| 
- By keeping Carlos Lee in the state, the Houston Astros went a long way in addressing their biggest need.
After finishing the 2006 season with the Texas Rangers, Lee signed a six-year, $100 million contract with the Astros on Friday.
Houston had been searching for a power hitter to bolster an anemic offense that was last in the National League with a .255 average last season and has been among the worst in the league over the last three years.
In addition to improving their lineup, the Astros also strengthened their starting rotation Friday, signing righthander Woody Williams to a two-year deal worth $12.5 million.
"This is a historic day for our franchise," Astros general manager Tim Purpura said. "We succeeded in fulfilling two of our offseason objectives, obtaining a run-producing middle-of-the-order power hitter, and we bolstered our starting pitching staff."
The Astros' lineup figures to receive a huge boost from the Lee, 30, who split 2006 between the Milwaukee Brewers and Rangers, batting a combined .300 with career highs of 37 homers and 116 RBI. He also stole a personal-best 19 bases and struck out just 65 times - the lowest total of his eight-year career.
The Brewers traded the massive left fielder to the Rangers in July once it became apparent they would not be able to re-sign the two-time All-Star this offseason. He batted .322 in 59 games with Texas but managed just nine home runs in 236 at-bats.
The 6-2, 240-pound Lee is considered a defensive liability but has hit at least 24 home runs in eight straight seasons, including four consecutive 30-homer campaigns. He is a .286 career hitter with 221 homers in 1,203 games with the Chicago White Sox, Brewers and Rangers.
"Carlos Lee is one of the finest offensive players in the game today and he will fit very nicely in the middle of our batting order for years to come," Purpura said.
Williams, 40, could be a welcome addition to a Houston rotation that likely will be without veteran free agents Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte in 2007.
A 13-year veteran, Williams is coming off one of the best seasons of his career as he went 12-5 with a 3.65 ERA in 25 games for the San Diego Padres. He matched the second-highest win total of his career and recorded double-digit victories for the sixth time.
Williams closed the regular season in impressive fashion, going 5-0 with a 2.67 ERA over his final five starts. But he lost his only playoff start.
"Woody Williams is a veteran pitcher who pitches with guts and guile," Purpura said. "He will be an integral part of our rotation and will be a mentor to our young pitchers."
Williams made his lone All-Star appearance in 2003, when he went a career-best 18-9 with a 3.87 ERA for the Cardinals. In addition to the Cardinals and two stints with the Padres, he also has pitched for Toronto.
Williams has a lifetime mark of 124-101 with a 4.09 ERA in 391 games, including 299 starts.
|
