Unfortunately for Houston, this spring will be more about who isn't in camp than who actually is.
Roger Clemens has the Astros hangin' again and this time his best buddy isn't in town to convince him to jump on the bandwagon in midseason. It's unfair to offseason signee Carlos Lee, really.
El Caballo (spanish for "the horse") fits perfectly in Houston's homer park -- especially with that short left-field porch -- and hitting behind Lance Berkman should leave him with ample RBI opportunities. Lee no longer will be motivated by the allure of the almighty dollar, but he has been nothing more than a masher in his career.
In real baseball terms, the Astros can compete in the NL Central, but they need a number of things to go right -- particularly in the back end of their mostly inexperienced rotation.
Spring position battles
Center, right field -- Chris Burke and Luke Scott vs. Jason Lane and Hunter Pence
Burke and Scott should open as the Astros' starters, but the arrival of Pence will be one of Fantasy's most anticipated arrivals in the first half. It might even come before opening day. Pence is one of the better slugging outfield prospects in baseball and has room to grow and a great home ballpark to eventually call home. Burke is a new starter sleeper and Scott could be an overlooked sophomore on Draft Day. Lane's star has fallen, but there is still pop there, which makes him worth a flier in NL-only formats as a reserve.
Starting pitchers Nos. 4-5 -- Wandy Rodriguez, Ezequiel Astacio vs. Matt Albers, Chris Sampson and Fernando Nieve
This is not an exciting group -- especially because it's coming at the expense of the departures of Andy Pettitte and Clemens (possibly). Consider the back end of the Astros' rotation a work in progress and consider the winners nothing more than fill-in options in most Fantasy leagues. This team will win games and score runs, but these arms shouldn't be trusted at this point.
Third base -- Morgan Ensberg vs. Mike Lamb
Ensberg has the job going into spring and will keep it unless his shoulder is not sound. Consider him an injury-risk sleeper in the late rounds of mixed leagues. Lamb is nothing more than a reserve for deeper NL-only leagues.
Closer -- Brad Lidge vs. Dan Wheeler
This should be no contest, but it shouldn't have been last season. The Astros say Lidge has the job going into spring and we don't see Wheeler taking save opportunities if he stays healthy. Consider Lidge a sleeper on Draft Day, but we have seen him go earlier than expected in many of our analysts drafts to date. Wheeler is nothing more than a middle reliever with the potential to pick up save scraps at this point.
| | Rookies/Prospects | Age | Pos. | 2006 high | Destination |
| 1 | Hunter Pence | 23 | OF | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Big-time power prospect has outside chance at opening day |
| 2 | Matt Albers | 24 | RH SP | Majors | Triple-A |
| In mix for No. 5 starter's spot but needs time in Triple-A |
| 3 | Troy Patton | 21 | RH SP | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Should be able to help 'Stros, Fantasy owners in 2nd half |
| 4 | Juan Gutierrez | 23 | RH SP | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Baseball America says this arm has highest ceiling of all |
| 5 | Chris Sampson | 28 | RH SP | Majors | Majors |
| Failing a bid for No. 5 spot, he could be late-inning reliever |
| Best of the rest: OF Josh Anderson, 24; RHP Jimmy Barthmaier, 23; LHP Mark McLemore, 27; RHP Paul Estrada, 24; OF Eli Iorg, 24; C Hector Gimenez, 24; C Max Sapp, 19; C J.R. Towles, 23; C Lou Santangelo, 24; RHP Chad Reinek, 24; RHP Felipe Paulino Del Guidice, 23; 3B Koby Clemens, 20; RHP Chance Douglass, 23; OF Josh Flores, 21; OF Jordan Parraz, 22; SS Tommy Manzella, 23; OF Mike Rodriguez, 27. |
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