Astros' Offseason So Far

As I stated in the first post, I'll be talking about alot of baseball most likely in this blog. Most of that discussion will revolve around my favorite team, the Astros.

The Astros entered this offseason with questions at plenty of positions. They knew that they needed an impact bat to help protect Lance Berkman, and actually achieved that in the signing of Carlos Lee. I agree, 6 years at $100 million is a bit much, but this year's offseason has been absolutely insane as far as pricing goes. The Astros also acquired Woody Williams, a veteran pitcher who has always pitched well in Minute Maid Park. However, a few holes in the armor remain, and depending on whom you talk to, they are either merely kinks or gaping chasms.

Major Hole #1: 3rd base - 3rd Base was a major let down in the '06 season, with Morgan Ensberg turning in a .235 BA performance, and the mid-season addition Aubrey Huff didn't do too much better, with a .250 clip himself. The current situation is an interesting one: Huff is an Free Agent and will likely command a multi-year contract perhaps less than $10 million a season. Ensberg, a cheaper option, is widely inconsistent at times: His '05 and '06 campaigns provide the best example of this. Mike Lamb is also on the club, a left handed batter who is the weakest of the three in the field.

Huff would provide the Astros with a proven left handed bat availible to hit in the middle of the order, and also can play 1B, 3B and the corner OF positions. Lamb also is an option at 1B, while Ensberg's defense is utilized best at 3B. Another thing usually forgotten is Huff is the youngest of the three men.

Personally, I would resign Huff to a 3 or 4 year contract, possibly the last of those being an option year, if possible. This would allow Ensberg to be used in potential trades for bullpen or starting pitching help, although only a bullpen arm would be a useful trade at this point. This is one of the avenues: The other, and most likely of the two, is to not sign Huff and let Ensberg play this upcoming season. If Ensberg faulters, he will most likely be traded by the deadline, and Lamb would play at the 3rd for the remainder of the season.

Major Hole #2 : A viable #2 starter - A giant problem was caused last Friday by Andy Pettitte's decision to make a return trip to New York. With no Pettitte, the projected #2 is Woody Williams. Williams is a fine pitcher, no doubt, but in this era of his career, he is better suited for the #3 or #4 slot in the rotation. The Astros basically have three routes: Sign a remaining Free Agent pitcher, trade for a starter, or ride it out with an extra youngester in the rotation.

Option #1: Signing a Free Agent - Certainly the most pricey route as far as funds, given the way the market has gone this offseason, it might cost Uncle Drayton a pretty penny to acquire a pitcher. The problem is that there really isn't a bonafide #2 in the current market besides the supposed top pitcher in this market, Barry Zito (Actually there is two, but I'll get into that in a moment). Zito is a fine pitcher, with a Cy Young on his resumé and a durable starter. Zito was a third of the finest young 1/2/3 rotation since Atlanta's Maddux/Galvine/Smoltz of the 90's. Zito, along with Tim Hudson and Mark Mudler, were very dominate for the few years that they were together in Oakland. But, releastically, Zito is not joining the Astros. His agent, Scott Boras, is not liked by many GM's, and McLane most likely hates the man, as he handcuffed the Astros in the '04 offseason with Beltran's contract. Zito also wants $16 million over 6 years, which is crazy to begin with.

So, where does this leave the Astros? I believe three pitchers should be on their radar: Mark Mulder, Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan.

Mark Mulder: Out of these three men, Mulder certainly has the proven track record. The left handed power pitcher was a #1/2 in Oakland for the years when he was with Huddy and Zito, and has great stuff. The major catch with Mulder is that his '06 season was pretty much a lost cause, hampered with shoulder problems and ending with shoulder surgery. I believe that Mulder would be the cheapest option of the three men, and more into signing a shorter term deal. Mulder I believe also has the best upside of the three men. Certainly the riskiest of the three pitchers, I think the Astros should try to sign him with a one year contract, with a possible 2nd option.

Jeff Weaver: This lanky right hander made quite a bit of money for himself due to his performance in the Cardinals' run to the championship. Pretty much an underachiever during his career, Weaver showed everyone his true potential on the biggest stage. I think Weaver is the least likely of the men to sign with the Astros, given his agent is Scott Boras, which is pretty much a rock block when it comes to the Astros. I think he'll also be asking for too much money that the Astros won't want to give.

Jeff Suppan: The NLCS MVP this year, and also beat Roger Clemens in Game 7 of the '04 NLCS. Probably the best big game pitcher out of this bunch, he always seems to turn it up an extra notch in the postseason. He'll also likely command a big pay day, probably less than Boras' Weaver, however. Not exactly a #2 either, but he should be able to handle the #2 billing.

Option #2: Trading for a #2 - The pricest option as far as the player talent and future of the organization are concerned. The Astros would have to part with some of their talent, with Willy Taveras, Jason Hirsh, Chris Burke, and Taylor Buchholz often coming up in trade rumors. Two pitchers are been more linked to the Astros than any others this offseason: Jason Jennings and Jon Garland.

Jason Jennings: The earliest trade rumor, and still the most likely of happening. Jennings managed to get under a 4.00 ERA pitching the majority of his games in Coors Field, which is a feat to say the least. Jennings also has a 2:1 K:BB ratio for his career, and is also only 27. The price for Jennings I've heard has ranged just from Chris Burke to Willy Taveras and Jason Hirsh.

Jon Garland: Mentioning this because the Astros said the deal is not dead, but I believe it all but is. The Astros blew it big when they announced it prematurely before the deal was finalized, and it was called off. Garland's produced two back to back fine seasons in the Windy City, and is also a younger option than Pettitte was. Apparently, this supposed deal hurt Pettitte's feelings enough to pursue the Yankees, but I don't honestly believe that.

Out of these two options, Jennings is the best chance of succeeding.

Option #3: Sticking with the youth- The Astros have talent in the pitching category as far as young minor leaguers. Jason Hirsh, Chris Sampson, Taylor Buchholz, Matt Albers and Troy Patton are all above average pitchers in the minor league level. If no one is traded or acquired via FA, these kids will have to step up and earn their keep in the Majors.

Out of all these options, I'd rank them in actually happening for the upcoming season: Sticking with the Youth > Jennings > Suppan > Mulder > Weaver > Garland

Of course, this is all my personal option, and I'm by no means a baseball expert. Hoped you enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed typing it up!