Astros News

Re-signing their own Astros' priority
Comment
November 19
MLB.com
 
"When it comes to the big names of the free-agent market this offseason, don't expect to see the likes of Matt Holliday or John Lackey spending time looking for real estate or researching the best school districts in the Houston area. Astros owner Drayton McLane said Wednesday his club isn't in a position to sign marquee players, which certainly isn't a revelation. Houston is expected to cut its payroll from the $107 million it spent last year, and with so much money already committed to players under contract, it makes for a frugal winter for the Astros. "We're going to have to work to see who's out there and what our needs are," McLane said. "We're not like we were when we signed Carlos ..."
Astros not interested in Smoltz
Comment
November 18
MLB.com
 
"Don't expect the Astros to pursue veteran pitcher John Smoltz. Smoltz was said to have drawn interest of several teams according to a report by Foxsports.com, a list that included the Astros. And while the Astros have kicked around dozens of names from the list of free agents who have filed, sources indicate their interest in Smoltz just isn't there. Smoltz is open to starting or relieving and could serve in the closer's role for a team in need of help at the back of the bullpen. Astros general manager Ed Wade said late on Tuesday that he wasn't going to comment on Smoltz."
Astros open to re-signing Tejada
Comment
November 17
MLB.com
 
"The Astros might not be in position to sign any marquee names when free agency begins in earnest Friday, but general manager Ed Wade is still confident he can improve the club in the coming weeks through either trades or free agency. The first task for the Astros is re-signing their own free agents, a list that includes impact players in shortstop Miguel Tejada, closer Jose Valverde and reliever LaTroy Hawkins. Houston likely doesn't have enough payroll flexibility to retain all three, and Tejada's future with the club would be at third base instead of shortstop. "Everybody is aware Miggy is a free agent and that's 199 hits and a guy who did a really super job for us and a two-time ..."
Interest in Wagner still strong
Comment
November 16
Foxsports.com
 
"Teams would have to surrender a draft pick in order to sign Billy Wagner, but interest in the left-hander remains strong. Bean Stringfellow, Wagner's agent, said Monday that eight clubs have called to express interest in Wagner, a Type A free agent. "The best way to put it," Stringfellow said, "is that the teams that called are aware that he's a Type A free agent, and they're calling anyway." Boston, Atlanta, Washington, Houston and Baltimore are on the list, according to Stringfellow, along with three teams that preferred to remain anonymous. Of that group, Stringfellow said only the Red Sox — Wagner's most recent team — would slot him in a role other than closing. The unnamed teams are ..."
Valverde to test free-agent waters
Comment
November 15
MLB.com
 
"Gene Mato, one of the agents for free agent closer Jose Valverde, confirmed the pitcher's desire to test the free-agent waters. "The Astros have communicated to Jose their desire to bring him back," Mato wrote in an email to MLB.com "He really enjoyed his time there and is open to the idea of returning. With that said, he is intrigued with the whole free agency process and the interest that is being generated." Valverde is coming off a stellar season in which he was 25-for-29 in save opportunities and posted the second-lowest ERA of his career at 2.33. He told MLB.com in September he was going to test the free-agent market after making $8 million in 2009."
Bourn epitomizes hometown kid making good
Comment
November 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Who doesn't like a "Local Kid Does Good" story? It was a joy to watch Michael Bourn write that story night after night in the expansive outfield at Minute Maid Park this past summer. With his many run-saving grabs and spectacular displays of speed and athleticism, Bourn was the Astros' most exciting player. He brought life to a dead season for a team that finished much closer to last than first. When he was named a National League Gold Glove winner this week, Bourn, who attended Nimitz and the University of Houston, looked at the names of the other winners and was amazed he was among them. Among the stars. Funny he thought that, considering he always had winning a Gold Glove as a goal. "I ..."
Tejada, Cabrera head free agent shortstops
Comment
November 12
MLB.com
 
