Carlos Lee is still considering retirement after the 2012 season.

Lee might choose to hang up his cleats, but Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle said the veteran "sounded intrigued" by the idea of potentially being the Astros' designated hitter in 2013 when they move to the American League. Lee will earn $18.5 million in the final season of his contract.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that Carlos Lee "has not been receptive to waiving his no-trade clauses."

The Astros would love to unload some of Lee's salary, but as a 10-5 player, he would have to approve any deal. So far it doesn't appear that Houston has had any substantive trade talks with anyone regarding the 35-year-old even though they're reportedly willing to eat half or maybe more of his $18.5 million salary. The Tigers could potentially be a fit.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Astros and Tigers have yet to discuss in depth a trade involving Carlos Lee.

Lee has been speculated as a possible replacement for the injured Victor Martinez, but it sounds like he's not a real option for them, or at least isn't at this time. There are a handful of DH options like Vladimir Guerrero, Raul Ibanez and Johnny Damon that could appeal to Detroit, or they could just wind up sticking Delmon Young in the role and making Ryan Raburn their everyday left fielder.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Rays discussed a trade for Carlos Lee but ultimately decided the money was too much to take on, even with the Astros eating a big chunk of it.

Cafardo says the conversations were brief, so it doesn't appear a deal was ever close to going down. The Rays have already signed Luke Scott to be their designated hitter, which is where they'd likely have wanted to slot Lee. Cafardo says there are a few other teams in the mix for Lee, who is owed $18.5 million in the final year of his contract.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Astros are hearing from a few teams on Carlos Lee, but that no deal is close.

Morosi speculates that Lee would be an excellent fit for the Indians, though it's not clear if they are legitimately interested. The 35-year-old batted .275/.342/.446 with 18 homers, 94 RBI and a .788 OPS last season and is under contract for $18.5 million in 2012 as part of the final year of his six-year, $100 million deal. The Astros would likely have to eat a significant part of his salary in any deal.

Brad Mills will remain the Astros manager in 2012.

There was some question about whether Mills would keep his job with the Astros going through ownership and general manager changes, but new GM Jeff Luhnow has confirmed that Mills will stick around. "I had a good conversation with him [Mills]," Luhnow said. "I'm going to go visit with him out in L.A. and here in Houston. I'm looking forward to working with him as our manager. So, he is our manager." The Astros have gone 132-192 in Mills' two seasons as manager and finished with a major league-low 56 wins in 2011.

According to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, the Astros have hired Jeff Luhnow as general manager.

A superb hire for the 'Stros. Luhnow helped turned the Cardinals' farm system from pitiful to productive as the team's vice president of scouting and player development, and will look to do the same with a Houston franchise that has fallen way off course. He faces many challenges, but he's equipped with the brain-power to help the Astros begin turning things around. Luhnow will be introduced at a press conference Thursday.

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports that the Astros will interview Dodgers assistant general manager Logan White for their GM vacancy.

White has interviewed for numerous GM jobs in the past and would be a pretty good get for the Astros considering the number of people that have refused to even interview for the job. Early indications are that Rockies assistant GM Bill Geivett is the favorite for the job at this point.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Astros interviewed Royals assistant general manager J.J. Picollo Monday for their vacant GM position.

The Astros have been spurned by Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman and were told by White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine and former Dodgers assistant GM Kim Ng that they wouldn't even interview. Cardinals vice president of scouting and player developmentr Jeff Luhnow and Rockies assistant GM Bill Geivett have interviewed, with Geivett looking like the favorite for the job at this point.

According to Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio on SirusXM, the Astros interviewed Cardinals vice president of scouting and player developmentr Jeff Luhnow for their general manager vacancy on Thursday.

Luhnow has worked with the Cards' organization since 2003. The Astros interviewed Rockies assistant GM Bill Geivett on Friday while they have been turned down by White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine and former Dodgers assistant GM Kim Ng. The Astros reportedly "will do whatever it takes" to hire Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman, but it would be surprising if he actually took the job.

