Houston Astros: 9 Free Agents They Can Legitimately Hope to Sign

The Houston Astros' 2011 campaign is one that the entire organization is hoping to quickly put behind them. Houston finished with a Major League worst 56-106 and set a franchise record for most losses in a season, while also finishing 40 games behind first-place Milwaukee. 

Not only was the regular season a debacle for the Astros, during the offseason they were sold to new owner Jim Crane and have since planned a move to the AL West as soon as 2013.

Though Crane has pledged to build the Astros from the minor league up, and has stated that they would not be very active in free agency, there is no doubt that Houston has some major holes to fill, even with their very young roster.

Despite this statement that will definitely have an impact upon how much of an overturn we will see with the Astros, there are still some free agents Houston could pursue who could not only improve upon their record in 2012 but would also help to improve their eventual transition to the American League West.

While this possibility of contention may be a long shot, nothing is impossible.

Here are nine free agents who Houston could hope to sign that would help put them in a better position for the 2012 season and beyond.

Kelly Shoppach, Catcher

Kelly Shoppach fits perfectly into the Houston Astro 2012 plan for two main reasons: he's a catcher and he will be fairly cheap to acquire in free agency.

Despite having fair production from Humberto Quintero in 2011, the Astros still need a steady catcher behind the plate when Quintero isn't playing. Though rising star Jason Castro, who is continuing his recovery from right knee surgery, is definitely the long-term plan for Houston, his injury will likely keep him out of a backup role for the first half of the season.

And this is where Shoppach comes in.

Career-low numbers in the past year will allow Houston to acquire a decent catcher for a price they can afford and will leave them with room to spend more on perhaps a bigger free agent. 

Shoppach, throughout his career, has been a .224 hitter, averaging around nine home runs per year.  His best season came in 2008 when he made appearances in 112 games for the Indians, while hitting .261 with 27 doubles and 21 home runs. 

Though his production numbers are unlikely to return to his 2008 levels, expect Shoppach to improve upon his numbers from 2011, while offering Houston a cheap and short-term solution to their catching position and also being able to educate young Castro as he recovers from knee surgery.

Ryan Doumit, Catcher

Doumit is a very viable option for the Astros to pursue at catcher, a position that was also discussed in the previous slide.

Doumit is only 30 years old and, if signed, may be more of a longer replacement than would Kelly Shoppach. He is also coming off a much better year than Shoppach, hitting .303 with eight home runs. These numbers are not too far removed from his career average that sits right around .300, with just about 10 home runs per year. 

Not only is he a catcher who can hit for average, but Doumit provides a stable stop behind the plate, committing only six errors last season.

Doumit would be a very good option for the Astros to look into if they want to transition away from older Humberto Quinteno to a little younger presence behind the plate.

Third Base: Aramis Ramirez

Third base is the one position that I believe the Houston Astros should go all-or-nothing for, and Aramis Ramirez is a best-case scenario for this rebuilding Houston team.

Though Jimmy Paredes seems like he will be another long-term solution for the Astros at third base, he will still need to prove that he can play a consistent and full season before there are any talks about having him as the everyday starter. Paredes made appearances in 46 games last season, hitting .286 with two home runs and 18 RBIs. Though fairly good numbers for a rookie campaign, Paredes did strike out 47 times while only drawing nine walks, something else that he will have to improve upon.

While Paredes continues to hone his skills by either being incorporated at a different skill position or as a backup third basemen for the time being, Ramirez can give the Astros hope for the future.

In 2011, Ramirez made appearances in 149 games, where he hit .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs, showing that this veteran of 13 years still has a few good years left in him. He will bring a big presence to the Astros at the plate and can contribute invaluable time as a mentor to the younger players.

If the Astros are able to lock Ramirez up with a multi-year deal, he will provide a good option as a DH when Houston makes their eventual move to the AL West, if Paredes becomes the player he is projected to be.

Third Base: Casey Blake

If the Astros want to go a cheaper route at third base and invest their money elsewhere (particularly in the pitching rotation), Casey Blake would be a great fit.

