HOUSTON -- Astros manager Brad Mills knows the club isn't going to light up the free-agent market by signing big names this offseason.
However, the Astros have chosen to go down a different path with the hope of catching lightning in a bottle through minor league deals.
Houston has inked a total of 11 players (three former high picks) to minor league deals, which includes an invitation to Spring Training.
With several low-risk, potential high-reward options, Houston may get a surprise or two that emerges out of the collective group.
"I think it's been good, because we've been very aggressive," Mills said. "When the signing period began, we jumped right in and were able to get in with these guys. We didn't wait. To get some talented players who are former first-round picks is something we're looking forward to seeing as a staff in Spring Training.
"It helps to give some stability in the organization."
For Mills and his staff, it's a challenge to evaluate the 40-man roster, as well as the non-roster invitees, over the course of Spring Training in order to piece together the right Opening Day roster.
"A lot of times, you have to make some real tough decisions quickly," Mills said. "Sometimes, it might not be fair, but that's what we have to work with. In a way, it is fair. We have those 30 games in Spring Training. We also have the week where we have the full squad there and the week with the pitchers before that. There are a lot of evaluations going on at each turn.
"We want these guys to get in shape. When we start to play in games, they must show us right off the bat what they can do."
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