Houston Astros

By Chip There have been lots of scenarios running around Houston, some even posted on this blog. Trade this one, give that one a shot. Sign this free agent, don't offer that one arbitration. So let's play some fact or fiction with...

By Chip Yes, it's November, but why not take an early look at what the Astros' roster may look like next season. CHumberto Quintero CJ.R. Towles 1BLance Berkman 2BKaz Matsui SSTommy Manzella 3BMiguel Tejada IFJeff Keppinger IFGeoff Blum LFCarlos Lee CFMichael Bourn...

By Chip Believe it or not, pitchers and catchers report to spring training in about 90 days. But Ed Wade's toughest work will take place in the next 30-40 days. By Christmas, many free agents -- including Jose Valverde, Miguel Tejada and...

By Chip Ed Wade has made what may be the defining move of his tenure as Astros' general manager. Yes, he inherited Cecil Cooper, but no matter how you cut it, Brad Mills comes in on his watch. For the record, I...

By Houston Chronicle

Karen Warren/ Chronicle Phil Garner led the Astros to the NLCS in 2004 and World Series in 2005. A quick look at the remaining three finalists for the Astros' managerial job: 1. Dave Clark: He knows the club and...

If you've ever met a more optimistic person than Drayton McLane, I'd love to meet him because, man, the owner of the Astros never seems to cry over spilled milk. We had a long, long conversation during this hectic morning,...

Jose Cruz is one of the most positive folks you'll ever meet in baseball. He loves the Astros, and I mean, LOVES, the Astros. So, it was quite a blow to him when Tal Smith and Ed Wade told him...

I spoke with Ed Wade again today, and, as he said Sunday, he doesn't expect to get together with his top Astros advisers until later this week to begin putting together a list of candidates for manager. Dozens of folks...

Miguel Tejada is no saint. He never has proclaimed to be one. He just happens to have had his problems exposed more than others in an era when some stars have been lucky to have had their true personalities or...

With his famous father taking video from nearby and his mother Debbie also on the field, Roger Clemens' eldest son, Koby, was honored Saturday evening as the Class A Lancaster Most Valuable Player. Nobody in the Astros' organization — minors...

By Chip You're going to call me a flip-flopper and you'd probably be right. But the more I watch Miguel Tejada and see what he brings to this team, the more I want to see him back in an Astros' uniform in...

Numerous candidates have approached Ed Wade about the managerial office left open in terms of a full-time occupant when Cecil Cooper was fired on Monday. One name you may want to cross off your wish list is Cardinals pitching coach...

By Chip You look at the turn around in Colorado this year and you have to wonder: If the Astros had made a move earlier in the year with Cecil Cooper could Houston have been the Rockies? Jim Tracy took over for...

By Chip The Astros made the move Monday that many anticipated might wait until the end of year. Cecil Cooper is no longer manager of the Houston Astros. Dave Clark leads the team the rest of the way. Why now? With 13...

By Chip Astros' announcer Jim Deshaies returns today with answers to some followup questions from you. If you missed the initial interview, you can check it out here. Thanks JD! • •• ••• •• • (NOTE: Some questions were submitted unsigned.) Q:...

Astros closer Jose Valverde, who missed the entire three-game series against the Reds while remaining in Houston with a virus, flew to Milwaukee on Thursday. "I'm here now," he said. "I feel a lot better, a lot better. Now I'll...

By Chip The Astros off season plans may have become a bit more focused on Wednesday with the announcement that Roy Oswalt has been shut down for the season. Oswalt has battled back problems much of the year and has left multiple...

The Astros have suffered a lot of injury blows this season, but losing Roy Oswalt has to be the scariest because nobody will know until next season whether his back can still handle the grind of a 162-game season. The...

By Chip There are a few things I think somebody needs to point out to the Astros' leadership. Here's my short list of things. I'm guessing you have a few things you'd like to tell the Astros as well. • Houston, you're...

By Chip The Astros have beaten the original Baseball Prospectus predictions, but BP still predicts the Astros won't make it to the .500 mark. If you remember back in March and April, BP predicted the Astros would finish with a 66-96 record,...

By Chip Dear Mr. Cooper: I hope you are doing well. I know it's been a couple of hard seasons, what with the lack of a good starting rotation and all the distractions of Shawn Chacon last year and clubhouse meetings and...

