General manager Dana Brown lit a spark at the winter meetings Monday when he declared the Houston Astros would listen to trade inquiries about “anybody,” including star right fielder Kyle Tucker. Tucker figured to attract interest.

DALLAS — The Houston Astros added five players — four pitchers and a shortstop — in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft Wednesday at the winter meetings. Houston did not acquire any players in the major league phase of the draft or have any players taken from its system in the major or minor league portions of the Rule 5.

Pitchers again dominated the big league phase of the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings, comprising 11 of the 15 unprotected players who were picked