Houston Astros Update: Club Signs Delino DeShields, Activates Geoff Blum

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 [e-mail]