Houston Astros Offseason Outlook For 2009: Rotation

Ed Wade, Drayton McLane, and the Houston Astros face a lot of questions in the off season before the 2009 baseball season. 

The obvious eye sore is the Astros rotation.  The 2008 rotation ended up being set after Wade made a trade to acquire Randy Wolf.  It turned out to be:

Roy Oswalt 17-10 3.54 ERA

Brandon Backe 9-14 6.05

Wandy Rodriguez 9-7 3.54

Randy Wolf 6-2 3.57 (after joining the Astros)

Brian Moehler 11-8 4.56

The number that jumps out most is Backe's ERA along with his record.  The ERA is a bigger concern.  There was a stretch during the season where he couldn't go a start without giving up a dinger.  Backe can't be Houston's No. 2 starter.  In fact, I will go as far as to say Backe shouldn't be a lock for the rotation going into spring training. 

Ed Wade has said his first priority of the offseason is to resign Randy Wolf.  If he does resign Wolf then he probably won't go after another free agent pitcher. *listen and you can hear the sounds of Astros' fans hearts breaking everywhere*

So what should Wade do? He has a few options.  *drum roll please*

Jake Peavy...

I know everyone has said that Houston doesn't have the resources to trade for Peavy.  I disagree.  Hunter Pence, a few young arms from AA Corpus Christi and maybe Wesley Wright may be enough for Peavy. 

Especially since Atlanta, who seems to be the best fit for Peavy, doesn't want to give the Padres what they want, and because Peavy (a long time friend of Roy Oswalt) has said Houston is his first choice of where he would like to be traded. 

Is it worth it? Yes.  Peavy is young, 27, and he is in the prime of his career.  He isn't insanely expensive either, especially considering his talent. 

Are there concerns? Yes. But not many.  If Peavy gets hurt the Astros may have blown a whole season but the Astros are on their way to rebuilding their farm system, after a very successful draft this year. 

If they can have two more drafts like this year then they will be in good shape, so they might as well go for it.

Other options to consider

Andy Pettite

Wolf may be a better option but it would be a shot in the arm for the team to have Pettite back.

John Garland 

Not a major signing but the Astros have flirted with signing Garland in the Past.

Derick Lowe, Ben Sheets, Ect. 

This years FA pitching market leaves Houston with many more options then last year. 

Hopefully, McLane will let Ed Wade do his job and sign at least one good pitcher.  If the Astros can shape up their rotation I think they will become an immediate contender.  Guess we all have to cross our fingers and wait and see. 

Both Wade and McLane have mentioned the word "tinker" and this doesn't bode well for Astros fans.

Hot Stove Season, Here We Come.