Keeping up with the Astros

Your favorite home team and ours, the Astros, is finally making the most of the offseason. Reports yesterday say that GM Tim Purpura has made offers to outfielders (and power hitters, more importantly) Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano. Last year our 'Stros were last in the NL with a team batting average of .255, just one indicator of the trouble they've had offensively over the last several years. Lee played for the Brewers and the Rangers last year, and finished the season with a batting average of .300 and 37 home runs. Soriano, who played last year with the Nationals, hit .277 with 46 homers. Both of these players would add much-needed power to the Astros lineup.

In other Astros news:

• Longtime hometown hero Craig Biggio is the recipient of the second annual "Heart and Hustle" award.
• After firing pitching coach Jim Hickey, this week the Astros hired former Red Sox coach Dave Wallace.
• Season tickets for '07 are available. Information about tickets of all kinds can be found here.

• Tim Purpura has also been in discussion with pitcher Woody Williams' agent. Williams went 12-5 for the San Diego Padres last year with a 3.65 ERA.

Photo from flickr user mrp10001.