Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros have “talked to” free agent left-hander Randy Choate, who spent the past three seasons with the Cardinals.
Tony Sipp is slated to be Houston’s primary lefty setup man after re-signing for $18 million over three years, but Choate has always been purely a southpaw special anyway and last year he logged a grand total of just 27 innings despite appearing in 71 games.
Choate has held left-handed hitters to a .195 batting average for his career and posted an 18/3 K/BB ratio versus lefties last season, so even age 40 he can still get that very limited job done if used correctly. Whether the Astros want to devote a roster spot to someone who might only pitch 25 innings all season is unclear, as is whether Choate would require more than a minor-league deal at this stage of his career.
