2007 Houston Astros season

MLB yearly infobox
name = Houston Astros
season = 2007
misc =

current league = National League
y1 = 1962
division = Central Division
y2 = 1994
Uniform
ballpark = Minute Maid Park
y4 = 2000
city = Houston, Texas
y5 = 1962
owners = Drayton McLane, Jr.
managers = Phil Garner
Cecil Cooper
television = FSN Houston
KNWS (Ch. 51)
radio = KTRH
KLAT (Spanish)
espntn = hou
brtn = HOU|

The Houston Astros' 2007 season began with the team trying to take the NL Central title back from the World Series winners, the St. Louis Cardinals, after the Cardinals won it in 2006. They will have to do so without Jeff Bagwell, who retired after the Astros declined option on his contract for 2007, as well as pitchers Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens, who both filed for free agency on November 6. To make up for losing those key players, they signed pitcher Woody Williams, and traded with the Colorado Rockies for Jason Jennings, and Miguel Asencio. The largest offseason move the Astros made was signing outfielder Carlos Lee to a 6-year contract worth $100 million, the most in franchise history [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2674398 Lee signs with Houston for six years, $100 million] ] .

January - March

On January 3, the Astros reported that infielder Mark Loretta would sign a contract worth $2.5 million.

On January 12, the Astros signed veteran outfielder Richard Hidalgo to a Minor League Contract. Hidalgo spent his first 8 seasons with the Astros before working with the Mets then the Rangers. He was released on March 24 after a subpar Spring Training.

April - September

On April 28, the Astros purchased the contract of Hunter Pence, the organization's top prospect from Triple-A affiliate, and made his debut that night where he got his first career hit and run scored.

By May of 2007, the Astros had suffered one of their worst losing streaks since the 1995 season with 10 losses in a row, losing 4-3 to the Cincinnati Reds on May 30. The Astros were just one loss shy of tying their worst skid in franchise history, before snapping that streak the next day, also against the Reds.

On June 12, the Astros beat the Oakland Athletics for the first time in team history.

On June 28, second baseman Craig Biggio became the 27th player to accrue 3000 career hits. On the same night in the bottom of the 11th inning Carlos Lee hit a towering walk-off grand slam to win the game for the Astros.

On July 24, Craig Biggio announced that he would be retiring at the end of the 2007 season, his 20th season with the club (and a franchise record). He hit a grand slam in that night's game which broke a 3-3 tie and led to an Astros win.

On July 28, the Astros traded RHP Dan Wheeler to Tampa Bay for right-handed slugger 3B Ty Wigginton and cash considerations. He is now signed through 2009. On July 29, long time and former All-Star third baseman Morgan Ensberg was designated for assignment to make room for newly acquired Wigginton.

On August 26, former first baseman Jeff Bagwell's number 5 was officially retired after a 15 year career with the Astros.

On August 27, manager Phil Garner and General Manager Tim Purpura were relieved of their duties. Cecil Cooper and Tal Smith were named as interim replacements, respectively.

On September 17, in a 6-0 loss to the Brewers the Astros were officially eliminated from the 2007 playoffs.

On September 20, Ed Wade was named as the new General Manager of the Astros. He made his first move as GM by trading Jason Lane to the Padres on September 24.

On September 30, Craig Biggio retired, ending a 20-year career with the Astros.

Regular season

eason standings

Game log

October-December

On October 27, Craig Biggio received the Roberto Clemente Award.

On October 29, all six eligible Astros players filed for free agency. The list includes catcher Brad Ausmus, infielder Mike Lamb, infielder Mark Loretta, outfielder Orlando Palmeiro, left-handed reliever Trever Miller and right-handed reliever Brian Moehler.

On October 30, the Astros signed catcher Brad Ausmus to a 1-year, $2 million contract.

On November 8, The Astros acquired outfielder Michael Bourn, third baseman Michael Costanzo, and right-handed reliever Geoff Geary from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brad Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Ed Wade. [ [http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071107&content_id=2295602&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou The Official Site of The Houston Astros: Official Info: Astros acquire Bourn, Costanzo, Geary from Philadelphia ] ]

On November 9, MLB announced the winners of the 2007 Silver Slugger Award. Carlos Lee was one of the winners in the outfield of the National League.

On November 16, the Astros acquired right-handed reliever Oscar Villarreal from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for center fielder Josh Anderson. On the same day, the Astros also signed outfielder Yordany Ramirez as a free agent.

On November 20, the Astros signed free agent utilityman Geoff Blum to a one-year deal including a club option for a second year.

On November 26, the Astros signed free agent Relief Pitcher Doug Brocail to a one-year deal.

On November 30, the Astros and free agent Kazuo Matsui agreed to a 3-year, $16.5 million deal. Matsui played second base for the NL Champion Colorado Rockies in the 2007 season. [ [http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=81962 9news.com Wolf, Jeffrey November 30, 2007] ]

On December 12, the Astros acquired shortstop Miguel Tejada from the Orioles for five players. The Astros traded outfielder Luke Scott, pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate and third baseman Mike Costanzo to Baltimore for Tejada. Adam Everett, the Astros shortstop at the time, had to deal with a double-whammy: not only did the Astros trade for Tejada, they also non-tendered Everett, leaving him without a team as of 11 p.m. CT.

On December 14, The Houston Astros' offseason of dealing continued on Friday when the club traded Chris Burke, Chad Qualls and Juan Gutiérrez to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for closer Jose Valverde.

Current roster

References

*Game Logs::1st Half: [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/schedule?team=hou&season=2007&seasonType=2&half=1 Houston Astros Game Log] on ESPN.com:2nd Half: [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/schedule?team=hou&season=2007&seasonType=2&half=2 Houston Astros Game Log] on ESPN.com
*Batting Statistics: [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/stats?team=hou Los Houston Astros Batting Stats] on ESPN.com
*Pitching Statistics: [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/pitching?team=hou Houston Astros Pitching Stats] on ESPN.com