The Astros have re-signed lefty reliever Stephen Randolph for some reason. Randolph was awful for the Astros last season as he pitched in 14 games for them and he was 0-1 with a 12.15 ERA and a 2.85 WHIP! The 33-year old lefty has now pitched in 109 games (6 starts) in his major league career and he is 10-7 with a 5.52 ERA and a 1.81 WHIP. Signing Randolph was a waste of ink and paper for the Astros.

The Astros have signed outfielder Jose Cruz and infielder Tomas Perez to minor league contracts. Cruz hopes to revive his career with his dad’s team (he is the first base coach). 33-year old switch hitter Jose Cruz played in 91 games last season for the Padres and he was 60 for 256 (.234 avg, .691 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 6 homers, 21 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Cruz has had a solid major league career that covers 1,350 games. In those games, Cruz was 1,161 for 4,675 (.248 avg, .786 OPS) with 707 runs, 204 homers, 623 RBIs and 113 stolen bases. 34 year old switch hitting infielder Tomas Perez last played in the majors in 2006 with the Devil Rays so he’s also trying to revive his major league career. He has played in 781 games in his major league career and he is 453 for 1,886 (.240 avg, .634 OPS) with 205 runs scored, 24 homers and 180 RBIs. These two guys could come in handy for the Astros next season.

The Houston Astros continue to fortify the bullpen as they have signed Doug Brocail to a 1-year, $2.5 million dollar contract. Brocail pitched well last season for the Padres as he worked in 67 games and he was 5-1 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Brocail will likely be working in the 6th and 7th innings next season for the Astros. Brocail has now pitched in 534 games (42 starts) in his career and he is 44-43 with 7 saves, a 3.99 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.

The Astros have signed old friend Geoff Blum to a 1 year, $1.1 million dollar contract with an option for 2009. Blum played in 122 games last season for the Padres and he was 83 for 330 (.252 avg, .686 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 5 homers and 33 RBIs. Blum will likely play all over the field but most of his playing time will likely be at 2B with Chris Burke the likely starter there this season. Blum has now played in 1,022 games in his major league career and he is 749 for 2,981 (.251 avg, .698 OPS) with 345 runs scored, 71 homers and 344 RBIs. This was a solid signing for the Astros as Blum is a solid bench player and pinch hitter.

The Astros have acquired righty reliever Oscar Villarreal from the Braves for outfielder Josh Anderson. Anderson became expendable after the Astros acquired Michael Bourn from the Phillies. Villarreal had a so-so season for the Braves last year as he worked in 51 games and he was 2-2 with 1 save, a 4.24 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Still, he has a good arm and he has been a solid pitcher over his major league career to this point. Villarreal has pitched in 223 games (5 starts) in his major league career and he is 23-12 with 1 save, a 3.71 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. This was a good trade that should help both teams out in the future.

The Astros have traded Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett to the Phillies for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary and minor league 3B Mike Costanzo. The 24-year old lefty swinging Michael Bourn will likely be the starting center fielder next season for the Astros. Bourn played in 105 games last season for the Phillies and he was 33 for 119 (.277 avg, .726 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 1 homer, 6 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. He has now played in 122 games in his major league career and he is 34 for 127 (.268 avg, .702 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 1 homer, 6 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Geoff Geary will work in the middle innings in the bullpen for the Astros. The 31-year old righty pitched in 57 games for the Phillies last season and he was 3-2 with a 4.41 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. In 216 career games, Geary is 13-4 with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. 24 year old lefty swinging 3B Mike Costanzo played in 137 games in AA ball last season and he was 137 for 508 (.270 avg, .858 OPS) with 92 runs scored, 27 homers and 86 RBIs. He needs to make better contact if he wants to play for the Astros as he whffed 157 times last season. The success of this trade hinges on the play of Michael Bourn.