Roster

[bigheadache]

Here is the Astros 40 man roster

Pitchers (20)

37 Matt Albers L/R 6-0 205 01/20/83
38 Ezequiel Astacio R/R 6-3 150 11/04/79
41 Brandon Backe R/R 6-0 195 04/05/78
66 Jimmy Barthmaier R/R 6-4 210 01/06/84
58 Dave Borkowski R/R 6-1 230 02/07/77
39 Taylor Buchholz R/R 6-4 220 10/13/81
-- Paul Estrada R/R 6-1 220 09/10/82
71 Juan Gutierrez R/R 6-3 200 07/14/83
53 Jason Hirsh R/R 6-8 250 02/20/82
54 Brad Lidge R/R 6-5 210 12/23/76
62 Mark McLemore L/L 6-2 220 10/09/80
47 Trever Miller R/L 6-3 200 05/29/73
64 Fernando Nieve R/R 6-0 195 07/15/82
44 Roy Oswalt R/R 6-0 185 08/29/77
55 Felipe Paulino Del Guidice R/R 6-2 180 10/05/83
50 Chad Qualls R/R 6-5 220 08/17/78
51 Wandy Rodriguez S/L 5-11 160 01/18/79
43 Chris Sampson R/R 6-1 190 05/23/78
35 Dan Wheeler R/R 6-3 220 12/10/77
29 Woody Williams R/R 6-0 200 08/19/66

Catchers (3)

11 Brad Ausmus R/R 5-11 190 04/14/69
56 Hector Gimenez S/R 5-10 180 09/28/82
46 Humberto Quintero R/R 5-9 215 08/02/79


Infielders (7)

17 Lance Berkman S/L 6-1 220 02/10/76
7 Craig Biggio R/R 5-11 185 12/14/65
10 Eric Bruntlett R/R 6-0 190 03/29/78
-- Brooks Conrad S/R 5-11 190 01/16/80
14 Morgan Ensberg R/R 6-2 220 08/26/75
28 Adam Everett R/R 6-0 170 02/05/77
26 Mike Lamb L/R 6-1 190 08/09/75

Outfielders (9)

20 Josh Anderson L/R 6-2 195 08/10/82
2 Chris Burke R/R 5-11 180 03/11/80
52 Charlton Jimerson R/R 6-3 210 09/22/79
16 Jason Lane R/L 6-2 220 12/22/76
45 Carlos Lee R/R 6-2 240 06/20/76
19 Orlando Palmeiro L/L 5-11 185 01/19/69
-- Mike Rodriguez L/L 5-10 180 10/15/80
30 Luke Scott L/R 6-0 210 06/25/78
1 Willy Taveras R/R 6-0 160 12/25/81


Thats 39 players currently on the 40 man roster. That leaves a spot open for a possible resigning of Pettitte or another veteran starting pitcher. If that is the case, it means the Astros have no plans on taking anyone in the Rule 5 draft.

As far as a 25 man roster, at the moment it would shape up as

CF Willy Taveras
2B Craig Biggio
1B Lance Berkman
LF Carlos Lee
3B Morgan Ensberg
RF Luke Scott
SS Adam Everett
C Brad Ausmus

OF Orlando Palmeiro
OF Jason Lane
IF Mile Lamb
IF Chris Burke
IF Eric Bruntlett
C Humberto Quintero

SP Roy Oswalt
SP Woody Williams
SP Jason Hirsch
SP Chris Sampson
SP Matt Albers

RP Brad Lidge
RP Dan Wheeler
RP Chad Qualls
RP Trevor Miller
RP Dave Barkowski
RP Fernando Nieve


That makes 11 pitchers and 14 position players. The Astros usually go with a 12/13 ratio.

[bedir than average]

It would seem that one of the three IF you have listed on the bench are most likely to be dropped for the 12th pitcher. Lamb seems necessary until Ensburg's health is assured and Burke just has too much value, would that make Bruntlett the odd man out?

[bigheadache]

Bruntlett is really the best option for backing up Everett at short. Lamb's defense is not good enough and Burke's arm is not strong enough. He may be the odd man out, but I don't think so.

I really think the Astros will try and make a trade. Probably either Palmeiro or Lane for a prospect. More likely Pameiro. The Astros may platoon Scott and Lane in RF (lefty/righty) depending on whether Scott is able to duplicate last years second half and if Lane can rebound from a dismal year.

The other possiblity is a multiplayer trade revolving around Ensberg for a starting pitcher and bringing Huff back to play 3rd. At this point, I think this is less likely. I do think Garner likes having Huff's left handed bat in the lineup.

I think the Astros will also try and get an answer from Pettitte on whether he will be returning next year by the end of the owner's meetings. If not, it will be time to look at other options. Possibly Suppan.

Just my opinion.

[aCutb]

I have heard reports that Purtpura may be shopping Willy T and be using Jason Lane in CF. I dont like this one bit. While Willy T may not be good at D for being as fast as he is, he is better than Lane in CF. (Lane is a good defensive RF.) If this trade happens our lineup up would be something like this.

C- Brad
1B- Lance
2B- Craig/Chris
SS- Adam
3B- Morgan/Mike/Aubrey?
LF- Carlos
CF- Jason/Chris
RF- Luke/Chris

I would only like this deal if somehow Dontrelle Willis was the pitcher we were looking at.

