Houston Astros
2010 Record: 76-86
611 RS, 729 RA, Pythagorean Record: 67-95
Manager: Brad Mills
GM: Ed Wade
Free Agents:
Bill Hall, 2B (1O, $3.25MM; $4 Mutual); Jason Michaels, OF (TBD Club Option); Brett Myers, SP (2O, $26MM; $10 Club); Ryan Rowland-Smith, SP (1, $725k).
Minor League FA:
Erick Abreu, P; Mike Affronti, 2B; Doug Arguello, P; Bubbie Buzachero, P; Robinson Cancel, C; Xavier Cedeno, P; Gustavo Chacin, P; Carlos Corporan, C; Lee Cruz, OF; Brian Dopirak, 1B; David Duncan, P; Brian Esposito, C; Casey Fien, P; Sammy Gervacio, P; Anderson Hernandez, 2B; Brad James, P; Oswaldo Navarro, SS; Jailen Peguero, P; Yordany Ramirez, P; Fernando Rodriguez, P; Wladimir Sutil, SS; Jose Carlos Thompson, 2B; Jose Valdez, P; Jose Vallejo, 2B; Andy Van Hekken, P; Edwin Walker, P; Ross Wolf, P.
Rule V Pick:
Aneury Rodriguez, P (Rays); Lance Pendleton, P (Yankees)
Trades:
Received Jonnathan Aristil (P) and Wes Musick (P) from the Rockies for Matt Lindstrom, (RP); Received Clint Barmes (2B) from the Rockies for Felipe Paulino (RP); Received Sergio Escalona (P) from the Phillies for Albert Cartwright (2B).
Waiver Claims:
None
Players Lost:
Buck Afenir, C; Frank Almonte, OF; Josh Banks, P; Jonah Bayliss, P; Yorman Bazardo, P; Edwin Bellorin, C; Chris Blazek, P; Geoff Blum, 3B; Aaron Bray, 1B; Tim Byrdak, P; Marcos Cabral, SS; Albert Cartwright, 2B; Leandro Cespedes, P; David Cook, OF; Roy Corcoran, P; Casey Daigle, P; German Duran, 2B; Evan Englebrook, P; Pedro Feliz, 2B; Rafael Feliz, P; Jhon Florentino, 3B; John Frawley, P; Ricardo Garcia, 3B; Angel Gonzalez, P; Justin Harper, P; Ricardo Heredia, OF; Jeremy Johnson, P; Matt Kata, 2B; Brian Kemp, OF; Shane Loux, P; Andrea Lucati, P; J.B. MacDonald, P; Gary Majewski, P; Edwin Maysonet, SS; Brian Moehler, P; Carlos Mojica, C; Ashton Mowdy, P; Mark Ori, 1B; Dieudone Paul, P; Phil Roragaugh, P; Chris Sampson, P; Lou Santangelo, C; Daniel Sarisky, P; Mike Schurz, P; Chris Shelton, 1B; Nick Stanley, 1B; Polin Trinidad, P; Ramon Vazquez, SS.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Jordan Lyles, RHP
2. Delino DeShields Jr, OF
3. Mike Foltynewicz, RHP
4. Jonathan Villar, SS
5. J.D. Martinez, OF
6. Jiovanni Mier, SS
7. Austin Wates, OF
8. Jay Austin, OF
9. Tanner Bushue, RHP
10. Ariel Ovando, OF
11. Jimmy Paredes, 2B
12. Mike Kvasnicka, C
13. Aneury Rodriguez, RHP
14. Collin Delome, OF
15. Mark Melancon, RHP
The Astros have their system headed in the right direction, but still have a long way to go. Jordan Lyles would have to be as close to elite as they get; he’s got a chance to make the Major League club out of spring. The group of guys from 3-7 are all high upside guys, but they have a lot of work to go to get there. After that, there doesn’t seem to be much to get excited about.
2010 Review:
Can anyone really say there were surprised by the poor showing of the Astros? They had most aging talent that were all in the decline stage. Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee would have been great to build a team around – 7 YEARS AGO. Berkman ended up being dealt, as did long-time teammate Roy Oswalt. Both deals brought in prospects.
They did have the opportunity to play some of the young kids – Chris Johnson, Bud Norris, Brett Wallace, etc. None really stood out (outside of Norris when he pitched against the Cardinals).
2011 Preview:
It’s going to be worse before it gets better. Lee is still in left field, where his bat is at the level of his fielding. Wallace doesn’t provide the typical arsenal of the first baseman (aka Power). Brett Myers is scary as an ace and Wandy Rodriguez is completely overrated.
Let’s just say that home-town boy Carl Crawford didn’t even give the team the light of day when teams were courting him.
From the Bloggers:
Prediction:
6th Place