"This year's class of free agent shortstops features two familiar names in former Most Valuable Player Miguel Tejada and the always steady Orlando Cabrera, yet it's a mostly unheralded shortstop from Venezuela who figures to be the crown jewel of the class. Toronto's Marco Scutaro, who might not be a household name like Tejada and Cabrera, could certainly provide the most value, considering what he brings both offensively and defensively to the shortstop position. Scutaro emerged as one of baseball's better leadoff hitters last season, when he hit .282 with an impressive .379 on-base percentage while also providing some power with 12 homers and some speed with 14 stolen bases. He's the ..."
Bourn snags Gold Glove
Comment
November 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"Center fielder Michael Bourn, who hadn't been born the last time an Astros outfielder earned a Gold Glove, picked up his first such award for defensive excellence Wednesday. Claiming the 20th Gold Glove in franchise history, Bourn, 26, became the club's first outfielder to earn the National League honor since Cesar Cedeno collected his fifth in a row in 1976. Credits Cruz Bourn arrived in Houston with a solid defensive reputation when he was part of the November 2007 trade that sent Brad Lidge to the Philadelphia Phillies. Bourn refined his defensive skills playing on the rough fields in the Dominican Republic Winter League between the 2008 and 2009 seasons, he says. He also often worked ..."
Rollins, Victorino again get Gold Gloves
Comment
November 12
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino did not win the World Series again this year, but they are repeat winners of the Gold Glove at their positions.Rollins won his third consecutive National League Gold Glove at shortstop yesterday, while Victorino claimed his second straight in the outfield.Rollins, who will turn 31 on Nov. 27, led all major-league shortstops with a .990 fielding percentage and made just six errors, fewest among full-time big-league shortstops. He had an 86-game errorless streak during the season.Rollins is the first NL shortstop to win three straight Gold Gloves since Rey Ordonez did so with the New York Mets (1997-99). He is the first Phillie to win three in a row at any ..."
Mets won't get Lee from Astros
Comment
November 11
New York Post
 
"I thought I had come up with a possible option for the Mets to be that slugging left fielder they so badly crave. Astros GM Ed Wade admitted his team needs to have its payroll "go south" and the highest-paid player on the team is Carlos Lee, who is owed $55.5 million over the next three seasons. He also has hit at least 24 homers in each of the last 10 seasons. The only player with a longer streak is Alex Rodriguez at 12 years. However, Wade put the kibosh on this theory by saying, "He is going to be our left fielder. He has a complete no-trade clause and he has made it very, very clear that he does not want to go anywhere.""
Phils, Cards, LA each take two Gold Gloves
Comment
November 11
MLB.com
 
"They flashed leather, pulled off web gems, picked it, got their uniforms dirty, and stoked stadiums with razor-sharp routes, dazzling dives and wall-scraping wows. They're the 2009 National League winners of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, announced on Wednesday. At first base, San Diego Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez repeated his 2008 crown by tying for fourth in the league with a fielding percentage of .995. Gonzalez made only seven errors in 1,367 total chances in the midst of his second straight All-Star campaign. The second base Gold Glove returned to the possession of Orlando Hudson, the Dodgers veteran who won Senior Circuit hardware in 2006 and 2007 while with the D-backs after ..."
Valverde files for free agency
Comment
November 10
MLB.com
 
"Astros closer Jose Valverde filed for free agency Monday, joining teammates Miguel Tejada, LaTroy Hawkins, Jason Michaels and Darin Erstad, who filed last week. Valverde is coming off a stellar season in which he was 25-for-29 in save opportunities and posted the second-lowest ERA of his career at 2.33. He told MLB.com in September he was going to test the free-agent market after making $8 million in 2009. Astros general manager Ed Wade said he hopes to re-sign Valverde, who figures to command a sizable raise in free agency. Valverde, 31, led the National League with 47 saves for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007 before being traded to the Astros following that year. He led the NL in saves ..."
Catch me if you can: Market full of backstops
Comment
November 9
MLB.com
 
"The free-agent market for catchers in 2009-10 is chock full of high-profile experience, durability and veteran savvy behind the plate. Even though the catching crop's best offensive player, Victor Martinez, was taken off the table when the Red Sox, as expected, picked up his $7.7 million option, recent World Series-tested backstops such as Bengie Molina (2002), Ivan Rodriguez (2003, '06), Jason Varitek (2004, '07), Yorvit Torrealba (2007) and Rod Barajas (2001) are, or are expected to be, available. Molina, who won a World Series ring with the Angels in '02, continues a career as a highly respected defensive catcher and proceeds to develop as a run-producing hitter, spending a good portion ..."
Astros send Castro home from AFL to rest
Comment
November 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros cut short catching prospect Jason Castro's season, sending him home from the Arizona Fall League for the purpose of resting after a long first full year as a professional. "There was a short bit of dialogue about how I was feeling and if it was something I would consider," Castro said in a telephone interview. "We thought it was the best choice to start to recoup and look forward to next season." The team's top pick in the 2008 draft played in 119 games in the regular season between high Class A Lancaster and Class AA Corpus Christi. He hit .300 with a .380 on-base percentage and a .446 slugging percentage between the levels."
Astros hire Quirk as bullpen coach
Comment
November 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros hired Jamie Quirk to join new manager Brad Mills' staff as bullpen coach. Quirk, 55, was the Rockies' bench coach from 2003-08, winning the National League pennant on Clint Hurdle's staff in 2007. He spent the 2009 season as a pro scout for the Reds. He joins pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, hitting coach Sean Berry, bench coach Al Pedrique, first base coach Bobby Meacham and third base coach Dave Clark on the 2010 staff."
Astros name three coaches, re-sign Blum
Comment
October 31
Houston Chronicle
 
