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.