A look at moves and throughout the majors.
-P- The Astros have signed former Bucs reliever Jose Veras to a one-year deal worth $1.85 million, with a $3.25 million option. I think this is a pretty nifty buy-low opportunity with the Astros, although I admit my optimism about Veras is probably irrational. It's just tough not to get excited about the chance to add a reliever for less than $2 million who strikes out 79 batters in 67 innings. Veras still has an excellent fastball and a tremendous curveball, but no real idea where either one is going.
-P- The Red Sox have agreed to terms with Ryan Dempster on a two-year deal worth $26.5 million. Dempster's velocity dropped last year, and that's something to watch in the future. But he still managed to post 3.7 wins above replacement, and his peripherals have been very consistent over the past five years.
-P- Yahoo! ranks the sexiest general managers in baseball. Neal Huntington is in the top 10. So ... there's that.
-P- And also there's this!