"Al Pedrique, one of 10 candidates interviewed for the Astros' managerial position that Manny Acta declined before Brad Mills beat out Dave Clark for the post, has become Mills' bench coach. Bobby Meacham will serve as the first-base coach and Brad Arnsberg as pitching coach. Combined with the previous announcement that hitting coach Sean Berry will return and that Clark has been invited back, Mills' coaching staff is essentially set. Arnsberg, Meacham hired "On Pedrique, any time that you can get a guy with that type of experience in the dugout and the skills that he has, he's going to fit right in to what we need," Mills said. Although Mills and Pedrique have never worked together, they ..."
Experience with Bosox is a winning attribute
Comment
October 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"For six years, no manager in major league baseball had a more trustworthy, more dependable lieutenant than did Red Sox manager Terry Francona with bench coach Brad Mills, his former college roommate at Arizona. Mills planned spring training. He was the tactician with the color-coded charts that helped set up critical moves during two World Series. When Francona made a decision about playing time and days off, Mills frequently would be the one to pass it on to the player in question. When Francona was ill, as was the case early in the Red Sox's 2005 season, or was ejected or suspended, Mills ran the ballclub in the dugout. "There was no doubt in my mind if I ever got a job, he would be the ..."
Astros name Mills new manager
Comment
October 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"Brad Mills was hired Tuesday by the Astros, taking over as manager of a team that has missed the postseason four straight seasons despite having one of baseball's highest payrolls. The hiring ends a month-long search to replace Cecil Cooper, who was fired Sept. 21. The Astros will introduce Mills at a 3 p.m. press conference at Minute Maid Park. “You may say I haven’t been a major league manager, but I managed for 11 years in the minor leagues,” Mills said after his first interview with the Astros. “Six times going to the playoffs with one championship. I’ve coached now for 11 years at the major league level. And I just ran through the last six years in Boston and (worked) with two ..."
Astros interview Mills, Clark on Tuesday
Comment
October 27
MLB.com
 
"Boston Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills and Astros interim manger Dave Clark arrived at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday morning to interview with the Astros again about their vacant full-time manager position. Mills and Clark were two of 10 original candidates to replace Cecil Cooper, who was dismissed on Sept. 21, and join former manager Phil Garner as the lone remaining finalists. Garner was told by club officials Monday he was still in the running for the job, but he had yet to have another interview scheduled. The Astros offered the job Saturday to Manny Acta, but he turned down the Astros' two-year deal with an option in favor of a three-year deal plus an option to become the manager of the ..."
Astros comfortable with remaining manager candidates
Comment
October 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"Although Manny Acta turned down the Astros to become manager of the Cleveland Indians, owner Drayton McLane is adamant he's just as comfortable with finalists Brad Mills, Dave Clark and Phil Garner. Each one, McLane says, is a man the Astros would be comfortable hiring as a manager. "We started with 10 of what I thought were really good candidates," McLane said Monday. "And then we narrowed them down to four. We got three candidates; one eliminated himself. These were the four that we narrowed it down to, and any of them would have been a great manager for the Houston Astros. We're just trying to check to see who would be the best." Although the Astros haven't made him an offer, Mills, the ..."
Astros close to making decision on manager
Comment
October 24
Houston Chronicle
 
"As Drayton McLane heads into the weekend, Phil Garner, Manny Acta and Brad Mills are the finalists to replace Cecil Cooper as manager, and the Astros' owner expects to have a decision by early next week. McLane said he, president of baseball operations Tal Smith and general manager Ed Wade have begun the final check of references on Acta and Mills. No such check is needed for Garner, the former Astros manager who led the club to the World Series in 2005 and Game 7 of the NLCS in 2004. Asked if he was going to host more candidates other than Acta and Mills for a second round of interviews, McLane said he doesn't expect to do so with any others. "No, we're not going to meet," he said. "I met ..."
Wanted: Experience
Comment
October 23
Houston Chronicle
 
