The Astros have signed 29-year old switch-hitting catcher Landon Powell to a minor league deal. Powell played in 36 games for the A’s last year and he was 19 of 111 (.171 avg, .471 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. He has now played in 123 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 75 of 363 (.207 avg, .612 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 10 homers, 45 RBIs and 1 stolen base. This was a good move for the Astros as Powell might be able to help them fill the black hole at catcher at some point in 2012.