By Chip I'll make a bold statement right off the top: The Astros' success in 2010 may well depend on whether Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt return to their All Star form. Berkman 162-game Average Avg.RHRRBIBBOBPOPS .30010433112105.412.966 You don't have to shout...

The Astros officially announced their final September call-ups on Monday, promoting shortstop Tommy Manzella, third baseman Chris Johnson and righthanded reliever Billy Sadler from Class AAA Round Rock. Manzella, Johnson and Sadler, 27, will join the club Tuesday for the...

By Chip So what if Cecil Cooper is the manager for the Astros next season? The foregone conclusion and overwhelming concensus for the past few weeks is that Cooper is on his way out. Any day now. Certainly at the end of...

Cecil Cooper doesn't have to guess how many players the Astros will add to the roster after the minor league season ends this week. ...

Manager Cecil Cooper also is looking for better offense and consistent play from Towles, who hit .182 with an RBI in four early-season games. ... Astros add third catcher to rosterMLB.com Towles wants to show what he can doAstros.com Astros notes: Norris to pitch SundayHouston Chronicle

I'm thinking about moving within the Houston city limits, just so I can not vote. Ideal home: It's Bring Your Dog to the Astros Game on Monday. ...

Angel Moscoso, one of the most astute Astros fans, sent in his top 10 reasons Michael Bourn is the Astros' MVP this season. Here's his list: My top 10 among many reasons, Michael Bourn is the Astros 2009 MVP. 10:...

I figured Drayton McLane would fire Cecil Cooper on Thursday, then call a news conference to announce the Astros were ready to be champions in 2010. ... D12: Is Cecil Cooper nearing his final days in Houston?Yahoo! Sports Thursday Morning Astros, etc Round UpThe Crawfish Boxes

Comcast also will carry Fox Sports Houston's overflow channel, Fox Sports Plus, on selected weekends on channel 76. Since the Astros have Saturdays blocked ... and more »

By Chip Jim Deshaies is a former Astros' pitcher and now a television broadcaster for Fox Sports Houston. He took time to answer a few questions while on the road trip in Arizona and Chicago. By the way, if you have a...

By Chip COMING THURSDAY: An interview with Astros' broadcaster Jim Deshaies Managers Since 2000 Team'00-'09Current A's3Geren Angels1Scioscia Astros4Cooper Blue Jays5Gaston Braves1Cox Brewers3Macha Cardinals1Larussa Cubs3Piniella D'backs4Hinch Dodgers4Torre Giants3Bochy Ind...

Manager Cecil Cooper and pitching coach Dewey Robinson are aware Norris threw only 80 innings last season at Class AA Corpus Christi and a career-high ... Monday Morning Astros, etc Round UpThe Crawfish Boxes all 3 news articles »

“These guys seem to hit us,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. “I don't know. They seem to make things happen against us.” Wandy slows, doesn't stop, D-backsAstros.com Hot-hitting D-backs now draw a leftyAZDiamondbacks.com Astros notes: Wandy moves up against D-BacksHouston Chronicle

If Bagwell is reluctant, McLane can turn on that Temple charm. The Astros need a makeover, and this is a good place to begin. If McLane is thinking clearly, ... Sunday Morning Astros, etc Round UpThe Crawfish Boxes all 2 news articles »

I spoke at length with Astros owner Drayton McLane on Friday afternoon, and the frustration is clear. I get the sense he's going to be asking a ton of questions at the end of the season, and I expect quite...

By Chip Short subject today, but I'm looking for reasoned speculation on Astros' strategy. Now, now, no smart comments, please. Seriously, the Astros didn't trade Miguel Tejada, Jose Valverde or Latroy Hawkins before the July 31 trade deadline. They could have made...

Koby Clemens, the eldest son of Roger and Debbie Clemens, may have had the most impressive season so far of any of the Astros' minor leaguers. Heading into Sunday, Clemens was hitting .342 with 109 RBIs at High Class A...

By Chip Astros' 2010 Salary Chart Guaranteed PlayerAgeSalary Lee33$19 million Oswalt32$15 million Berkman34$14.5 million Matsui34$5.5 million Brocail42* $250,000 Under Team Control/Arb Eligible Pence26$3 million Bourn27$3 million Rodriguez31$5 million Sampson31$1 million Keppin...

