Early on this year it appeared as if manager Brad Mills was overmatched in his new job as the Astros started the year 17-34. But instead of falling further into the abyss, the Astros started playing well under Mills finishing the year on a 59-52 run. The Astros finished up with a 76-86 record which had them 15 games behind the Reds in the N.L. Central, finishing in 4th place. The Astros also added an option for the 2012 season on Mills’ contract.

The Astros have declined their part of Geoff Blum’s mutual option for 2011 valued at $1.65 million bucks. The 37-year old switch hitting infielder played in 93 games for the Astros last season and he was 54 of 202 (.267 avg, .678 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 2 homers and 22 RBIs. He played in 580 games in five years with the Astros and he was 440 of 1,696 (.259 avg, .711 OPS) with 188 runs scored, 46 homers and 228 RBIs. Blum has been a decent back up for the Astros and maybe he would consider coming back for 2011 for less money than he option was going to pay him. But, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see some team pay him what the Astros option would have paid him in 2011.

The Astros have picked up their option for 2011 on 34-year old righty swinging Jason Michaels which will pay him $900,000 bucks. Michaels played in 106 games for the Astros last season and he was 47 of 186 (.253 avg, .778 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 8 homers and 26 RBIs. He has now played in 208 games in his first two years with the Astros and he is 79 of 321 (.246 avg, .767 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 12 homers, 42 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Michaels has been a solid back up outfielder for the Astros so I like this move for them.