2008 MLB Preview: Houston Astros

Manager: Cecil Cooper
Arrivals: IF Geoff Blum, OF Michael Bourn, RP Doug Brocail, OF Jose Cruz, OF Darin Erstad, RP Geoff Geary, 2B Kaz Matsui, RP Chad Paronto, SS Miguel Tejada, RP Jose Valverde, RP Oscar Villareal
Departures: SP Matt Albers, OF Josh Anderson, 2B Craig Biggio, SS Eric Bruntlett, 2B Chris Burke, SS Adam Everett, SP Jason Jennings, 3B Mike Lamb, RP Brad Lidge, RP Trever Miller, OF Orlando Palmiero*, RP Chad Qualls, OF Luke Scott

Offseason grade: B

Starting rotation

After perennial Cy Young contender Roy Oswalt, Houston's rotation isn't very impressive. 

Brandon Backe, who hasn't pitched a full season since 2005, will return to the rotation after having Tommy John surgery last year. In 2005, Backe went 10-8 with a 4.76 ERA, and if he can repeat those numbers this year, he would fit nicely into the back of Houston's rotation. However, that's a big if considering Backe's history of arm problems. 

Wandy Rodriguez has shown no signs of improvement over the 77 games he has started between 2005 and 2007, so, by my amazing powers of deduction, he probably won't improve much in 2008. Expect 10-13 wins and an ERA hovering around 5 for Rodriguez this year–nothing very impressive.

No, Woody Williams hasn't retired yet. He's going to be 42 and is slated to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter for the Astros this year, probably posting an ERA above 5. Williams epitomizes Houston's rotation after Oswalt–mediocre win totals and ERAs over 5.

Rounding out Houston's rotation is Chris Sampson, who may end 2008 as Houston's second-best starter. Sampson made about 500 illegal phone calls and...whoops. Wrong Sampson. Chris Sampson is a solid back-end starter who, ironically, probably will make less this year than Kelvin Sampson's $750K buyout.

Overall, this Houston rotation will have a lot of problems after Oswalt. It ultimately could be Houston's downfall, as the rest of their team is pretty good.

Starting rotation grade: C-

Bullpen

Houston compeltely re-made their bullpen for the better in the offseason. Out are Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls (both of whom, as you can tell, hold special places in my heart), Trever Miller, and Dan Wheeler. In are Jose Valverde, Geoff Geary, Oscar Villareal, and Doug Brocail.

The only name that remains from Houston's 2007 bullpen is Dave Borkowski, who is nothing more than a mop-up man.

However, those four pitchers Houston acquired all are pretty good.

Valverde saved 47 games and had a 2.66 ERA with the Diamondbacks last year. He may not get as many save opportunities with Houston this year, but he still should do a very good job closing out games for the Astros even though his save total may not be as high.

Geary was brought over from Philadelphia in the Lidge trade and could benefit from moving out of the bandbox the Phillies play in. Geary will give Houston some solid innings out of the bullpen, but isn't a guy I'd want setting up Valverde in a close spot in the 8th inning.

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