By Chip Miguel Tejada was an all star last season. There's a shot that he could be named to the NL team again next month. The 36-year-old (did I get that one right?) shortstop is still hitting eye-popping numbers at the plate,...

The Astros’ Cecil Cooper (right) led his team to the best record in the NL after the All-Star break. OF Milton Bradley, RHP Kevin Gregg, RHP Aaron Heilman, RHP Luiz Vizcaino, INF Aaron Miles, C Paul Bako, OF Joey Gathright. ... They Will Be Gunning For Cubs NYMfansonly.com

Let's review why the Astros have missed the playoffs three straight years. The reason is that Drayton McLane has made some mistakes. I can't see this ever happening. If it does, Drayton McLane becomes another green-bean salesman in Temple.

How about those Astros? Some run in the second half. I don't know about you, but I haven't seen such excitement since the World Series. Those kids did almost everything right for a couple of months. If you didn't like your 2008 Astros, you probably don't like ice cream.

Aaron Boone hit one of the most dramatic home runs in the long and wonderful history of Major League Baseball. No matter what else he does in life, he'll always be remembered for the stunning evening in Yankee Stadium. He's 35 now and in the twilight of his career. The Astros see him as the perfec...

I haven't talked to him about it, but here's what I know. First, Drayton McLane wants Oswalt and Lance Berkman to finish their careers with the Astros. Both have a chance to make the Hall of Fame, and he wants them to go in as Astros. McLane could end up with four Hall of Famers--Jeff Bagwell, Crai...

His biggest gambles were on Miguel Tejada and Michael Bourn. He believed--and more than a few scouts believed--that Tejada would benefit from a change of scenery. He also believed in Miguel Tejada. I don't think I've ever been around a better teammate than Tejada.

Major League Baseball is the first professional sport to try selling tickets, sponsorships, etc., since the ecnomic collapse, and teams are afraid. Everything I've written about Drayton McLane and his payroll numbers should now be viewed differently.

Why can't Drayton McLane just be honest with us about his finances? Does he think we're dumb? Back when he was losing money and needed public cash for a new stadium, he had no problem talking about how Houston had to pony up to keep its baseball team.

So the Astros will be fiscally conservative and they'll go to spring training with a team designed to finish no higher than second. Maybe they'll catch a break or two. Maybe Michael Bourn and Miguel Tejada will have huge seasons. Maybe Hunter Pence will continue to get better. Maybe Wandy Rodr...

Between 1996 and 2003, the Philadelphia Phillies drafted Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Pat Burrell, Ryan Madson, Brett Myers and Kyle Kendrick. That's an argument for another day. Baseball is in an era of amazing parity. The Rays or Phillies will be the eighth diffe...

Astros general manager Ed Wade put to rest any speculation All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada would be dealt, saying Tuesday the club never had an interest or ... What Is Going On Down In Houston? The Braves Show Miguel Tejada: Red Sox Interested Rotowire

Astros, pets pose for calendar to raise money for the Houston ...  United States - Apr 24, 2008 It was hard to decide which was cuter: Houston Astros pitcher Wesley Wright's getting instructions on how to cradle the whimpering puppy or the sweet-faced ...

By Jose de Jesus Ortiz(jose.ortiz@chron.com) The Astros' Hunter Pence and Houston area products James Loney of the Dodgers and Chris Young of the Arizona Diamondbacks all were picked for the 49th annual Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team, as voted by the managers in Major League Baseball.

By Jose de Jesus Ortiz(jose.ortiz@chron.com) 4. Next year's Astros schedule: Josh Beckett's Boston Red Sox and Andy Pettitte's New York Yankees will come to town, and that will be a treat to Houston baseball fans who deserve to see these teams play regular season series at Minute Maid Park.

By Brian McTaggart(brian.mctaggart@chron.com) Baseball general managers voted 25-5 on Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., in favor of using instant replay to review questionable home run calls, and this corner of the world believes it's a good idea. Astros GM Ed Wade was among the five who voted against instant replay, which is used in the NFL, NBA...

