KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Hi everyone ... time for another installment of the mailbag. I wanted to take this time to thank the more than 200 of you who sent in condolence e-mails to Milo Hamilton. He will receive each and every one of them when he arrives to Florida on Monday.

What's up with the new logos on the hats? Is this just something special for Spring Training or is it new for this year? -- Dee S., Garland, Texas

Actually, both. The hats, which depict a state of Texas patch with the Astros logo on top, are new and the uniformed personnel will be wearing them throughout Spring Training. They will also serve as the batting practice caps during the regular season.

The hats will be on sale only in the team shop in Kissimmee during Spring Training. They will be available when the exhibition games start next week. When the Astros return to Houston, the hats will go on sale at Minute Maid Park and online.

Who else can the Astros get for hitting? Since we lost Jeff Kent and now Carlos Beltran, we need at least one more good hitter. I'm not sold on Mike Lamb just yet. Also, who could the Astros get before the trading deadline? And who would you be willing to see part ways with the Astros to receive a good hitter in exchange? -- Paul S., Houston

The Astros would like to obtain a solid hitter, preferably a center fielder, during the course of Spring Training. Currently, no one has emerged who fits what the Astros are looking for.

I'm completely sold on Lamb offensively. He's a terrific hitter, and he's left-handed, which makes him even more valuable. The Astros are going to take a look at him in the outfield this spring to see if they might be able to find more playing time for him that way.

It's way too early to tell who may be available at the trading deadline, and it's also too early to gauge what the Astros may need at that time. They may be fine offensively by then but could use some help in the pitching department. We'll have to see how the season plays out before we can make an assessment.

The Astros have a few pitchers vying for that fifth starter's job who are also out of options on their contract, which means they either have to make the team or risk being traded or released. Tim Redding, Brandon Duckworth and Pete Munro fit into that category. So I would say they are the names that come to mind in terms of trade bait.

Much like any Astros fan, I was blown away last year by Lamb. But I have always liked Morgan Ensberg. I would love to see them both in the lineup! If Chris Burke doesn't work out at second, is it possible that the more agile Ensberg play second, and Lamb play third? -- JJ C., College Station, Texas

Lamb and Ensberg will not be considered for second base. If Burke struggles, Craig Biggio would step in at second. Ensberg is considered the starting third baseman, while Lamb will be tried out in the outfield. The Astros are in agreement with you -- they'd love to have Ensberg and Lamb in the lineup at the same time.

Now that we traded John Buck to the Royals, who will be the catcher of the future for the Astros? -- Stephen, Columbus, Texas

Hector Gimenez is the top catching prospect, but the Astros are not yet ready to tab him as the sure-fire catcher of the future. They'll need to see what he does this year in the minor leagues.

If Gimenez doesn't step in as the No. 1 catcher next year and Brad Ausmus retires, I would venture to guess the club will look outside of the organization for a frontline catcher. Raul Chavez will continue to be a solid backup.

What's the word on Roy Oswalt's nagging rib injury? Is it fully healed? Will it have lingering effects? -- Joe L.

Last year, when Oswalt was battling the injury, doctors told him 20 days or so of rest would likely remedy the problem. Obviously, Oswalt didn't have a spare 20 days to rest the intercostal strain, so he took a series of numbing shots to get him through the latter part of the season.

An offseason of rest appears to have taken care of the problem. Oswalt said he's going to pace himself this spring and not push himself before it's time, but I wouldn't anticipate any lingering problems when the regular season starts.

People keep saying Lamb is probably not an option for the outfield because he has little experience. How much prior experience did Biggio have before moving to center when Kent came? He seems to have done alright. -- Tom S.

Good point, Tom. Biggio had played only a handful of games in the outfield before he took over center field full time in 2003. But I've been watching Biggio play since 1997, and I've always said he's one of the best, and most determined, all-around athletes I've ever watched. Every Major Leaguer is obviously talented, but Biggio has a little something extra. When he moved to center, I thought if anyone can do this, it's him.

I believe Lamb could be a decent outfielder, and we'll find out more on that subject as Spring Training progresses.

I have begun to think the Astros fans have forgotten one of the major reasons for the Astros' turnaround last year. The Beltran trade was great but, and I think more importantly, Jim Hickey and Gary Gaetti worked miracles with some players who just were not performing. The coaches we had were not getting the job done and these two men made it happen. How long are the coaches' contracts and do you think they'll be extended? As younger and younger talent comes up from the minors we will get to see these great coaches work their magic. -- Billy V.

Certainly, all of the coaches, and the manager, receive some credit for the Astros' amazing turnaround last year. I believe Gaetti and Hickey were hugely valuable because they coached many of the Astros players in the minor leagues and were very familiar with them when they got to Houston.

Ask Adam Everett who helped him become a good Major League hitter, and he'll heap the credit on Gaetti. And lots of young pitchers have spent more time with Hickey than any other coach.

Coaches' contracts are renewed on a yearly basis. That announcement usually comes in the last weekend of the season or immediately after the season is over.