LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Young slugger Nate Freiman met the Astros’ spring-training expectations. But eight days before making the team’s 25-man roster and jumping from Class AA to the major leagues, Freiman was claimed off waivers Saturday by the Oakland A’s. The 26-year-old first baseman/designated hitter hit .278 with one home run and seven RBIs in 36 exhibition at-bats with the Astros. Freiman feature story The 6-foot-8, 250-pound Freiman was selected during the 2012 Rule 5 draft and the Astros initially planned to use him on their 2013 big-league club. But Carlos Pena was signed and Chris Carter was acquired after the Astros picked up Freiman. With Brett Wallace [...]