s sights on Olympic gold in Rio, where he will be looking to upset the favourite, French world record holder Renaud Lavillenie.The 22-year-old is one of Canadas top medal hopes for the Games. Bor

HOUSTON -- Astros manager A.J. Hinch politely answered question after question Monday about what went wrong this season before he was finally asked how he was dealing with his team missing the postseason a year after reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2005.Im not handling it very well at all, the Astros second-year manager said. I hate losing ... I dont like being here and having this meeting when I know a game is being played tomorrow. But Im proud of the fact that 84 wins isnt good enough.The Astros took a step back this season after a surprising trip to the ALDS in 2015, forced to play catch up after going 7-17 in April. They remained in the wild-card hunt until the last weekend of the season, but injuries to key members of the rotation and several role players became too much to overcome.Houston has one of baseballs best middle infields with second baseman Jose Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa, but its seeking upgrades at first base and in the outfield.I think were well positioned for next year, general manager Jeff Luhnow said. There are very few organizations of the 30 that have quite as exciting a young core to build around. Thats our job this offseason, is to put in some complementary pieces to add to the guys that we have that were excited about.The Astros went 84-78 a year after finishing 86-76, giving them consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2005-06. Of course, after years or rebuilding, over .500 isnt the target anymore.Our goal next year is to win the division and do some serious damage in the playoffs, Luhnow said. Theres nothing short of that thats going to satisfy us.Some things to know as the Astros wrap the 2016 season:AWESOME ALTUVE: Altuve had another MVP-caliber season in 2016. He won the AL batting title for the second time in three seasons by hitting .338 and got his third straight 200-hit season with an AL-leading 216. He hit 42 doubles and stole 30 bases, and his five triples, 24 homers and 96 RBI were all career highs.The 26-year-old Altuve is the first second baseman to win multiple batting titles since Rod Carew won five from 1969-75.I just wonder how he can get any better, Luhnow said. Hes really done an unbelievable job of setting goals for himself and improving his game in every way that he possibly could. Hes one of the best players in the American League, the best players in the game and were just happy to have him here.KEUCHEL STRUGGLES: Ace Dallas Keuchel had a tough season a year after winning the AL Cy Young Award. The left-hander went 9-12 with a 4.55 ERA after finishing 2015 a career-best 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA. He looked sharper in August but was shut down after a start on Aug. 27 because of shoulder inflammation and didnt pitch again. Luhnow said he isnt worried about Keuchel and expects him to bounce back next season.CORREAS GROWTH: The top overall pick in the 2012 draft had a solid sophomore campaign after winning AL Rookie of the Year in 2015. He hit .274 with 20 homers and 96 RBI despite playing the last weeks of the season with a shoulder injury.Correa turned 22 in September, and the Astros are pleased with his development this season.Correa, though, is disappointed he failed to do more in 2016.Carlos Correa will probably never live up to his own expectations, Hinch said. Im not sure youre ever going to live up to the hype, but when the dust settles and we look back at this season, well look back at it as a growth season for him, as a productive season and a step in the right direction.RASMUS DONE IN HOUSTON? OF Colby Rasmus was Houstons highest-paid player this season, making $15.8 million, but batted just .206 in 107 games while dealing with various injuries. Rasmus is eligible for free agency, and although Luhnow wouldnt say definitively, he suggested Houston was unlikely to retain the 30-year-old.He still has value to major league teams and Im sure hell have an opportunity to sign somewhere, Luhnow said. But Im not sure how, or if, he fits into our plans at this point. Custom Kyler Murray Jersey . Vaives lawyer Trevor Whiffen claims the former 50-goal man wasnt provided with a copy of the claim beforehand and that he would not have agreed to the allegations made against the NHL had he been asked to review its contents. Custom Cardinals T-shirts . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.customcardinalsjersey.com/ . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Cardinals Jerseys China .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. Wholesale Custom Cardinals Shirts .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Shawn Barber Date of birth1994-05-27Birthplace Las Cruces (United States)Height191 cmWeight80.0 kgWorld Championships (1 medal: 1 gold)Pole vault: 1st (2015)Pan American Games (1 medal: 1 gold)Pole vault: 1st (2015)Pole vaults rising starAfter being crowned 2015 pole vault world champion in Beijing (5.90m), Shawn Barber has now set his sights on Olympic gold in Rio, where he will be looking to upset the favourite, French world record holder Renaud Lavillenie.The 22-year-old is one of Canadas top medal hopes for the Games. Born iin the United States, he followed in the footsteps of his father George, himself a talented pole vaulter.dddddddddddd. In 2014, he won bronze at the Commonwealth Games, before gold medals at the Pan American Games and the worlds in 2015.Though he can often be seen encouraging his rivals, Barber remains a fierce competitor. He kicked off his Olympic year by clearing 6.00m (a personal best) in January. ' ' '