By Brian McTaggart(brian.mctaggart@chron.com) His position is probably left field and we have a left fielder. You can't play him in right because he doesn't have enough arm strength, and with Hunter (Pence) and Josh (Anderson) playing in center it didn't make sense." • • • Lefthander Brian Bogusevic, the Astros' first-round pick in 2005...

The Astros snapped a three-game losing streak and earned their first win at Minute Maid Park in six games this season against the Pirates by scoring two ... Astros Rally to Avoid Sweep by Pirates Forbes Pirates bump bullpen, top Astros 8-3 in 15 Houston Chronicle

Regular exercise and surfing keeps Ausmus fit and calm  United States - Catcher Brad Ausmus and his family split their life between two cities — Houston during the Astros season, and San Diego otherwise. ...

The Chicago Cubs are going to the playoffs with a fomula that Drayton McLane should copy. First, they spent a ton of money in free agency last winter--around $300 million in all. Second, their GM is an old-school scout who built the organization from the inside out. Thanks to a combination of y...

Catcher ERA • • • Tim Purpura's biggest blunder was swapping Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens for Woody Williams and Jason Jennings. It really begins with Pettitte. The Astros had such a dislike of his agent, Randy Hendricks, that they allowed it to influence their evaluation of the player. B...

By Brian McTaggart(brian.mctaggart@chron.com) This isn't exactly the Astros telling Chris Burke he's their everyday second baseman, but the decision to give Burke most of the starts on the road while resting Craig Biggio is his best chance yet to show management what he... This isn't exactly the Astros telling Chris Burke he's their ever...

I know how I feel about trading Brad Lidge. I'm dead set against it. I would hope he'll spend his entire career with the Astros. If I'm Tim Purpura, I try to fill the roster holes by trading someone else and by signing under-the-radar free agents until the next class of minor leaguers is ready.

By Brian McTaggart(brian.mctaggart@chron.com)

By Brian McTaggart(brian.mctaggart@chron.com) ON HAVING AN EXPERIENCED ROSTER: "That's one of the things I said on Saturday is we've got a lot of guys in this room that have played in the World Series. We've got guys who have pitched great in the World Series. We've got guys who have pitched great in the World Series. We've added great players...

By Jose de Jesus Ortiz(jose.ortiz@chron.com) Honestly, folks, it has become hard to watch the Astros, especially because it's difficult to watch such wonderful, classy guys struggle. I promise you if you got to know Roy Oswalt, Woody Williams, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, Lance Berkman, Morgan Ensberg, Brad Ausmus, Brad Lidge, the en...

By Brian McTaggart(brian.mctaggart@chron.com) He had Mark Loretta hitting second and playing second base in place of struggling Craig Biggio, and Loretta goes 0-for-4. Lance Berkman went 1-for-4 batting third and is no longer off to a bad start. He's just having a bad season. Morgan Ensberg, Adam Everett and Brad Ausmus actually pulled t...

I knew he didn't have the money to do much more with the offense than sign Carlos Lee. I believed that if Lance Berkman and Lee were dominant, that if Morgan Ensberg's shoulder was healthy, the Astros would score enough runs. I thought Craig Biggio, Luke Scott and Chris Burke would do far more t...

Only Adam Everett has a lower OBP among regulars. Biggio's OBP is 52 points lower than Chris Burke's. The thing that's tough is figuring out who should hit there. The top five OBPs on the club are: Mike Lamb, Lance Berkman, Mark Loretta and Hunter Pence.

Pitching depth? Wandy Rodriguez, Chris Sampson and Albers have combined for a 2.12 ERA in five starts. The Astros have 10 quality starts in 15 games. Only Atlanta (11) has more in the NL. Just when you were ready to throw Biggio off the bus, he delivered another late game-winning hit in a 6-5 vict...

At the beginning of this season, the Astros had four players they probably couldn't afford to lose and stay competitive: Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Roy Oswalt and Jason Jennings. Right now about, Purpura and Drayton McLane may be wishing they'd tried just a teensy bit harder to re-sign An...

• To quote Joe Torre, ''It's all about the pitching.'' So far, so good. The Astros have gotten six quality starts in eight games, and Chris Sampson came within an inning of one on Tuesday. Overall, the rotation has a 2.45 ERA, second-best in the NL. No starter has allowed more than three earned run...

