Mills and coaches respond

Hey, so there are some responses to the new hirings made by the Astros...

Mills:
I'm very happy to be able to put a staff like this together. We're getting experience, knowledge and guys that have a passion for the game. They know how to teach a team. I think it's going to be a great staff.

Wade, on Arnsberg:
Brad's got great credentials. We were really excited when we found out he was available. There were some unresolved issues, and they gave him a chance to go out and look around, and he very quickly moved up to the top of our list, and we were able to bring it to closure. He has a lot of experience with young pitchers and veterans.

Go ahead and count Cito Gaston as the unresolved issue - an issue which I'm hoping we'll hear from some of our friends in Toronto about.

Arnsberg:
I am elated and excited to join the Astros family. I want to give a special thanks to the Toronto Blue Jays for everything they have done for me over the last five years and for understanding that I am closing one chapter of my life and opening another. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the amount of confidence that [owner] Drayton McLane, Ed Wade, Brad Mills and [assistant general manager] Dave Gottfried had in me to entrust me with this group of Astros pitchers, and I promise not to let them down.

Al Pedrique:
I'm very happy and thrilled that Brad Mills has given the opportunity and the Astros have given me the chance to work with Brad Mills, and I'm sure it's going to be an exciting year. I know we have a lot of work to do, and it's an important part of the job. Mills is doing a great job putting the coaching staff together, and I'm sure there will be a good chance to hopefully turn this organization around.

Man, I hope that everyone first- and last-names him all season long. For as long as I can stand it, I will refer to our new manager as solely "Brad Mills."

Brad Mills on Bobby Meacham:
Having a guy with Bobby's knowledge and expertise working with our infielders and to have his experience as a Major League coach is extremely valuable.

Wade, on the endorsement Meacham got from Brian Cashman:
I made several phone calls because I was familiar with his career, but I didn't have any first-hand knowledge of Bobby. Brian said he's one of the classiest guys he's ever been around. I have respect for what Brian has done in New York, obviously. Knowing that Millsie felt strongly about him made it easy for us.

Yeah, because Cashman doesn't have much else going on right now...