Houston Astros

Let me preface this piece by saying that Bobby Meacham, the new Houston Astros first-base coach, is described as a very classy guy and a respected coach. They say that those who can, do and those who can't, teach. Baseball's filled with successful managers who were mediocre players (Tommy Lasorada had a lifetime pitching record of 0-4 while Earl Weaver never even made it to the big leagues).

According to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, the Houston Astros have named Brad Arnsberg as their new pitching coach.

Arnsberg, who served as Toronto’s pitching coach the last five seasons, is the final piece to the coaching puzzle, as Houston hired Bobby Meacham as the first-base coach and Al Pedrique as the bench coach earlier today.

In addition, McTaggart is reporting that the Astros have reached an agreement with infielder Geoff Blum (one year, $1.5 million contract for 2010, with mutual option for 2011 worth $1.65 million).

According to the Houston Chronicle’s Richard Justice (as well as MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart), the Houston Astros have added two new faces to their 2010 coaching staff.

Beyond the hiring of new manager Brad Mills (along with the return of Sean Berry as hitting coach and Dave Clark as third base coach), the Astros have announced the addition of Al Pedrique [pictured] as bench coach and Bobby Meacham as first base coach.

The Astros' new pitching coach is also planned to be unveiled sometime in the very near future.

If you're a veteran catcher, have your agent give the Houston Astros a phone call. The 'Stros just might need your services.

That's because 36-year-old Chris Coste, acquired by Houston earlier this year after the Philadelphia Phillies had placed him on waivers, has rejected the team's outright assignment to Triple-A Round Rock and is now a free agent.

Looking at the press conference photo of Brad Mills being named the new manager of the Houston Astros and watching Ed Wade and Drayton McLane look like they're playing tug-of-war with Wade's jersey, I see something very fitting.

The Terry Francona disciple and former Boston Red Sox bench coach will wear jersey no. 2 with the Astros.

You know: 2, as in second choice.

Mills was named manager after the 'Stros first choice, Manny Acta, decided to take his act to the Cleveland Indians.

On the exact day five years ago that the Boston Red Sox won the World Series for the first time in 86 years, their bench coach from that improbable 2004 season left the Red Sox to take over as the manager for the Houston Astros

Mills has spent the last six years as bench coach of the Red Sox, and was generally considered one of the best bench coaches in the game. Red Sox manager Terry Francona knew that it would just be a matter of time until Mills was called upon to take the reigns of another major league franchise.

Brad Mills.

Don’t worry if the name doesn’t ring a bell.

But Manager Mills is the new Houston Astros skipper.

If team owner Drayton McLane, general manager Ed Wade, and president of baseball operations Tal Smith all agree upon Mills, then Mills it is.

Just because a lot of people may not know a lot about Mills doesn’t mean he’s not the right person for the job.

As a roommate, teammate, and coach under Terry Francona, Mills could very well be the answer Houston has been looking for.

Astros fans at least need to give Mills a chance.

It’s official: Brad Mills is the new Houston Astros skipper.

According to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, Mills was named the new manager on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 27, and his hiring became official at a news conference held at 3 p.m. CT at Minute Maid Park.

“There is no doubt in my mind we’ve made an outstanding selection,” general manager Ed Wade told Houston Chronicle’s Jose De Jesus Ortiz. “We’re working toward being a champion. This is a huge step to getting good and staying good.”

We're learning that Manny Acta and Terry Francona's bench coach Brad Mills are among the finalists for the new Houston Astros managerial job.