Curbing attendance losses:
Jim Crane predicts this is the year the attendance stops dropping, which it has been and rather rapidly since 2007, when it was 46 percent higher than in 2011. How much will BYO food and water and some cheaper tickets help? (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)
Catchers' health:
The position has the potential to be a huge upgrade from 2011 if Jason Castro (pictured) and Chris Snyder can stay healthy with three surgeries between them in the past 13 months. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
A Chris Johnson resurgence?
He had the best spring of any Astros position player to win the job at third base and could really extend the lineup if that was more than just a tease. If not, will we see a Brett Wallace return on the other corner? (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
Evaluating Brad Mills:
He enters the final year of his contract 132-192, and while it's clear that he's had little talent to work with, new management at every level besides the field level can often be bad news for the manager. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
A new old closer:
Because it's not really new to Brett Myers, who closed for the NL East champion Phillies in 2007. But after the Astros had the worst save percentage in the majors last year, stability at the back end is clearly paramount. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
Trading deadline:
The Astros would love a hot start from Carlos Lee (pictured), Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers (pictured), certainly because the veterans must produce to have any shot, but also to make them attractive at the deadline and continue the rebuilding and unloading of big contracts. (Patrick T Fallon / Houston Chronicle)
Next man up:
It's a virtual guarantee that the Astros won't go the whole season with just five pitchers, whether it's because of injury, ineffectiveness or trades. This meaning a shot to see the debut of Paul Clemens, who wowed in spring training, as well as a few others in a Class AAA Oklahoma City rotation worth watching. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
No. 1 pick:
Coming off the worst season in the majors has one benefit, and the future face of the franchise will be introduced to Houston on June 4 and must sign by the newly accelerated deadline of July 15. Pictured is Stephen Strasburg, 2009's No. 1 pick, taken by the Nationals. (Lenny Ignelzi / AP)
Progression of top prospects:
Class AA Corpus Christi is the affiliate to watch with Jonathan Singleton, Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Villar (pictured) and others just two steps away from the majors - or with enough prowess at the "proving ground level" of AA, maybe just one step away. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
Farewell to the NL:
Appropriately, the Astros' five September road series before their move to the American League are at the five National League Central rivals, including former Astros star Lance Berkman's Cardinals. On a more practical note, it's a big year to figure out how to weave a designated hitter into their plans going forward. (Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle)
LOS ANGELES ? Outfielder Justin Ruggiano didn?t wind up making an impact with the Astros in 2012, but the team is hoping he?ll help them indirectly in the future.
The Astros traded Ruggiano for to the Miami Marlins for minor-league catching prospect Jobduan Morales, general manager Jeff Luhnow announced on Saturday.
The switch-hitting Morales, 20, is a ninth-round 2009 draft choice who has spent this season in extended spring training and will report the Astros? extended spring training complex in Kissimmee, Fla., before receiving his club assignment. He spent most of 2011 with Jamestown in the New York-Penn League (rookie), batting .272 with four home runs, 23 RBIs and a .385 on-base percentage in 52 games.
Ruggiano, 30, is a Texas A&M alum who came to Astros spring training as a non-roster invitee. Assigned to Class AAA Oklahoma City coming out of camp, Ruggiano batted .325 with five home runs and 29 RBIs in 39 games.
With the Marlins having lost center fielder Emilio Bonifacio for four to six weeks because of a left thumb injury that required surgery, they turned to Ruggiano for outfield depth. Ruggiano got 195 at-bats with the Tampa Bay Rays for 2007-2001, posting a .226/.262/.359 batting line with six home runs and 23 RBIs.
steve.campbell@chron.com
Twitter.com/CampbellChron
Ruggiano, 30, is a Texas A&M alum who came to Astros spring training as a non-roster invitee. Assigned to Class AAA Oklahoma City coming out of camp, Ruggiano batted .325 with five home runs and 29 RBIs in 39 games.
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