[bigheadache]

I doubt the Astros are actively shopping Taveras at this point. Defensively, he has developed into a very good centerfielder and his offense is getting better. Remember, he is not yet 25 (this month) and skipped AA. He's had to learn at the major league levels.

Several teams, including Florida have expressed interest in him. At this piont there is no reason to give him away. Any trade involving Taveras will have to help us in a big way eslewhere.

As for Lane, I expect he wil be the 4th outfielder on the team and a possible platoon in RF with Luke Scott. However, Lane will have to win that spot in Spring Training.

[aCutb]

Originally Posted by bigheadache

I doubt the Astros are actively shopping Taveras at this point. Defensively, he has developed into a very good centerfielder and his offense is getting better. Remember, he is not yet 25 (this month) and skipped AA. He's had to learn at the major league levels.

Several teams, including Florida have expressed interest in him. At this piont there is no reason to give him away. Any trade involving Taveras will have to help us in a big way eslewhere.

As for Lane, I expect he wil be the 4th outfielder on the team and a possible platoon in RF with Luke Scott. However, Lane will have to win that spot in Spring Training.

I dont like the shopping around of Willy T. Willy is going to develop into a solid leadoff hitter for him. He would be a great player if he only learned how to pull the ball. Why couldnt he have the swing of Craig Biggio?

But even with Willy T in cf if Pettite and Clemens dont return to the stros they are doomed. I wouldnt be surprised if the Astros trade Willy T, Troy Patton, and Jason Lane for Dontrelle Willis. Would this be giving up too much talent? Honestly I say yes but the Astros would have to do it if they are in a win now situation.

I think Lane will be traded by July 31, 2007 if not sooner. He has fallen out of the rotation and doesnt look like he will be a good player. I hope I am wrong because he looked fantastic as a rookie.

Also, this will be Morgan's good year. Every other year he is a beast and the year after sucks. This year Morgan will put up 2005 #'s. Mark my words.

[bigheadache]

After the Jennings trade, I'd say the Roster will look more like this

CF Chris Burke
2B Craig Biggio
1B Lance Berkman
LF Carlos Lee
3B Morgan Ensberg
RF Luke Scott
SS Adam Everett
C Brad Ausmus

Reserves

IF Mike Lamb
IF Adam Bruntlett
OF Orlando Palmeiro
OF Jason Lane
C Humberto Quintero

Starting Rotation

SP Roy Oswalt
SP Jason Jennings
SP Woody Williams
SP Chris Sampson
SP Fernando Nieve

Bullpen

RP Brad Lidge
RP Dan Wheeler
RP Chad Qualls
RP Trevor Miller
RP Miguel Ascencio
RP Dave Barkowski
RP Wandy Rodriguez

I think Nieve will be given a chance to be the starter with Rodriguez getting a chance to be a left handed specialist in the pen.

There is still a pretty good group of potential starters waiting ther chance in AAA, including Albers, Patton, Guiterrez and Astacio. It's possible a trade could be made involving Ensberg allow the Astros to bring Huff back at 3rd base.

[aCutb]

I like Sampson as our #4 pitcher out of the group we have to choose but I would consider giving Troy Patton a chance to start as our #5. If not at the beginning of the season but at least by the allstar break. I think we need to trade Ensberg to get a starter or a centerfielder.

How will Phil Garner utilize Mike Lamb?

[bigheadache]

I think they will want to give Patton and Albers some time in AAA before bringing them up. Sampson, Nieve, Rodriguez, Ascencio and Astacio along iwht Patton and Albers will get serious looks in Spring Training for 2 starting and 2 relief positions. They may also bring in a couple of vets are Spring Training invites, but those would be less likely to make the roster.

As for Lamb, he wil be the backup for both Ensberg and Berkman. He will also be the primary pinch hitter. As long as those guys are healthy and playing well, I'd expect about 1 start a week. If Ensberg struggles he'll get more playing time. The trouble with Lamb is that he is a horrible fielder.

[aCutb]

Originally Posted by bigheadache

I think they will want to give Patton and Albers some time in AAA before bringing them up. Sampson, Nieve, Rodriguez, Ascencio and Astacio along iwht Patton and Albers will get serious looks in Spring Training for 2 starting and 2 relief positions. They may also bring in a couple of vets are Spring Training invites, but those would be less likely to make the roster.

I dont know much about Patton but having my cousin play against Patton, I have been following him since he was a freshman in high school. I know he can be a dominant pitcher, but I dont want the Stros to rush him out of their farm system. But I hope he is ready in the middle of the season because he can be a real boost for our rotation in the middle of the season if he pitches to his potential. Don't know that much about Albers, but I hope he is also given a shot in our rotation also, in the middle of the season. I think Astacio will be the pitcher being sent down to AAA in the beginning of the season. Sampson and Nieve will be the #4 and #5 starters and Rodriguez, and Ascencio bullpen pitchers.

Originally Posted by bigheadache

As for Lamb, he wil be the backup for both Ensberg and Berkman. He will also be the primary pinch hitter. As long as those guys are healthy and playing well, I'd expect about 1 start a week. If Ensberg struggles he'll get more playing time. The trouble with Lamb is that he is a horrible fielder.

Well, this is Ensberg's year to be good, so he will get 1 start per week. I hope we dont have to start him at third to get offense. I like Mike Lamb but he cant field, as you say. But if we trade Morgan, we will sign Aubrey Huff. I may be more intrigued to do that because we get Huff back and get another player like Paul Maholm from the Pirates.