"The 2012 Astros' season is not about wins and losses. It's about building the foundation and restoring stability. That will eventually result in more wins than losses, but the fruit may not be evident until 2013.

Some are calling for the Astros to delve into free agency. Others are suggesting they should make plays for players on the trade front.

New GM Jeff Luhnow has made it clear, though. No thanks! Not this year at least. Sure, everyone wants to win and, indeed, it is the barometer for an organization's progress. But, in the case of the Astros, that barometer should be stretched over the next five years, not simply to take the temperature of 2012. Progress is progress. As hard as it is to write, say or even believe, a double-digit loss season will be improvement."