Houston, TX – The Houston Astros acquired infielder Chris Carter, pitcher Brad Peacock and catcher Max Stassi from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for shortstop Jed Lowrie and pitcher Fernando Rodriguez on Monday.
"This trade gives us power, pitching and catching," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "Three valuable commodities that will help improve our organization."
Houston is coming off a franchise-worst 55-107 record which preceded their move from the National League into the American League for the 2013 season.
Bothered by wrist and hand injuries, Lowrie hit just .244 with 16 home runs, 18 doubles and 42 RBI in 97 games last year.
Rodriguez struggled to a 2-10 record with a 5.37 earned run average in 70 1/3 innings over 71 appearances in 2012.
Carter, a right-handed hitter, batted .239 with career highs in homers (16), doubles (12), walks (39) and RBI (39) in 67 games for the AL West champion A's last season.
Peacock went 12-9 with a 6.01 ERA in 28 games (25 starts) for Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League.
Stassi, 21, belted 15 homers and drove in 45 in 84 games for Single-A Stockton.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.