Spring training site
Kissimmee, Fla.
2007 record
73-89, fourth in NL Central, 12 games behind Cubs
New faces
IF Geoff Blum (free agent, Braves); CF Michael Bourn (trade, Phillies); RHP Doug Brocail (free agent, Padres); RHP Jack Cassel (free agent, Padres); RHP Shawn Chacon (free agent, Phillies); OF Darin Erstad (free agent, White Sox); RHP Geoff Geary (trade, Phillies); RHP Ryan Houston (free agent, Blue Jays); 2B Kazuo Matsui (free agent, Rockies); RHP Chad Paronto (free agent, Braves); SS Miguel Tejada (trade, Orioles); RHP Jose Valverde (trade, Diamondbacks); RHP Oscar Villareal (trade, Braves)
Biggest offseason acquisition
This team is throwing a lot of pitchers at the wall to see who sticks. But the biggest impact, both on and off the field, will come from Tejada, the 2002 American League MVP who was named in the Mitchell Report and is being investigated for perjury after testifying to Congress in 2005 on steroids in baseball. Tejada's streak of eight consecutive seasons of 20 home runs or more came to an end last season.
Gone but not forgotten
The Astros traded away Brad Lidge and acquired Valverde to become the closer, which might be an upgrade. And they'll miss the presence of second baseman Craig Biggio, who isn't in camp for the first time in 20 years. He retired after last season.
Spring training battles
To say this pitching staff is a work in progress is almost an understatement. Other than Oswalt, one of the best in the majors, and probably Valverde, every job is open to competition.
Projected lineup
- CF Michael Bourn
- 2B Kazuo Matsui (on DL)/Geoff Blum
- SS Miguel Tejada
- 1B Lance Berkman
- LF Carlos Lee
- RF Hunter Pence
- 3B Ty Wigginton
- C J.R. Towles
- Pitcher
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Roy Oswalt
- RHP Brandon Backe
- LHP Wandy Rodriguez
- RHP Shawn Chacon
- RHP Woody Williams or RHP Chris Sampson
Projected bullpen
- RHP Jose Valverde (closer)
- RHP Doug Brocail
- RHP Oscar Villareal
- RHP Geoff Geary
- RHP Dave Borkowski
- RHP Ryan Houston
- LHP Wesley Wright
Biggest strength
The middle of the order is perhaps the best in the division, as Tejada, Berkman, Lee and Pence will drive in runs if healthy, and if Bourn and Matsui get on base. But that's a big if, as Bourn is a (promising) rookie and Matsui has been inconsistent in his major-league career. They do have speed, however.
Glaring weakness
If the Astros' starting rotation was a poker hand, it would be an ace (Oswalt) and four low cards. It's up to Cecil Cooper and his staff to try to make it a straight.
