Anderson to the Dodgers, Lowrie to the Astros

A couple of significant free agent deals have come down this afternoon...

30 year old free agent infielder Jed Lowrie has signed a 3 year deal with the Houston Astros worth $23 million.  Lowrie, a first round pick of the Red Sox in 2005, has had issues in his career staying healthy, but has been a pretty decent bat-first shortstop when he has been on the field.  Lowrie has spent the past two seasons in Oakland, having been acquired by the A's prior to the 2013 season for Chris Carter, Brad Peacock and Max Stassi.  Lowrie will presumably become the Astros' everyday shortstop.

In addition, free agent lefthander Brett Anderson -- who is still just 26 years old -- has signed a one year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $10 million, with another $4 million in possible incentives.

Anderson was identified as someone the Rangers might pursue, but this deal is significant more than what it was expected he would command -- Jon Heyman's free agent prediction column had three different prognosticators agree he would get one year, but for $5-7M, not $10-14M.

Anderson has a total of 123 innings pitched over the past three seasons.  He is reunited with former A's teammate Brandon McCarthy, was the Dodgers signed last week for $48 million over four years.