"Long before Tony LaRussa was considered a genius of a baseball manager, he finished fifth in his first two seasons as manager of the Chicago White Sox, taking over late in the 1979 season and finishing 27-27 before going 70-90 in 1980. Bobby Cox, considered one of the best managers in baseball history, actually struggled in his first stint managing the Atlanta Braves. Joe Torre, the man who gained a reputation as one of the best at dealing with ballplayers while skippering the high-payroll New York Yankees, was actually ridiculed when he was first introduced as manager in the Bronx. Torre, who just finished his 29th season as a manager with his second NLCS appearance in as many years with ..."
Tug of war over Acta?
Comment
October 22
Foxsports.com
 (scroll down)
"Acta not only is a finalist for the Indians, but also a leading candidate for the Astros. The Indians are not likely to alter their process because of the Astros' interest. But Astros owner Drayton McLane might react to the Indians' pursuit. The competition for Acta is reminiscent of the battle between the Rangers and Orioles for Phil Regan after the 1994 season. The Orioles' interest in Regan only intensified after club officials learned that Regan also was a target of the Rangers and their new general manager, former O's exec Doug Melvin. Orioles owner Peter Angelos, fearing he might lose Regan, would not let him leave Baltimore without a contract. McLane is the same type of owner that ..."
Acta, Mills get second Astros interviews
Comment
October 22
MLB.com
 
"Former Nationals manager Manny Acta and Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills both interviewed Wednesday for a second time with the Astros for the managerial position than became open when Cecil Cooper was dismissed last month. Acta, who was fired in July after 2 1/2 seasons as manager of the Nationals, and Mills were two of 10 men to interview with the Astros during a six-day span ending Monday. Houston general manager Ed Wade confirmed Acta interviewed with the front office, including owner Drayton McLane. "Manny came to town and had an opportunity to sit with us and sit with our group, including Drayton," Wade said. Acta arrived in Houston from Cleveland, where he interviewed Tuesday for the ..."
Astros meet with Acta, Mills for second interview
Comment
October 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros began their second round of interviews with former Nationals manager Manny Acta and Boston Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, both called back Wednesday from the initial list of 10. Owner Drayton McLane would only concede that Acta was in town and that Bob Melvin was not. "We brought in some others," McLane said as his jet headed back to Temple on Wednesday evening. "I don't want to go into details. Some of them I had not met and we had several discussions. They were kind of brief on my part." McLane spent the previous week on a business trip through Portugal, Germany and Poland. He returned to Houston on Tuesday and participated in the second round of interviews. According to a ..."
Seeking Red Sox coaches
Comment
October 20
Boston Herald
 
"Members of the same coaching staff since last winter, Brad Mills and Tim Bogar were competitors of a sort yesterday, as both were interviewed by the Houston Astros for their vacant managerial job. Mills interviewed in the morning and was followed in the afternoon by Bogar, who played for the Astros and later managed in their minor league system. The Astros already have interviewed a handful of other candidates, including former Houston manager Phil Garner. Mills and Bogar met with a handful of Houston officials: general manager Ed Wade, president Tal Smith, director of player development Ricky Bennett, scouting director Bobby Heck and special assistant Enos Cabell. "I thought it went ..."
Melvin, Acta bring confidence to Astros interviews
Comment
October 17
Houston Chronicle
 
"Looking smooth and relaxed with the top button of his dress shirt unbuttoned, Bob Melvin stated his case to be the Astros' manager Friday. Manny Acta was at ease in his power blue suit, light blue shirt and striped blue tie. Melvin and Acta exuded confidence Friday as the fifth and sixth candidates interviewed from the Astros' list of 10. Melvin was confident enough to heap praise on his mentor, Phil Garner, who will interview for the same position Saturday. Acta in turn didn't shy away from his tenure as manager of the Washington, brimming instead with optimism and self confidence while highlighting the way he remained steady while managing a team with some of the worst talent in ..."
Yost believes experience is in his corner
Comment
October 16
Houston Chronicle
 
