What should the Astros do when right fielder Jason Lane finishes the 2006 season with a measly batting average of .201? Recent logic of General Manager Tim Purpurpa says give em’ a raise. A large raise. Lane inked a new one-year contract today worth $1.05 million, more than double his 2006 salary of $450,000. We guess already having two great right fielders already under contract, Luke Scott and Richard Hidalgo, just wasn’t enough for Purpurpa. That or maybe he’s just trying to spend his woes away since losing Petite.
Possibly the only National League shortstop in need of a designated hitter, Adam Everett also resigned with the Astros today. A reported $2.8 million one-year deal with the club. Defensively, the man can do no wrong with a glove in his hand. In 2006, the 29-year-old had only seven errors, second best for a shortstop in the 2006 season. But nothing strikes fear in an Astros fan’s heart like watching him take the batter’s box. Maybe he should take a lesson from Craig Biggio. —Brett Koshkin
This article appears in Jan 25-31, 2007.
