Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow wasted little time in filling his new team's top offseason need, pulling off his first trade Wednesday, acquiring shortstop Jed Lowrie and pitcher Kyle Weiland from the Red Sox in exchange for reliever Mark Melancon.

Lowrie, a switch-hitter who has been injured often in his four-year Major League career, will become the Astros' starter at shortstop to replace Clint Barmes, who signed with the Pirates after one year in Houston. The move to the Astros gives Lowrie a chance to reunite with manager Brad Mills, who was Lowrie's bench coach with the Red Sox for two years.

"I'm excited," Lowrie said. "It's a great opportunity to reunite with Brad in Houston. I really enjoyed my time with him in Boston, and I'm looking forward to a great opportunity in Houston."

I believe this is a great trade. Houston gets what I consider an upgrade at SS plus a pitcher that actually has an upside.

Lowire is an ok player. Doesn't provide much offense and doesn't get on base a lot.

I do like Kyle Weiland. His ERA was a bit high in his few starts are the major league level, but had pretty good numbers in AAA last year, having a 8-10 record with a 3.58 ERA, and a 8.8 K/9.

I didn't care for Barmes, so I feel Lowrie is an upgrade with a free pitcher thrown in. Heck, I'm the only Astro's fan on here for a team that lost 106 games, I gotta try to be happy about something. I'm not getting any younger.

I feel ya. When the Tigers lost 119 games I felt the same way.