"Former Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost, a protégé of Bobby Cox, highlighted his experience Thursday when he became the third person interviewed by the Astros for their managerial position. Randy Ready later focused on the fact Cox, the longtime Atlanta Braves manager, had to get his start somewhere. Yost, 54, was out of baseball this season after being fired by the Brewers late in the 2008 season when Milwaukee was in jeopardy of losing its grip on the National League wild-card berth. "Don't lose 10 out of 13 games," Yost said when asked what he learned from his final days in Milwaukee. "That's the best thing I could figure. Hope that your offense stays on track so that you don't ..."
Clark, Pedrique stress communication
Comment
October 15
Houston Chronicle
 
"Dave Clark and Al Pedrique made their cases to become the Astros' next manager, stressing their communication skills and familiarity with the organization Wednesday while being interviewed by general manager Ed Wade and other top front-office officials. Communication in the Astros' clubhouse was seen as one of the club's biggest problems under Cecil Cooper, and Wade even cited a hope to improve the communication in the clubhouse when he discussed the coaching changes the club recently made. "I think that one of my stronger points is communication," said Clark, who served as the club's interim manager for the final 13 games after Cooper was fired. "I always felt that I was a pretty good ..."
First two candidates have 'inside' track
Comment
October 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Dave Clark and Al Pedrique will make their pitches today in hopes of becoming the Astros' next manager. Clark was promoted from third-base coach to interim manager when Cecil Cooper was fired Sept. 21, while Pedrique moved up from the organization's minor league coordinator to serve as Clark's third-base coach. Clark and Pedrique will be the first pair the Astros bring in for interviews among general manager Ed Wade's list of 10 candidates. Of all the candidates, none will arrive in Houston with more recent firsthand knowledge of the Astros' organization than these two men. Clark managed Class AAA Round Rock in 2008 and Class AA Corpus Christi the previous three seasons. In 2006, he won ..."
Astros not retaining Cruz on coaching staff
Comment
October 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Jose Cruz, one of the most popular players and coaches in Astros history, was shocked when team president Tal Smith and general manager Ed Wade told him Tuesday his services as one of the club's coaches will no longer be needed. Cruz has been offered a dual role helping the field staff at home and in spring training and then as part of community outreach while the team is on the road during the regular season. The fate of the Astros' 2009 coaching staff also has been set, with only hitting coach Sean Berry retaining his position. Dave Clark, who served as interim manager for the final 13 games after Cecil Cooper was fired, can be on the 2010 coaching staff if he isn't hired as manager. ..."
Ex-skipper Garner among Astros candidates
Comment
October 13
Houston Chronicle
 
"Former Astros manager Phil Garner, who led the organization to its greatest feats, caps the list of 10 candidates who will interview to become the club's next manager. Dave Clark, who managed the team for the final 13 games of the season after Cecil Cooper was fired on Sept. 21, also will be interviewed along with Al Pedrique, the man who was promoted to third-base coach when Clark moved into the manager's post. "We're excited about the entire group of candidates," general manager Ed Wade said. "All 10 candidates have a great deal of experience and are held in high regard throughout Major League Baseball. Clarkie and Al are great internal candidates and are very well-respected both inside ..."
From Astros' 10 candidates, Garner stands out
Comment
October 13
Houston Chronicle
 
"If we're bringing back Scrap Iron, can we get Gerry Hunsicker as well? Don't forget Andy Pettitte, too. If we're having a reunion tour, let's do it up right. Let's check in on the Rocket and see if he's up for one more season. If nothing else, the Astros will be interesting again, and in the end, isn't that important, too? They need more talent, but they need some buzz, too. They weren't just bad this season. They were boring. How many times can you watch Carlos Lee get thrown out on the bases? Maybe that's why there were so many empty seats at Minute Maid Park. Let's face it: Phil Garner looks a whole lot better now than he did when the Astros fired him two years ago. As it turns out … ..."
Astros eye Sox coaches
Comment
October 13
Boston Herald
 
"For the second year in a row, two members of the Red Sox coaching staff could be competing against one another for a major league managerial opening. The Red Sox have given permission to the Houston Astros to interview bench coach Brad Mills and first base coach Tim Bogar. The Astros fired manager Cecil Cooper last month and are seeking a replacement. Both Mills and Bogar are scheduled to be interviewed Monday in Houston. "It's pretty cool," said Mills of the fact that he and Bogar have at the same opportunity. "It just goes to show how many good guys we have on this coaching staff and it says a lot about Tito (Francona) and Theo (Epstein) and ownership and the people they've put together ..."
Melvin joins list of managerial candidates
Comment
October 12
MLB.com
 
