Shortly after signing a contract to join the Astros, Kaz Matsui spoke Sunday of what an honor it is to replace "the great Mr. Biggio" as the club's starting second baseman. Meanwhile, Chris Burke, who for the past three seasons has awaited his chance to supplant retired 20-year veteran Craig Biggio, spoke of the disappointment of learning the job was going to someone else. "I had been given the impression I was going to be given the chance to win that job," Burke said. "Obviously, they made it very clear early on they were going after a second baseman, and once I saw that I was prepared for anything." The Astros' signing of the former Japanese star to a three-year, $16.5-million contract paves the way for the Astros to trade Burke, and General Manager Ed Wade said he would try to deal the club's 2001 first-round draft pick.