Just call it a swing year in the Astros’ reconstruction. Maybe not critical, but perhaps pivotal. Since Jeff Luhnow has been running the show, he’s sent veterans like Wandy Rodriguez, J.A. Happ, Jed Lowrie, Brett Myers and Chris Johnson packing. As evidenced by the crazy-low payroll, there’s very little left to deal. Unless you want…

Brian Todd starts the week with a gut-check — some might consider controversial — question regarding George Springer and other rookies-to-be. It’s certainly a question that Jeff Luhnow will consider and one that the players themselves could decide with a great or average spring. • •• ••• •• • If the world was a fair world,…

Chip is working in Southern California this week and Dan Peschong checks in with an interesting look back at 2013. Indeed, it was a season to “see what we’ve got” and Dan cites the cream that is rising to the top and the plain ol’ riff raff. • •• ••• •• •   At the major…

Brad Ausmus could come back to haunt the Houston Astros. Ausmus, who had a love-hate relationship with Astros’ fans as a catcher, was named manager of the Detroit Tigers this weekend. Congrats Mr. Ausmus, it’s been a long time coming. For years, fans, media and others close to the game have anticipated that the former…

Dan Peschong is back today with the second part of his look at age and how it may affect the Astros. • •• ••• •• •   OK – in the last blog we looked at top youngsters in the system age 18 to 21. Today we are looking for slightly older youngsters 22-23 many of…

Now that the playoffs and World Series have concluded, the real season begins for the Astros. Dan Peschong starts us off with a two-parter. • •• ••• •• •  At age 23, Jeff Bagwell won the NL Rookie of the Year award. Craig Biggio was called up at age 22 and became an everyday starter…

The recent “chase” to sign Jose Dariel Abreu had nothing but good news for the Astros. Even though Houston didn’t sign the Cuban defector, the Astros seem to be moving the ball down the field. In other words, the train has finally left the prospect-only station. Here are three reasons even the “non-signing” should give…

As the Texans distract Houston’s sports fans with their (ahem) marvelous play over the past few weeks, it’s time to take a look at some ways the Astros can improve their team between now and spring training. Before we start naming names, however, consider this: The Astros should be an improved team in 2014, even…