Astros Will Try a New Look

As the Houston Astros land in Osceola Stadium in Kissimmee, FL this week, the question this spring training is not the number of games they will win in 2005, but rather who will they have left on their roster in doing so?

Since losing out on the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes in the offseason, the Astros have done little in the way of beefing up their potential power numbers, and have been dealing with the possible loss of Lance Berkman to knee surgery until May 1st. Added to that is the trading of Jeff Kent. While an aging second baseman, he filled a much-needed role in the overall team numbers department in 2004.

And centerfielder Carlos Beltran kept the 'Stros in the hunt for the World Series, as they came up one game short. Beltran appeared to be the missing link the Astros needed in their National League Championship Series run. Prior to acquiring his services at the All-Star Break, the Astros were going nowhere.

The starting pitching rotation looks most formidable with the retention of Roger Clemens, with a one-year $18 million contract after his 2004 Cy Young season. A pain-free Andy Pettitte is returning from 2004 elbow surgery, along with 20-game winner, Roy Oswalt, avoiding last-minute arbitration by signing a two-year deal worth $16.9 million. Young Brandon Backe, displaying endless potential with his starts in the 2004 NLCS, will get the fourth spot, with the fifth spot in the rotation up for grabs, vacated by Wade Miller who signed with the Red Sox. Fifth spot candidates include Tim Redding, Pete Munro, Carlos Hernandez, Brandon Duckworth, Dave Burba, and the up-and-coming Ezequiel Astacio. Those who do not get the fifth spot will receive bullpen consideration.

The bullpen remains locked down by impressive closer, Brad Lidge, who ended 2004 with a 1.90 ERA after the trade of Octavio Dotel in midseason, becoming the bullpen ace for the first time. And the 'pen will still have benefit of Chad Qualls, Chad Harville, and Dan Wheeler, who combined for a 2.05 ERA over 34 innings in 33 appearances in 2004. But lefty specialist, Mike Gallo, appears to have lost that role to newly-signed 45-year-old John Franco, playing for the Mets the past 14 years, and will have to show his versatility to remain in the pen. Additionally, Turk Wendell was signed to a minor league contract as possible bullpen insurance.

Manufacturing runs will be under much scrutiny. Around the horn and in the outfield there will be new faces, joining elder statesmen Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. Who will indeed play in the outfield is the largest looming question at present and could take the entirety of spring training to figure out according to the Astros' front office.

With his offseason knee surgery for tearing a ligament after the NLCS while playing flag football, Berkman will need to be temporarily replaced in right field. After avoiding arbitration with a one-year deal with the club, Berkman's numbers will be very hard to replace. Club hopeful Jason Lane will most likely be put in centerfield with AAA player, Willy Tavares, also auditioning. Bench player Orlando Palmeiro is slated to play right field, although that could change.

Around the horn, Adam Everett, will return to shortstop, which he relinquished to Jose Vizcaino in September, due to injury. Vizcaino will most likely resume his backup role, although he filled in admirably for the injured Everett in the 2004 postseason. Questions about third base remain between Mike Lamb and Morgan Ensberg. Lamb filled in nicely for the injured Ensberg at the end of the season.

Whether prospect Chris Burke is ready to hold up second base is a big question, with rumors of moving Biggio to second and acquiring an additional outfielder. The other rumor floating is dealing for Rangers second baseman Alfonso Soriano. Jeff Bagwell remains at first base and Brad Ausmus remains as catcher.

The positive about the Astros' failed efforts in wooing Beltran to stay in Houston is the additional funding available, which they may now need for signing additional players at more than one position. While their minor leagues have a number of highly-regarded future prospects, whether they are ready for prime time in a pinch will have to be sorted out and evaluated in spring training.

Houston's farm system is healthy and as such their future is not as glum as some experts would have you believe. Certainly, it would have been nice to retain Beltran, but now Houston will be forced to address other weaknesses in their lineup, which they may have possibly delayed until Bagwell, and Biggio retired.

Certainly the success of the starting rotation will rely on the health of Pettitte and the strength of the fifth starter, but it still gives the Astros some breathing room in making the necessary changes in securing position players. Only now the Astros will not have to do it in the middle of the season as they did in 2004 due to new management, trades, and player injuries.

With manager Phil Garner in tow, hopefully his input and experience from 2004 will be a great advantage as he starts out to complete an entire season with the Astros. With his hope and guidance, he could very well get the Astros back to the postseason in 2005, but this time with more than just a wing and a prayer.