AUTHOR: jesse5shsu TITLE: 2010 Houston Astros Preview DATE: 4:22:00 PM ----- BODY:

Here is a look into the Astros 2010 team, and a sample of the projected lineup, starting rotation, and bullpen. Going into the 2010 Season the Astros have a ton of questions to answer, and a very unproven rotation. The offseason brought many changes to the ball club, which said goodbye to one its more consistent offensive players in Miguel Tejada. Tejada hit .314 with 14HR, 86 RBI, & 199 Hits for the Astros last season, and was a clubhouse leader that the team will miss in many facets of the game. His contract is something the Astros will not miss, however, with the team having to pay Carlos Lee $19 million this season. Key additions to the Astros roster were Pedro Feliz at 3B and Brett Myers as the 3rd pitcher in the Astros Starting Rotation. Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom were also added to try and fill voids left by losing Jose Valverde and Latroy Hawkins at the back end of the rotation. The closer role has been something that the Astros have not had much to worry about for over a decade, as they have seen the likes of Billy Wagner, Octavio Dotel, Brad Lidge, and Jose Valverde at the end of games. Hawkins did a great job in Valverde's absence last season as well, so he is another bullpen pitcher that will certainly be missed in 2010. The losses from the 2009 team will most likely outweigh the additions from the offseason, but they have been active in trying to rebuild their farm system, which has taken a dramatic decline over the last few seasons. Even with the players that jumped ship, the Astros do have some potential to be competitive. Their lineup is well balanced, and has potential to be able to produce well, especially at home with the short porch in left field also known as "The Crawford Boxes." Here is the projected lineup for the Astros in 2010: 1. Michael Bourn- CF- .285 BA, .354 OBP, .384 SLG, 3 HR, 35 RBI in 2009- He was the Astros MVP last season, and really showed a ton of potential as the Astros Centerfielder for years to come. His speed at the top of the lineup helps the Astros put pressure on opposing pitchers as he stole 61 bases last season. The other side of the ball proved to be Golden for him as well. He turned in a great defensive season and earned Gold Glove Honors. 2. Kaz Matsui- 2B-.250 BA, .302 OBP, .357 SLG, 9 HR, 46 RBI in 2009- Matsui has proven to be injury-prone, but is a solid 2 hole hitter. He can be streaky, but when he heats up he can produce nicely, and the Astros need him to recapture some of the offensive prowess he showed in the post Season for the Rockies just a few short seasons ago. 3. Lance Berkman- 1B- 274 BA, .399 OBP, .509 SLG, 25 HR, 80 RBI in 2009- Berkman had a down year in 2009, and battled many injuries throughout the season. He looks to get back to one of the premier hitters in the league and put the 2009 season in the rear view. Berkman is a 'Homegrown" guy and is one of the fan favorites. His success or faliure this season is pivotal in the Astros success or failure offensively. 4. Carlos Lee- LF- .300 BA, .343 OBP, .489 SLG, 26 HR, 102 RBI in 2009- El Caballo is the nickname, and he has been a workhorse for the Astros on offense the last few seasons. He will be paid well for his contributions this season, and hopefully can avoid any more stints to the DL. Lee lacks defensive ability, but is an RBI machine in the Cleanup spot for the Astros. 5. Hunter Pence- RF- .282 BA, .346 OBP, .472 SLG, 25 HR, 72 RBI in 2009- Pence is another fan favorite, and has taken on the role Biggio once field as the grinder of the ball club. Pence plays the game with a lot of passion, and excites the fans. He is a guy that will get you 25 HRs & around 80 RBIs, and fits nicely into the 5 hole. He hits for a decent avg, and has some speed, so he fits nicely into this spot of the lineup. 6. Pedro Feliz- 3B- .266 BA, .309 OBP, .386 SLG, 12 HR, 92 RBI in 2009- His numbers don't wow you, but he also hasn't played in Minute Maid Park, where he can find the short boxes in Left. Feliz gives the Astros a true 3B as they had Blum their last Season. Blum is a great utlity Player and will add depth to the Astros Bench, but just wasn't an everyday starter. 