Houston Astros: Back to the Future…

Remember names like Chris Burke and Luke Scott?

Morgan Ensberg and Adam Everett?

Why, exactly, did the Houston Astros trade away all their young talent a few years ago?

Nothing against guys like Carlos Lee, Kaz Matsui, or Miguel Tejada, but I miss those young guns that used to electrify and exemplify everything that is good about being a Houston Astro.

This offseason should be interesting; let’s just hope that Ed Wade and company can make the right calls to help get the 'Stros back on track.

We have a lot of talent as is—there’s no doubt.

But changes are in the making.

Tough calls must still be made.

There are a lot of blanks when it comes to what kind of team the Astros will be fielding in 2010, but one thing must be said—please, oh pretty please, let’s not repeat history.

We need young talent.

We need pitching.

But what we don’t need is a brand-new team.

Let’s focus on what we’ve got and fill in the spaces between.

In my opinion, if we can keep a core group of untouchables and surround them with a collection of high-chemistry, team-oriented winners, we’re destined to be title-bound.

It’s only a matter of when…

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]