Bud Norris News

Justice lays out a couple of basic rules: Lee, Berkman, Oswalt, Matsui, Moehler, Blum are all back for a total commitment of $58M.A If the plan keeps Pence and Wandy add another $10M.A If it keeps Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins add another $15M.A This total comes to $83M. My plan comes in under this at $72-74M because I am letting Valverde walk, and ...

Apparently, Astros fans have some questions they'd like answered. Make that, more than 100 questions they'd like answered.

When you think about your Astros, each player has a value and an upside or downside.

The 2009 Houston Astros organization preview had an extremely honest assessment in it, tinged with a hint of optimism: "We're not where we want to be, but we're getting there." It was refreshing in that most player development folks, by the very nature of what they do, are eternal optimists.

Tommy Manzella could be rookie of the year next season. So could Chris Johnson. Bud Norris doesn't stand a chance.

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.

Yes, it's November, but why not take an early look at what the Astros' roster may look like next season.

On the day Brad Mills was hired, Drayton McLane backed off earlier statements that the Astros were planning on cutting their payroll for 2010 and seemed to leave open the possibility of some winter spending.

The Yankees outspent the Astros by nearly $100 million in 2009. The Yankees won the World Series, the Astros finished fifth in the NL Central.

Astros general manager Ed Wade faces the pressure this offseason to trim payroll, yet improve the team's weaknesses, like the starting rotation.

The Houston Astros have their pick of four guys and they hire the one guy I don't know anything about without cheating and looking him up online.

Brad Mills is the new manager of the Houston Astros. The 52-year-old Mills has been Terry Francona's bench coach in Boston for the past six seasons.

Houston Astros Owner Drayton McLane, GM Ed Wade, and others on a selection committee interviewed the last of 10 managerial candidates Monday afternoon.

With the Houston Astros on the verge of hiring a new manager, the free-agent market will soon heat up upon the conclusion of the World Series.

Dave Clark and Al Pedrique will make their pitches today in hopes of becoming the Astros' next manager.

Brian Moehler began the season pitching on a bum knee and ended it on a bum knee.

If the Astros install Tommy Manzella at short, Edwin Maysonet at second and Jason Castro behind the plate in 2010, they'll be an above-average defensive team and on their way back.

Astros general manager Ed Wade will have plenty on his plate this offseason, with the No.

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.

Originally published October 5, 2009 at 11:03 a.m., updated October 5, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. HOUSTON a ' The Houston Astros' offseason rebuilding effort begins with finding a new manager.