Help Wanted: Looking for an Opening Day lineup for the Houston Astros

After a lackluster session at the winter meetings, it is becoming clear to Astros fans that GM Ed Wade has no concerns with the current roster.  With no blockbuster deal looming on the horizon, we may have to finally bite the bullet and evaluate the potential opening day lineup.  My biggest concern with this team is...well, everything.  For a team that barely missed the postseason, the Astros really did not perform well in any statistical category.  They ranked 11th in the National League in runs scored, 11th in on-base percentage, 7th in slugging and 6th in team batting average.  Houston was next to last in runs and OBP after the 6th inning.

Their pitching staff was equally mediocre.  Their 4.36 ERA ranked 8th in the NL and Roy Oswalt was the only starting pitcher to finish in the top 15 in any major category.  His 17 wins were third-best in the league, as were his three complete games and two shutouts.  He was 10th in the NL in innings pitched and walks/hits per inning, and 13th in ERA.  Unfortunately, the back end of the rotation was a disaster.  Brandon Backe had the worst ERA in the NL (6.05) of any starter with 160+ innings.  His batting average against and walks/hits per inning were the second-highest in the league.  The idea that Chris Sampson or Shawn Chacon could be a fifth starter misfired badly and Wandy Rodriguez couldn't stay healthy.

Offensively, Houston's biggest problems were injuries.  If they are healthy, the batting order looks OK.

1. Kaz Matsui 2B (.293 avg with 20 SB)
2. Darin Erstad CF (.276 avg) or Michael Bourn (41 SB)
3. Lance Berkman 1B (.312 avg, 29 HR, 106 RBI, 46 doubles, 114 runs)
4. Carlos Lee LF (.314 avg, 28 HR, 100 RBI
5. Hunter Pence RF (.269 avg, 25 HR, 83 RBI, 34 doubles)
6. Miguel Tejada SS (.283 avg, 66 RBI, 38 doubles)
7. Geoff Blum/Aaron Boone 3B (Blum drove in 53 runs and hit .242 vs. RHP...Boone hit .275 vs. LHP)
8. Humberto Quintero C (sadly his .226 avg is the best option, he did hit .273 vs. LHP)

Pitchers:

1. Roy Oswalt (17-10, 3.54 ERA....9-2 with 1.66 ERA in last 11 starts of '08)
2. Wandy Rodriguez (9-7, 3.54 ERA...nagged by injuries in '08...2.48 ERA last 8 starts)
3. Brian Moehler (11-8, 4.56 ERA)
4. Brandon Backe (coming off the worst season of his career)
5. Mike Hampton (huge question mark but did go 6+ innings in each of his last nine starts w/ 3.72 ERA)

Relievers:

• Chris Sampson (2.92 ERA in 43 relief stints, but coming off elbow surgery)
• Geoff Geary (2.53 ERA was career-best)
• Tim Byrdak (situational lefty held LHB to .135 avg.)
• Wesley Wright (faded down the stretch with a 6.23 ERA after July)
• Doug Brocail (solid veteran arm keeps on ticking)
• Jose Valverde (electric closer had 44 saves, but was 17 for 18 after July with an 0.76 ERA)
• LaTroy Hawkins (best free agent pick up of last season went 2-0 with 0.43 ERA in 24 games with HOU)

Overall, the core of the Astro lineup and their bullpen depth should keep them in the race in '09.  However, another key front office move will be necessary in order to get over the hump.  A second-place finish behind the Cubs in the NL Central and a shot at the NL Wild Card are not completely out of the question.