http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7...162&ATT=49
Despite Drayton McLane's reputation for frugality, the Astros do spend a lot (at least some seasons), and aren't very good. Their minor league system is pretty bare of position players now that Pence is up.
Trading Hirsch for Jennings, letting Biggio bat leadoff in an effort to get him to 3000 despite his total inability to get on-base in the past two season, signing scrubs like Woody Williams and expecting them to make serious contributions = justified firings to me.
I don't see this team being better than mediocre for the next season or two, though. There aren't really any big ticket, fate-changing free agents available this offseason, and with the exception of Troy Patton, I don't think they have much developing within.