Biggio re-signed for $5.15 million. You know, Clemens and Pettitte could learn a thing or two from Biggio. Bidge always seems to get his deals doen early. Whether it's because he has fewer demands, or because he knows he wants the team to worry about other deals, it is nice that he doesn't cause us the wait-and-wonder grief that Clemens and Pettitte like so much. Pettitte, by the way, indicated he's leaning toward retirement. I don't think it's the case. I think he's just trying to drag this thing out.

More rumors...

The Denver Post suggested Chris Burke as a possible trade candidate to the Rockies (for Jason Jennings?). Burke is a solid player, but he'll be 27 in March, so he's no spring chicken. He only put up a .765 OPS last year, but did hurt his shoulder in Colorado. Maybe the Rockies were impressed when he separated his shoulder at Coors Field. He's never had a full-time position to himself, so I guess no one really knows what he's fully capable of.

Jack will like this latest Rotoworld snippet:

Fernando Nieve, who spent the second half of last season as a reliever, is expected to be tried again as a starter next spring. If the Astros can't retain either Roger Clemens or Andy Pettitte, they'll be looking for two veterans to put behind Roy Oswalt and then they'll fill the other two slots with youngsters. Jason Hirsh, Nieve and Taylor Buchholz would likely be the favorites for the openings, with Matt Albers, Wandy Rodriguez, Chris Sampson and Ezequiel Astacio also serving as candidates.

Nieve's good. I think he only had two plus pitches, his fastball and slider, but if he can work in one or two more decent pitches, maybe The Snowman has a future in the rotation. His stats weren't terrific (4.20 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 70 K, 41 BB, 18 HR in 96 1/3 innings), but he's young and talented. Let's see what he's got.