief appearances at AAA Pawtucket. The 27 year-old right-hander could be used in the back of the Astros bullpen next season, as closer Wilton Lopez was traded to the Colorado Rockies.

Freiman, 25, played last season at AA San Antonio for the Padres. He's an imposing presence on their field, 6'7" tall, and hits with power from the right side. Last year he hit .298 with 24 home runs and 105 RBI. Freiman is expected to play at both DH and first base in 2013. He could be used in a platoon situation with the left handed-hitting Brett Wallace at first base.

Per MLB rules, both Rule 5 draft picks have to remain on the Astros 25-man roster for the 2013 season, or be offered back to their original teams.

The Astros final major league acquisition today was off of waivers. The Astros claimed right-handed pitcher Mickey Storey (pictured) from the Yankees. Storey spent time in both AAA and the majors in 2012; making his MLB debut with the Astros in August. Last year he posted an 0-1 record with a 3.86 ERA in 26 relief appearances.