By SCOTT BROWN
Florida Today

We know Christmas is the time of miracles and all, but think Houston Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker overdid it last week? At a news conference where Jeff Kent was introduced as the newest Astro, Hunsicker opened by saying, "If any of you that came here today didn't believe in miracles, I would ask you to rethink that."

Miraculous may be a little strong to describe Kent's signing with Houston.

It did, however, come as a surprise.

Especially since Kent didn't come into the picture until the end of the winter meetings.

By then, Kent, who lived in Austin for eight years and owns a ranch near San Antonio, had instructed his agent to let the Astros know of his interest in playing for Houston.

Less than a week later, the former San Francisco Giant and the Astros had agreed on a two-year deal worth $18.2 million with a club option for a third year at $9 million.

The Astros were so excited about signing Kent, who has posted six consecutive 100-RBI seasons, that left fielder Lance Berkman showed up at the Wednesday news conference.

First baseman Jeff Bagwell would have been there, as well, Hunsicker said, but his pregnant wife was expected to go into labor at any moment.

Craig Biggio did not show at Minute Maid Park.

But not because Kent's arrival bumps the four-time Gold Glove winner from second base to the outfield.

Biggio, who was hunting Wednesday, told the Houston Chronicle he welcomed the addition of Kent because it gives the team a better chance to win.

"He knows we made ourselves a lot better with this move," said Hunsicker, whose team finished 13 games behind St. Louis last year in the NL Central.

"This decision was not about we get a better second baseman than the one we have now. This is about making the Houston Astros better. I don't see why Craig won't work out in the outfield. He's just too good an athlete."

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Head scratcher: The deal had salary dump written all over it.

What is perplexing about Atlanta's trade of 18-game winner Kevin Millwood for a backup catcher is it makes a division rival that much stronger.

The Braves had to trade one of their starting pitchers after Greg Maddux accepted arbitration. But Philadelphia is one of the last teams that figured to get one of those pitchers, in this case Millwood.

Not only are the Phillies, who gave up 26-year-old Bobby Estrada, one of the Braves' rivals in the National League East. Prior to the trade, they had already vastly improved themselves by signing Jim Thome and David Bell.

Maybe the Braves, who have won 11 consecutive NL East titles, want a little competition this year.

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Godzilla in Gotham: The New York Yankees will conduct a rather expensive experiment this season.

They will see if a Japanese power hitter can make it in the Major Leagues.

Ichiro Suzuki may have won the American League MVP Award in his first season, but he did it as a table-setter.

Hideki Matsui, who is nicknamed "Godzilla," will be expected to clear the table in New York.

Matsui, who signed a three-year, $21 million contract, should get plenty of opportunities with Alfonso Soriano and Derek Jeter at the top of the Yankees lineup.

Another thing that will help him in New York City: Since Matsui uses an interpreter, he probably won't be able to read the tabloids skewering him if he slips into a prolonged slump.

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Taking the high road: The question may as well have been a belt-high fastball.

And with a chance to lay into former Giants teammate Barry Bonds, Kent instead praised him.

"Barry Bonds is a phenomenal player, by far the best player I ever played with," Kent said. "Barry and I had a mutual respect that most people don't understand." Reports often portrayed the two as chummy as Ken Starr and Bill Clinton.

Just as Kent did not take any parting shots at Bonds, nor did he take any at the Giants.

The two sides negotiated almost until Kent signed with Houston. However, Kent said the Giants pressured him to make a quick decision.

When the 2000 National League MVP didn't, San Francisco signed second baseman Ray Durham and then third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, paving his way to Houston.

No hard feelings, Kent said.

"For me," Kent said, "I wanted a clear opportunity in a place that wanted me to help them get to the next level and this is it."

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Scott Brown covers baseball for Florida Today. E-mail him at sbrown@flatoday.net