"Bob Melvin, the 2007 National League Manager of the Year with the Arizona Diamondbacks, confirmed on Monday he will interview with the Astros this week for their vacant managerial position. Melvin is the latest in growing list of candidates who will be given interviews, including Boston Red Sox first-base coach Tim Bogar, bench coach Brad Mills, former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta and Astros interim manager Dave Clark. Astros general manager Ed Wade on Monday confirmed Bogar, Mills and Acta would interview later this week, along with Astros Minor League field coordinator Al Pedrique. Clark will be among one of two candidates to interview on Wednesday. "It's obviously a great ..."
Fregosi has what it takes to manage Astros
Comment
October 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Jim Fregosi's genius is subtle. It's not in knowing how to craft a lineup or when to remove a pitcher from a game. In fact, it's not in anything that has to do with strategy or things that can be measured. That stuff is overrated anyway. Baseball's best managers aren't the ones who have the X's and O's figured out. They know they can hire people to help with that stuff. The best managers are the ones who gain the trust of their players, create an environment in which the team comes first and get a good effort from their players every day. And good managers enforce rules, but they enforce them with the proper touch, with a touch that won't humiliate or embarrass the player. In other words, ..."
Moehler accepts deal to return to Astros in 2010
Comment
October 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"Righthander Brian Moehler has exercised his mutual option for the 2010 season, accepting the $3 million contract to pitch with the Astros next year. "Moehler agreed to the option, so his deal is done with us," general manager Ed Wade said Thursday. "I'm happy. He's a true professional, and did exactly what we hoped he would do this year, which is to take a start every fifth day." Moehler, 37, who had surgery Monday to remove some loose particles from his right knee, was 8-12 with a 5.47 ERA this season. "I think he can help us next year with what he does on the mound and also the influence he can have on some of the younger guys on our team," Wade said. "And also from his work ethic; I ..."
Astros brass meet to finalize managerial candidates
Comment
October 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"General manager Ed Wade and Astros owner Drayton McLane met Thursday to finalize the club's list of about 10 candidates who will get at least one interview to try to make a case for becoming the team's manager. Wade and McLane wouldn't disclose the names on the list, but part of the interview process will include making each candidate's identity known to the public 24 hours before he is interviewed. Then each candidate will be presented to the media after the interview. Because some of the candidates are working for clubs in the postseason, there is a chance Astros officials will travel to interviews. Asking permission "We're at a point where I'll probably begin shortly, probably as early ..."
Advises Garner: Know club's goals
Comment
October 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"No manager has taken the Astros to greater feats than Phil Garner, who understands the importance of quality pitching and pushing the right buttons with veteran stars. Garner, the only manager who has been able to win a postseason series in franchise history, knows better than most what the next Astros manager can expect. He has lived the highest of highs in Astros baseball, guiding the club to its only World Series appearance in 2005. Garner took over after the 2004 All-Star break and steered the club out of mediocrity and to Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, beating the Atlanta Braves in the Division Series that year to claim the club's first postseason series victory. A ..."
Astros pick up Moehler's option
Comment
October 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros informed Brian Moehler today that they plan to pick up their portion of the mutual option they hold on the righthander for 2010. Moehler, who had right knee partial lateral meniscectomy to remove loose particles from his knee Monday, has the right to decline the $3 million contract. The Astros had until the fifth day after the World Series to exercise the option or pay Moehler a $250,000 buyout. If he declines, then he doesn't get the buyout. Moehler was 8-12 with a 5.47 ERA this year. "We informed Moehler today that we want to pick up his option," Ed Wade said. "He has the right to decline. We're optimistic that Brian is going to be back with us next year.""
2010 Astros unsettled everywhere but outfield
Comment
October 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"By the weekend, Ed Wade likely will start asking clubs for permission to interview managerial candidates or, at least, have the list of candidates finalized. What type of team will that manager inherit, though? That's the question Astros fans would love answered after watching the club finish fifth in the National League Central and a record (74-88) so low that only seven teams won fewer games. On the positive side, the Astros' outfield offensive production is the club's strength with team RBI and home run leader Carlos Lee manning left, NL stolen-base leader and Gold Glove candidate Michael Bourn in center and the impetuous Hunter Pence in right field. Pence and Lee aren't Gold Glove ..."
Surgery rids Moehler of particles in knee
Comment
October 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros righthander Brian Moehler had surgery Monday to remove loose particles from his right knee. Team trainer Nate Lucero told general manager Ed Wade that the procedure went well and that the veteran should be ready for the 2010 season. The Astros and Moehler hold a mutual option worth $3 million for 2010, but it's too early to tell if they'll exercise it. Moehler was 8-12 with a 5.47 ERA this year. " We're very pleased with what Brian's done for us," Wade said. "But I want to talk to our guys internally before we make any decisions.""
Astros players support Clark for manager
Comment
October 5
MLB.com
 
