Kuzul

November 15, 2010

PHOENIX—The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed utility infielder Geoff Blum to a two-year, $2.7-million deal.

New Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers wanted to strengthen the bench for 2011 and he did so with a familiar face.

“The signing of Geoff Blum is the first step in identifying how we can improve Kirk Gibson’s options off the bench next season,” Towers said in a statement. “Geoff is a veteran that can play nearly every position on the field while also having the experience of contributing to key situations late in the game as a pinch-hitter off of the bench.”

Let it be known that Blum was a player on the San Diego Padres from 2005-2007, and during that time the Padres had won two division titles and were a slide away from a third consecutive playoff appearance.

Towers clearly knows the formula to having a good bench.

“It’s hard for young guys to be effective pinch-hitters coming off the bench,” Towers said in late September. “If you don’t have that experience or those guys that are threats, it makes it pretty easy on the opposing manager, because he has no fear of anyone that is coming off the bench.”

Geoff Blum last year was a .267 hitter with 2 HR and 22 RBI in 202 AB.

This is clearly a step in the right direction for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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The Houston Astros have been beyond busy lately.

Less than a week after trading two of the biggest franchise players to ever don an Astros uniform, Houston had won seven games in a row—culminating with an 18-4 beat-down of St. Louis—before the Cardinals finally ended that streak with an 8-4 win over the Astros last night at Busch Stadium.

But wait, there’s more!

In addition to the seven-game win-steak that ended Wednesday night in St. Louis, the Astros have made a couple other major moves as well.

That includes finally signing first-round draft pick Delino DeShields to a Major League Baseball contract and activating infielder Geoof Blum .

For Astros fans, this latest news has to make them excited.

Plus, there are rumors floating around that Lance Berkman would like to return to Houston following his second-half stint with the New York Yankees .

As hard as it may be to see, the future appears bright for the Astros.

They are on a tear right now, even without ace Roy Oswalt and face-of-the-franchise Berkman, and they don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

“Drama’s over finally, now let’s play some ball against the BREWERS,” All-Star youngster outfielder Hunter Pence said via Twitter following the Berkman trade.

Pence, one of the very first—and very finest—athletes I have ever interviewed, is more than a star in Houston.

He is, believe it or not, becoming a new face-of-the-franchise.

Look at Pence, Michael Bourn , Jason Castro, and a handful of youthful infielders to soon replace what many referred to as the Killer-Bs for years.

Change is coming; and that doesn ’t mean Barack Obama is taking over the franchise.

But changes are heading Houston’s way nonetheless.

For fans, they can do nothing more than hope for the best.

However, if the present is any clear indication of the future whatsoever, there are plenty of reasons to be happy as an Astros fans.

Watch out, world. The young and gunning Houston Astros are aiming to begin making some noise in the majors as soon as possible.

And it may be a lot sooner than anyone expected…

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at denton.ramsey@gmail.com

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