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn and former Dodgers assistant GM Kim Ng have turned down the opportunity to interview for the Astros GM vacancy.

This, in addition to already being rebuffed by Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine. At least new owner Jim Crane convinced Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman to interview. It's no wonder that Crane will reportedly "do whatever it takes" to hire Friedman given that other candidates are dropping like flies. Friedman ultimately still seems like a longshot, though.

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Astros "will do whatever it takes'' to hire Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman as their new general manager.

It's no surprise that Friedman would be the Astros' top target, but, as Heyman notes, it's questionable as to whether he'd consider taking the job. Houston faces a long rebuilding process, but perhaps Friedman would enjoy the challenge if the Astros are willing to throw enough money his way. It still seems like a longshot, though.

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com confirms that the Astros have been granted permission to interview Rockies assistant GM Bill Geivett for their general manager vacancy.

The Rangers announced Wednesday that assistant general manager Thad Levine does not plan to seek a job outside the organization, namely the Astros' GM gig.

The Astros were granted permission Tuesday to speak with Levine, but no interview will take place. Houston is also expected to be rebuffed by Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman, meaning the team will almost certainly be without a general manager heading into next week's Winter Meetings in Dallas. Former 'Stros GM Ed Wade was shown the door last week.

The Astros have been given permission to interview Rangers executive Thad Levine for their GM vacancy.

The news comes via Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. On Monday, the Astros were given permission to talk about their GM opening with Rays executive Andrew Friedman, so there are now two worthy candidates in the running for the role. With the offseason already in full swing and the Winter Meetings under a week away, we'd expect Houston's new ownership to make a swift hire.

According to Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle, the Astros have received permission to interview Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman.

The club has asked to interview a "handful" of candidates, but Justice hears that Friedman is the Astros' top choice. He interviewed for the Angels' GM job last month, but many believe it would take a significant offer to pry him away from the Rays. Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine and senior director of player personnel A.J. Preller are also believed to be under consideration for the job.

The Astros are expected to announce the firing of general manager Ed Wade on Monday, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.

In addition, Tal Smith, the club's president of baseball operations, is expected to to be out, possibly via retirement. The future of manager Brad Mills is uncertain, according to Rosenthal. Wade took over in September 2007 and has been in baseball for 54 years. In his four uninspiring years at the helm in Houston, Wade made questionable trades -- such as swapping five players for Miguel Tejada -- and free-agent signings, like handing out Brandon Lyon's ludicrous contract. The Astros ended this past season 56-106, worst in the majors. Jim Crane recently purchased the team, which will move to the American League West in 2013, and promised quick changes to the moribund franchise.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig announced Thursday that Jim Crane's purchase of the Astros was approved by owners.

Crane originally agreed to buy the team from Drayton McLane for the price of $680 million, but he is expected to get a $70 million discount to move the franchise to the American League. Selig confirmed Thursday that the Astros will move to the American League West in 2013, which will result in 15 teams in each league and interleague play on a daily basis. Interestingly, Selig also said that the addition of two Wild Card teams to the current playoff format could still happen as soon as 2012.

Astros manager Brad Mills said Wednesday that Carlos Lee is being "penciled in" at first base for 2012.

"He enjoys playing there and he did a real good job last year," said the skipper. "As of right now that makes us a better ballclub if he's at first base." Lee is no longer a reliable defender in the outfield and is much better suited for first, but this likely means that Brett Wallace will see a decrease in playing time in 2012.

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, prospective Astros owner Jim Crane has agreed to move the team to the American League in 2013.

Drayton McLane agreed to sell the team in May to a group led by Crane for $680 million - the second-highest sale price in major league history. Heyman reports that Crane will get a $50 million "discount" for agreeing to move the team to the American League while Bob Nightengale of USA Today hears that it's $80 million. The sale could be approved as soon as this Thursday during the MLB owners' meetings in Milwaukee. The Astros are expected to join the AL West, which would result in 15-team leagues and interleague play on a daily basis during the season.