Update on the Astros and the Offseason

In a previous post I talk about what I would be doing if I were in Drayton McLane, and Tim Pupura's shoes with regard to the off season and reworking the team for next year. Well to make a quick update on the Astros and what they have done and comparing it to what I would have done here is a quick overview.

1. Resign Oswalt to a 3-6 year contract averaging 15 Million per year
2. Resign Berkman to a 4-6 year contract averaging 18 Million per year
3. Get some of the young talent up in September and if out of playoff race give them large amounts of Playing time.
4. Try to resign Petting for less than Oswalt but near what he has made this year and for about 3 years at most.
5. Say good bye to Preston Wilson
6. Make contract offers to both Ensberg and Huff with lengths of 3-4 years

Well here is what has happened so far.....

• Preston Wilson is released and Willie Tavares, Chris Burke, and Luke Scott are getting more playing time so #5 was correct and so was #3 on the field
• Jason Hirsh has been placed in the rotation and is starting to pitch better, proof is his last start against Pittsburgh. more of #3
• and yesterday the Astros announced that Oswalt has signed a 5 yr 73 million dollar contract. that averages out to just under 15 mil a year. Not bad for getting part of #1 correct.

Now let's see what happens with the rest. The real key is going to be how long the team stays in the playoff race, that will determine if any other youngsters get to play.