MLB

Houston Astros Roster Report

SportsXchange Feed
Share This Story

Updated Dec 11, 2009 6:01 AM ET
     
 
The Astros are in flux as they try to find a manager who will be willing to manage a team GM Ed Wade has admitted must get younger next year, partly for economic reasons.

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.

ARRIVALS: RHP Matt Lindstrom (trade with Marlins), 3B Pedro Feliz (free agent from Phillies), RHP Brandon Lyon (free agent from Tigers), OF Jason Bourgeois (claimed off waivers from Brewers).

DEPARTURES: RHP LaTroy Hawkins (free agent, signed with Brewers), C Chris Coste (free agent, signed with Mets).

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

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 declined arbitration and will get big money elsewhere, and Tejada figures to draw some interest from other teams, too.

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.
Tagged: Astros

Related Stories

FOX Fantasy Baseball Game 2012


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

MLB Videos

Morosi: AL spring training headlines Posted: Feb 09, 2012
FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi discusses all the AL headlines heading into spri...

Morosi: NL spring training headlines Posted: Feb 09, 2012
FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi discusses all the NL headlines going into spring...

MLB2K12 - Verlander on Verlander Posted: Feb 08, 2012
Justin Verlander loses his mind playing himself on MLB2K12.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »
SimLeague Baseball - Simulation Baseball Game

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Cubs/browse/featuredproduct/250780/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_250000/FF_250780_xl.jpg&w=100 49.95 Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue
    Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Red_Sox/browse/featuredproduct/605356/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605356_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt
    New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/605557/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605557_xl.jpg&w=100 16.95 New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat
    Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oakland_Athletics/browse/featuredproduct/606322/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606322_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt
    Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Philadelphia_Phillies/browse/featuredproduct/626447/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_626000/ff_626447_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet
    New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Colorado_Rockies/browse/featuredproduct/644117/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_644000/ff_644117_xl.jpg&w=100 28.95 New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat
    Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Texas_Rangers/browse/featuredproduct/722692/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722692_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch
    Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/723016/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_723000/ff_723016_xl.jpg&w=100 39.95 Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoo..
    Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim/browse/featuredproduct/777026/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_777000/ff_777026_xl.jpg&w=100 99.95 Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft