Vemditte: Two pitchers for one price
(c) Associated Press
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Without a GM in place and inexperienced newbies at the top of the organization chart, anything could happen when the Astros take part in this week's Winter Meetings in Dallas but, more likely, nothing will happen - at least nothing significant.
Expect interim GM David Gottfried to be shopping pricey pitchers Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers to anyone who will listen when he's not passing out resumes to the other 29 general managers in attendance. Whomever the Astros do select to replace Ed Wade, they'll likely want to bring in their own understudies.
Should there be any free agent signings, they will likely be the same sort of roster fodder we've seen the Astros sign since November; in other words cheap spare parts of questionable value.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the week should be the Rule V draft on Thursday where the Astros will get the first choice from other team's leftovers. Perhaps they'll opt for a power bat like Rangers' 1B Chad Tracy who spent last season in familiar Round Rock, toolsy Twins OF prospect Angel Morales or a SS candidate like the Cubs' hopeful Ryan Flaherty or Padres prospect Beamer Weems.
Because a Rule V choice must stay with the parent club all year, the safer choices are pitchers because they are easier to stash the way Aneury Rodriguez was last season by the Astros. Among the top names available are Nick Barnese of Tampa Bay, Johan Yan of Texas, Diego Moreno of Pittsburgh and Brad Meyers of Washington.
But when a franchise has no money, no talent and no chance for a quick turnaround, the smartest choice may be ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte of the Yankees. Sideshow acts are one way to draw fans until the team gets better and Venditte, for his part, has put up credible numbers in the minors. He can appeal to Crane's cheap side by being two bullpen arms for only one minimum salary and, if nothing else, his bobblehead night is sure to be a top seller.
Houston has just 38 spots filled on their 40-man roster so it's possible the Astros will double dip from the Rule V pool this year, just as Wade did last season.
- Bob Hulsey
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