Wade will look to tweak Astros

• Footer wraps up Astros' season HOUSTON -- One year ago, a newly anointed general manager was handed the reigns of the Astros, with instructions from ownership to put together a competitive team on the big league level while rebuilding the farm system. Considering the 2007 Houston team lost 89 games and the organization as a whole was ranked 30th of 30 teams by Baseball America, Ed Wade knew he had work to do. Wade overturned the roster practically from top to bottom while leaving the small nucleus of talent intact. He began maneuvering the roster days after the end of the World Series, and by the time Spring Training started, half of the more than 50 participants were brand new to the organization. Wade again will look to improve the club, but it's likely he'll exercise more restraint than a year ago. This time around, the... [read full story]