HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 22: Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow waits near the batting cage prior to the start of the game against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park on April 22, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Houston (CBS Houston) – The Astros are now on TV and hope to continue to spend to improve the team in the future like they did this offseason.

At the introduction of outfielder Colby Rasmus, general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch talked about the new-look team and what they expect from the future.

Luhnow spent time thanking the ownership for giving the team the resources to go out and acquire important players this offseason via free agency such as Luke Gregorson, Pat Neshek, Jed Lowrie, and most recently Colby Rasmus.

He thinks the investments in these players will pay dividends for the Astros this upcoming season.

Luhnow also expects the team to be players for free agents in the future as well.

“I do think it has been a nice position to be in, and the fact we have a TV deal in place and I think our fans are starting to get excited and they’re going to want to come check out what we’ve done.

“It all should build a what I call a virtuous cycle where we increase our revenues and we are able to increase our payroll the next year beyond that.”

The team is considered a team “capable of being a winning team” by Luhnow and said although they play in a tough division there are high expectations for the team in 2015.

“Dangerous” Lineup

Rasmus adds another potentially offensive stud to a growing list of exceptional hitters in the Astros lineup. Evan Gattis and Luis Valbuena each possess pop in their bat along with Rasmus who hit 63 homers in the past three years.

The team will return Chris Carter who finished with the second most home runs in the league last year. A presumably healthy George Springer would be another big fly threat. Jon Singleton posses immense power if he can figure out major league pitching. Not to mention Jason Castro who was one of the better hitting catchers two years ago.

It all leads to a word both Rasmus and Hinch both used to describe the team.

Dangerous.

“We’re a dangerous lineup right now,” Hinch said. “And I think that’s difficult on the opponent…It keeps you in games, if you are trialing in games.”

Hinch went on to say “the longer the lineup the better” in reference to his team’s potential high hitting prowess at seemingly every position.

Rasmus listed off various players he is excited to now call teammates and went on to say he thinks of “damage” when he thinks about the potential of the team now. He went on to call the offense potentially “very dangerous.”

Concern with a K

The offense is potentially prolific but they do possess the potential to again be historically bad at striking out.

2013 saw the Astros hitters as the league leaders in strikeouts. 2014 the team improved by only a slight margin, finishing next to last.

With so many power hitters added to the roster, and a possible full season of Springer who has had issues striking out, the risk of the Astros eclipsing their 2013 mark is there.

Luhnow showed little concern for the potential issue.

“It’s something that we think about but at the end of the day we are going to produce 27 outs each game no matter what.”

Luhnow said the swing and miss potential is there for hitters who have power but it would be up to the coaching staff to “minimize the negative effect and maximize the positives” of the power-heavy lineup.

Hinch wasn’t stressing over the issue either.

“We haven’t struck out yet,” he joked. “It’s certainly a topic we are going to be aware of.”

He said the staff wouldn’t obsess over strikeouts but would keep it in mind.

Player Versatility

Luhnow said he wanted to give new manager A.J. Hinch plenty of different choices heading into spring training. Almost all the outfielders can play every spot in the outfield and plenty of infielders, including the newly acquired Luis Valbuena, can play at different infield positions as well.

The versatility is a blessing but it leaves a lot up in the air heading into spring. He said a lot of the positions will be determined in spring training.

“We’re not going to be able to tell you who is playing where at this point, because we don’t really know,” Luhnow said. “We do know we’ve got enough players to have a good lineup one through nine, and we’ve got enough players that can play enough positions defensively that we’re going to have a good defense as well.”

Farewell to Corporan

The Astros dealt catcher Carlos Corporan to the Rangers today but before the move Luhnow was very complimentary of the former Astros backstop.

“He’s been a great member of this community and this team.” he said of Corporan.

He mentioned how great of a person he was and how the catcher was always willing to volunteer for community events.

Luhnow said it is hard to part with players like him but it shows the Astros are growing up and heaped praise on Hank Conger who was acquired earlier this offseason.

Future of the Firsts

Manager A.J. Hinch said there is “no doubt” 2013 first overall pick Mark Appel will factor in to the Astros as some point, but he stressed making sure players are ready to come up.

“When young players are breaking in,” he said, “talent will help them get here and the environment is what helps facilitate their success here.”

Hinch said he hopes to create a difficult team for any player to break into because they are talented evey where.

He also mentioned how unfortunate it was 2012 first overall section Carlos Correa was injured last year but said he is looking forward to seeing him in camp. He added the last bit of Correa’s development is not finished yet.

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