Jose de jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Astros have renewed outfielder Hunter Pence’s contract for 2009 for $450,000. 

It sounds like the front office is trying to work out a deal to pay Pence more, and the deal may be finalized by March 11, 2009.  Pence definitely deserves more than that.

If Pence stays in the majors the whole year—which lord help us if he doesn’t—he will be eligible for arbitration in 2010.