Despite having some neck issues that required surgery last year, at 38 years old and probably in his final tour of duty around the MLB, Blake is still an imposing presence on the field and at the plate.

Hampered by the neck injury last season, Blake played in just 63 games, hitting .252 with four home runs. Expected to have around the same production in 2012, we can forecast numbers right around his 2010 marks, where he performed admirably with a .248 average and 17 home runs.

Though he would be a short-term option for the Astros, Blake is going to be a cheap option if the Astros decide not to go all-out on Aramis Ramirez.

Shortstop: Yuniesky Betancourt

Yuniesky Betancourt was once supposed to be the shortstop of the future for the Seattle Mariners organization, but he never lived up to expectations.

After spending four and a half years in Seattle, Betancourt was dealt to the Royals, only to then be later acquired by the Brewers after a year and a half. He is once again on the market in free agency this offseason.

If Betancourt is looking to finally find a place to settle down, Houston may be the perfect fit. The departure of Clint Barmes has Houston scrambling to find a replacement at shortstop, and Betancourt can fill this need.

Though he has bounced around these past few years, Betancourt can provide a stable option for the Astros at shortsop while also not costing them the rest of their available payroll.

Betancourt has always been a spectacular defensive player, and while his average floats around the .250 level, with the right coaching staff and a better discipline at the state, Betancourt can become a viable option near the middle of the order.

Shortstop: Edgar Renteria

If the Astros wish to go with a more veteran presence who has had better consistency in the past, while being a mentor to younger players, Edgar Renteria should be Houston's first choice in filling their need at shortstop.

At age 36, Renteria is definitely in his last leg of his professional career and should be a relatively cheap yet heralded option in the free agent market. He has always been a stable defensive player and has shown that he can come through in the clutch at the plate.

Last season, Renteria hit .251, while also accounting for five home runs in just 96 games. He will be looking to improve upon all of those numbers in a 2012 campaign that will likely see him push for a one- to two-year deal, as he tries to squeeze the last bit of baseball out of his muscles.

Reliever: Chad Qualls

Houston was the first place Chad Qualls was able to showcase his pitching prowess, and it should be one of his last stops in the MLB.

While his closing stint with the Astros did not work out, Qualls has now established himself as a consistent seventh- or eighth-inning reliever who is the perfect setup man for a dominant closer. Last season, Qualls came back to life, posting a 3.51 ERA in 77 appearances.

In need of a setup man before bringing in a closer, Qualls could once again find a match in the Houston Astros and definitely has some good years ahead of him, as he is just 33 years old.

Qualls should also be a relatively cheap option, as he has been off of his usual prowess in the past few years. But after a 2011 campaign where he showed signs of life, is definitely looking to be a steal this year in free agency.

Starting Pitcher: Dontrelle Willis

Remember when Dontrelle Willis was supposed to be the next pitching superstar and completely change the game while also winning multiple World Series?

Yeah, me neither.

Willis used to be the best pitching prospect in the game, but those years have long since come and gone. The veteran lefty with one of the most interesting deliveries in MLB history is now looking for a new home where he can perhaps fix his tarnished legacy.

Despite having a few good seasons, Willis has highly underperformed throughout his career, and at 29 years of age, will be looking to make a comeback before people consider him old and outdated.

Not only will Willis have inspiration to once again become a dominant pitcher, but he will also be a fairly cheap option in comparison to other starters. Houston could use him near the top of the rotation, especially with the pending move of Wandy Rodriguez. 

Starting Pitcher: Rich Harden

Rich Harden used to be one of the most intimidating pitchers in the Major Leagues.

Despite still averaging over nine strike outs per nine innings, his walk totals have become exceedingly high, and Harden has been bit by the injury bug as of late. 

Another veteran who should be a cheap option, if the Astros are able to give him incentives to play through or past fear of injury, Harden will prove a viable asset at the top of the Houston rotation. He definitely still has years left in his arm and will be looking to find a team where he can boost his stats perhaps before seeking a more lucrative contract.

Signing him should give Houston at least a year to establish the younger portion of their rotation, as well as possibly create stronger trade value for an underperforming Harden.