Following the 1996 season, the Houston Astros were looking to make some changes. They were coming off an 82-80 season in the final year under manager Terry Collins and had replaced him with franchise legend Larry Dierker. They also swung a big trade in December to acquire Brad Ausmus and others from Detroit.
On December 10, GM Gerry Hunsicker sent Doug Brocail, Brian Hunter, Todd Jones and Orlando Miller to the Tigers in exchange for Ausmus, Jose Lima, Trever Miller, C.