by Sports Xchange

BIGGEST NEEDS: The Astros desperately need to improve their pitching. LHP Wandy Rodriguez and RHP Roy Oswalt are a quality 1-2 punch, but Oswalt is recovering from a bulging back disk that forced the club to shut him down in mid-September. There's no guarantee he will be as dominant as he has been in the past. After the top two starters, however, the Astros have rookie RHP Bud Norris and RHP Brian Moehler, who didn't win after Aug. 22. There's no way the club can compete with that rotation. And their bullpen could be rudderless if closer Jose Valverde leaves via free agency.

ARRIVAL: OF Jason Bourgeois (claimed off waivers from Brewers).

FREE AGENTS: RHP Jose Valverde, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, LHP Mike Hampton, SS Miguel Tejada, OF Darin Erstad, INF Aaron Boone, OF Jason Michaels, RHP Doug Brocail, C Chris Coste.

The Astros are looking to slash payroll, which means several players on this list -- including the big names like Valverde and Tejada -- could be gone. Valverde probably will get big money elsewhere, and Tejada figures to draw some interest from other teams, too. Coste became a free agent after being outrighted off the 40-man roster.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: CF Michael Bourn, LHP Tim Byrdak, 3B Jeff Keppinger, RF Hunter Pence, C Humberto Quintero, LHP Wandy Rodriguez, RHP Chris Sampson.

Rodriguez is the only arbitration-eligible Astro who might get a long-term contract.

IN LIMBO: Expect many teams to come calling about RF Hunter Pence, a first-time All-Star.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Roy Oswalt (degenerative back disk) is trying to strengthen his back this winter with trunk exercises. The ailment affected him the final month of the season and prompted the club to shut him down on Sept. 16.