Longtime San Diego Padres second baseman Mark Loretta, who spent last year hitting up a storm with the Boston Red Sox, will sign a deal with the Astros today, his agent told ESPN.com. The deal is a one year, 2.5 million dollar contract that could be worth an extra million in incentives if Loretta continues the kind of break-out hitting and defense he showed off last year as part of the league-leading defense of the Red Sox.

Loretta was fielding multiple offers this off-season, including one from the Astros rival Texas Rangers, who offered more money, but Loretta decided Houston provided the better opportunity. He'll play "all over the infield", says his agent, for Houston, since of course Craig Biggio will be our starting second baseman. (Just as he was in our very first Astros game...in 1991. But that's another story). Loretta, who has a career average of .299, was also linked with the Yankees, where he might have moved to first base, this off-season.

His .987 career fielding percentage and strong bat are exciting news for Astros fans, especially in the wake of losing pitcher Andy Pettite and the uncertainty over Roger Clemens' return.