Nolan Ryan is poised to rejoin the Astros. No, silly, not as a pitcher, but on a personal services contract, which is to say he'll get paid to schmooze with big shots.
According to a person close to the situation, Ryan has told [Astros owner Drayton] McLane he will have an answer for the Astros by the middle of the month. It wouldn't be a surprise if the announcement was made today or Wednesday, however."I haven't talked to Nolan in about 10 days, but I have certainly talked to Nolan and encouraged him and recruited him," McLane said from his home in Temple. "We certainly have recruited him. ... We've had numerous conversations in the last several months."
Ryan's 10-year personal services contract with the Rangers ended late last year, and McLane wasted little time trying to lure him back to the Astros.