whats going on in Houston?

[ghostfacek]

assuming Berkman doesn't miss much time, next year looks like a mess

Beltran - is he coming back?

Kent - coming back? if so, will he play 3b?

Biggio or Chris Burke at 2b?

Biggio and Lane in the OF?

Clemens?

[Pedantic]

One of those questions is easy: Kent, no.

[ghostfacek]

One of those questions is easy: Kent, no.

are you sure? Hunsicker the old GM declined his option, but the new GM just met with Kent and his agent

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/hou/news/hou_news.jsp?ymd=20041102&content_id=909398&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp[/url]

[Pedantic]

One of those questions is easy: Kent, no.

are you sure? Hunsicker the old GM declined his option, but the new GM just met with Kent and his agent

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/hou/news/hou_news.jsp?ymd=20041102&content_id=909398&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp[/url]

Rarely is anything sure, but I would highly doubt it still.

[kimchi_chigae]

i'd say there's a problem in houston

i don't think beltran will play for the astros next season, but hey, no one expected him to get dealt to houston anyway.

i read somewhere that kent wasn't going back houston, but that's another question mark...

[accohen]

Living in Houston and listening to sports radio everyday, I can tell you that nothing is imminent at this point on any of the questions you have asked. Beltran enjoys Houston (as does his wife), but will be the hottest commodity on the market and take his time-- I'm sure Boras will be at the GM meetings on Wednesday!!! Tim Purpura has stated that he 'would love to have Jeff Kent back', but what is going to happen is anyone's guess. As for Biggio or Burke at 2nd and Lane's playing time, it all depends on Kent's status, and also how healthy Berkman is going to be after his ACL tear, and whether they sign Beltran or another OF. Lastly, Clemens has stated his good old line "I am 99 % sure that I'm retiring", but he said that last year as well. Personal opinion, I think he will be back for one more year, if only to honor his friendship with Pettite.

[SaintsOfTheDiamond]

Watching very casually from the outside I would say that Kent is not coming back, and although Beltran seems to enjoy it there I think the price will be too high for Houston to bring him back unless some other guys take some pay cuts. I think Clemems will come back for at least one more year, he's pitching way too good not to, and he's the ultimate competitor (you have to be to do what he does with workout and such). Just my $.02.

[wrveres]

Well let us see, I do not think Houston is in that bad of shape. They are old as a team, but that is about it...

They got...

C - Ausmus
1B - Bagwell
2B - Burke or Biggio
SS - Everett
3B - Ensberg
OF - Berkman
OF - Biggio or Lane
OF - unknown...
They really, only need maybe one or two FA signings, and there should be plenty of OF'ers in this year’s free agent crop too ... Heres is a few with "B's in there name .... (Houston style)

Beltran
Bautista
Bragg
Berg
Or even maybe even Ben Grieve... hmmm
In all honesty, Magglio would look good in Houston. Shame his name does not have a "B" in it though...

I wonder if Hunsicker knows that Beltre and Batista are available too...

And for the staff... even if Rocket does not return (which he will) they got...

SP - Pettitte
SP - Oswalt
SP - Miller

And then the final two SP -Duckworth, Hernandez, Munro, Redding
worst case is one of those four could easily fill the number five spot in the rotation, then all they would have to do is sign a decent number four pitcher off free agency say like ..

Paul Byrd

So now, they just need a few arms to get the ball to Lidge...
How about...

Armando Benitez
Dave Burba
Brian Boehringer
Ricky Bottalico
Doug Brocail
Or even Buddy Groom...

Yeah they more I think about it, Houston will be fine...
I mean Jimy's gone right? What more could you ask for...?
Honestly...

[Lofunzo]

WR.......I agree about their staff. You forgot Backe, though. Another good arm.

[wrveres]

WR.......I agree about their staff. You forgot Backe, though. Another good arm.

oh and another "B", great call