You can't brag on some people. Say something nice, and they'll stick it to you the first chance they get. Check out these batting averages: Lance Berkman .190, Morgan Ensberg .158, Chris Burke .200 and Craig Biggio .240. That's why the Astros have scored two runs or less in four of their six games. Th...

By Brian McTaggart(joe.conway@chron.com) Round Rock, the defending Pacific Coast League American Southern Division champ, starts the season with an eight-game homestand. AP Photo/James A. Finley Pitcher Fernando Nieve is part of the opening-day lineup for the Round Rock Express. Hunter Pence, CF • • • Tim Raines Jr., CF

Look at it this way: they're 0-3, and if they keep scoring runs at this pace, no one will notice that the closer has troubles. They won't need a closer. As for me, I see a lot of good signs. Craig Biggio has started to hit. Chris Burke and Adam Everett are off to good starts. Have you checked out the St. Lo...

Audio: Astros manager Phil Garner on prospects in Round Rock Audio: Express manager Ricky Bennett on quality of talent on team Audio: Hunter Pence on being held in high regard by seasoned veterans Audio: Round Rock pitching coach Burt...

By Jose de Jesus Ortiz(joe.conway@chron.com) Phil Garner told Brian McTaggart that Lidge will pitch Wednesday and then again Thursday against Class AAA Round Rock. • • • Roy Oswalt and Lidge will pitch in a minor-league game Wednesday. Oswalt, of course, is having a stellar spring. Lidge is not, but Lidge also is adamant that he usually h...

By Jose de Jesus Ortiz(joe.conway@chron.com) Astacio's highlight with the organization was likely last year at Class AAA Round Rock. His low moment was probably the game-winning home run he gave up in Game 3 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park. He also gave up the game-winning home run in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series against the Chic...

• • • I will answer your question, but first, I want to ask you never ever to compare a young pitcher like Troy Patton to Roy Oswalt or Roger Clemens. Those guys are rare ducks. They're just different. The Astros may never again have a pitcher as great as Roy Oswalt.

Brad Lidge goes nowhere. Got that? Nowhere? He pitches the ninth inning for the Houston Astros next season. No trade gets Brad Lidge from the Astros. Miguel Tejada won't get me to part with Brad Lidge. Pat Burrell won't do it, either. If the Phillies called and offered Ryan Howard straight up... Uh,...

I'm very excited to hear that you have a source telling you that about Lee. Now this is going to sound absolutely crazy but I think (the Astros) should try and also get Soriano, and let him play second base on the road and right field at home.

That would be a good start for the Astros. If you believe that Luke Scott and Willy Taveras will play the way they did in the second half, that Mike Lamb and Morgan Ensberg could be a productive platoon at third and that Craig Biggio and Chris Burke can do a good job at second, then catcher is the o...

First of all, A-Rod isn't coming to Houston. To agree to a trade, he'd have to admit he couldn't handle New York. A player obsessed about his legacy is not about to admit failure. Second, the Astros would have to gut their pitching staff to get him. Begin with Roy Oswalt, Brad Lidge and Dan Wheeler....

Now a word about the schedule. The Cardinals have played one less game than the Astros because a game against the Giants was postponed September 17. Since the Giants and Cardinals haven't had any matching off-days, that game will be played next Monday only if necessary to settle a playoff be...

Is Phil Garner why the Astros probably aren't going to the playoffs? Absolutely not. He did a tremendous job in 2004 and 2005. He didn't get dumb overnight. This team has too many problems much larger than the manager. First, there's the lack of offense. Then there's the frequent failings of the...

• Everyone has to contribute. During the six-game winning streak, Brad Aumus led the Astros with a .471 batting average. Adam Everett hit .316. Lance Berkman was the RBI leader with eight, but Berkman, Biggio and Jason Lane hit two home runs apiece. The Astros hit .292 as a team during the streak.

Thoughts on the Astros... • Luke Scott is 7 for 17 with runners in scoring position. He looks like a completely different player since he was last in the big leagues. Wouldn't it be strange if he was better down the stretch than Miguel Tejada?

One, all of the teams with whom the Astros are talking today are asking too much in the Astros' view. For the likes of a Tejada or Soriano, teams are expecting big-time return. You can probably interpret that as Hunter Pence and Jason Hirsch, neither of whom the Astros want to let go. Willy Taver...