'Stros Replace Pettitte — At a Price

The Astros replaced hometown fave Andy Pettitte with Jason Jennings, from the Colorodo Rockies (where he's the team career leader in victories (with 58) and shutouts (with 3, but it's a hitter's ballpark). On the trade, the 'Stros also picked up relief pitcher Miguel Asencio.

To make the trade, we gave up speedy outfielder Willy Taveras, as well as young pitchers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh — the same trio that might have gone to the White Sox for Jon Garland if that deal had gone through.

Jennings, 28, was born and raised in Mesquite and pitched for Baylor. The '02 Rookie of the Year had only a 3.56 ERA this season despite the notoriously hard-to-pitch Coors Field, where the Rockies play. As for Ascensio, his frequent elbow injuries make him problematic, but he could turn out to be a good prospect with more playing time.

Both will report with the rest of the Astros' pitchers and catchers on Feb. 17.