7. Tommy Manzella- SS - .289 BA, .339 OBP, .417 SLG, 9 HR, 56 RBI in 2009(Triple-A)- Here is one of the big questions for the club. He is one of the young guys that is unproven on the team, but he is good defensive shortstop. Let's see if he can hit. He had just 5 plate appearances last season, so the verdict is still out. 8. Jason Castro- C .293 BA, .362 OBP, .385 SLG, 3 HR, 29 RBI in 2009 (Double-A) - This is another of the young guys the Astros will give a shot to this year. He isn't the starter yet, but I feel like he has a great shot at beating out JR towles and Humberto Quintero for the spot. He is a good prospect, and the Astros have been really excited about him, so let's see what he does in the Bigs. So you can see some holes, and some good potential in the lineup. Blum can offer some consistency off the bench if Manzella struggles offensively, and Quintero still gives the Astros a veteran catcher to help with the Staff. Starting Rotation is unproven as I mentioned before, but has potential to be above average. lets take a look: Ace- Roy Oswalt, 8-6, 4.12 ERA in 2009- Oswalt has chronic back conditions, and that will certainly be a concern this season. The Astros hope he can get back to being one of the better starters in the NL again, and battle through the injuries of the last couple of seasons. 2. Wandy Rodriguez, 14-12, 3.02 ERA in 2009- Wandy was the Astros most consistent pitcher last season, and really pitched better than his record would dictate. He had some problems with getting a contract worked out, so we all hope that doesn't effecthim or the team chemistry. 3. Brett Myers, 4-3, 4.84 ERA in 2009-Struggled with injuries, but looks to be healthy now, and hopes to regain the magic he had for Philly in 2008. 4. Bud Norris, 6-3, 4.53 ERA in 2009- Another young player the Astros hope will have a breakout year. he showed signs of being a quality starter last season, and hopes to build on his 2009 campaign. 5. Brian Moehler, 8-12, 5.47 ERA in 2009-Moehler will battle with Felipe Paulino for the 5 spot, and right now it is really up in the air as to who will win this rotation spot. Moehler is a crafty veteran, that has ate up soem innings thelast two seasons, and Paulino is a good young prospect with a strong arm, but has been inconsistent in his chances at the major league level. Bullpen: Closer:Brandon Lyon, 3/6 saves, 2.86 ERA in 2009 RH setup man: Matt Lindstrom, 5.89 ERA in 2009 LH setup man: Tim Byrdak, 3.23 ERA in 2009 Other Arms: Alberto Arias (R), Jeff Fulchino (R), Wesley Wright (L) This is the big weakness for the team right now, and one can only hope Lindstrom and Lyon have success at the back end of the rotation, but Lyon is coming off surgery so he is still a question mark. The last wild Card for the Astros is new manager Brad Mills. He has great experience as a coach and player, and should be a great addition to the club, but his lack of managing experience will still make him a question mark until we all see how he handles the team. ESPN has a great article on mills Here.

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: erich job DATE:2/11/2010 07:37:00 PM The Astros are definitely re building right now. They look like the offense is there,their pitching could be solid,except for Moehler,and Paulino. [whoever end up being the number five]Their bullpen honestly looks horrible.Lyon,and Lidstrom won't close to Valverde,and Hawkins.Mills will definitely have is work cut out for him. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: jesse5shsu DATE:2/12/2010 10:37:00 AM I agree with you. The lineup is fairly balanced. They have speed at the top, pop in the middle, and if the young guys can hit decent this season, they could score efficiently. The Bullpen is the big hole right now, and if they could have just kept one of the guys from last year I would be much more confident. (Hawkins or Valverde). The success of the starters really depends on the health of the veterans. If they can stay healthy the rotation is pretty solid, but but if the go down, and the young guys don't step up it will be a long season. ----- --------