Astros manager Brad Mills considered but ultimately rejected the idea of having Chris Johnson get in some work at first base in winter ball and spring training. Mills decided that Johnson would be best served to focus on third base in preparation of competing for the starting job there with Jimmy Paredes in spring training. "We've talked about putting him on the other side of the diamond at first base taking some ground balls," Mills said. "We don't want to muddy his mind a little bit. Let him go ahead and work at third, work on his hitting, growing, getting better."