"If it were up to Astros veteran first baseman Lance Berkman, interim manager Dave Clark would be back in a full-time role next year. And Berkman isn't alone in his beliefs. Ace pitcher Roy Oswalt also wants Clark to get the managerial job in 2010, and up-and-coming outfielders Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence are behind Clark, too. Whether support in the clubhouse has an impact on hiring a full-time manager remains to be seen, but the players are convinced Clark is the right man. "I think Dave would do a good job," Oswalt said. "He knows the game well. I think the biggest attribute is he demands a lot from the players. He sticks with what he does best, and I think he would be great for this ..."
Wade beginning hunt for new manager
Comment
October 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"Although his list of candidates is somewhat set, general manager Ed Wade will check with the Astros' leadership this week before he starts asking other clubs for permission to interview managerial candidates. " We're pretty comfortable with the initial list that we've got," Wade said, "but I want to have the opportunity to sit down with several of us at the same time just to go over it and confirm that we're in the right place. "We're not moving at a snail's pace, but we're trying to do it as efficiently as we can. " Dave Clark, who served as the interim manager for the final 13 games of the season , plans to make the 10-hour drive to his home in Memphis today, then wait for the Astros to ..."
Astros go out with a goose egg
Comment
October 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"Fittingly perhaps, the Astros ended their 2009 season by suffering a sweep against one of only seven teams in the majors that had a worse record. Journeyman righthander Nelson Figueroa threw a four-hitter Sunday to help the New York Mets complete the three-game sweep with a 4-0 victory before a crowd of 38,135 at Citi Field. Figueroa, a 35-year-old who spent most of the season in the minors and had never thrown more than 7 2/3 innings in a major league start, snapped a personal five-game skid to improve to 2-8. "This has definitely been one of the most disappointing seasons that I can remember having here," Lance Berkman said. "It's one of the few times where we've come into the last ..."
Figueroa throws first complete game as Mets cap miserable season
Comment
October 5
New York Daily News
 
"For the first time in three years, the Mets received a dominating pitching performance on the regular season's final day. Of course, after crushing defeats to the Marlins in Game No. 162 in 2007 and '08, Nelson Figueroa's first career complete game and a 4-0 victory to complete a sweep of the Astros Sunday didn't exactly heal any wounds. The injury-laden Mets, who are expected to retain GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel but announce coaching staff dismissals today, finished the season at 70-92, in fourth place in the National League East. "We weren't expecting this coming out of spring training," Carlos Beltran said. The season attendance finished at 3,154,262 - down 22% from the ..."
After Quiet Finish, Mets Are Planning for Busy Off-Season
Comment
October 5
New York Times
 
"The video room was empty. So was the indoor batting cage. Inside the Mets' clubhouse on Sunday, Ken Takahashi was asking Pat Misch and Elmer Dessens to autograph his glove. Nick Evans was showing off a photograph capturing perhaps his most memorable moment of the season - when he met his comedic idol, Jerry Seinfeld, at Citi Field. "It's up there," Evans said. The morning before the Mets' final game of the regular season, a 4-0 victory against the Houston Astros, did not feature the same energy and anticipation as, say, those of the last two years. Officially out of playoff contention for three weeks - unofficially, for three months - the Mets cleaned out their lockers and sealed boxes ..."
Vacation one day away for Astros
Comment
October 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"As rain drenched Citi Field on Saturday afternoon, hardly anybody would have blamed the umpiring crew for ending a meaningless contest between two of the worst clubs in the National League on the penultimate day of the season. Yet the NL Central's fifth-place club and the NL East's fourth-place team sat through a rain delay of 2 hours, 20 minutes before continuing the sixth inning of the New York Mets' eventual 5-1 victory. Just as they couldn't before the delay, the Astros didn't put together nearly enough offense after it on an afternoon when Yorman Bazardo struggled in his final bid to impress."