Astros Sign Everett, Lane, and Ensberg

Everett, Lane, and Ensberg. Doesn’t that sound like a law firm? Adam Everett would make a great defense attorney. Get it? Hah, I crack myself up sometimes. Other times, not so much.

Anyway, the Astros have signed these three guys to 1-year deals. Everett’s is worth $2.8 million plus incentives, Jason Lane’s is worth $1.05 million, and Morgan Ensberg’s is worth $4.35 million.

Everett is a terrible hitter — .239/.290/.352 while playing half his games at Minute Maid borders on criminal — but plays tremendous defense. His range factor is consistently above league average, and last year he committed just seven errors.

Lane is a guy I once thought could be a starting outfielder in the big leagues, and it may yet happen. Right now, though, he’s a very streaky hitter who occasionally knocks a pitch out of the park. If Lane had gotten an earlier start to his major-league career, I’d say he had a shot at becoming Kevin Mench, but even that’s not much to aspire to, is it?

Ensberg hits, hits for power, draws walks, and plays a solid third base. The only thing he doesn’t do particularly well is stay healthy. He’s 31 years old, so there’s not a lot of upside, but that’s nitpicking. If he can stay in the lineup, Ensberg should hit .280 with 30+ homers and 80+ walks. I’ll take a guy like that on my team any day of the week.