Astros Ponder Trade Options

Like many other businesses around the country, your hometown baseball team is feeling the financial crunch. Two big sponsors (AIG and Bill Heard Dealerships) won't be contributing to the coffers in 2009, leaving owner Drayton McLane unable to raise his payroll going into next season. How to improve the team in these circumstances? That's General Manager Ed Wade's task at the MLB Winter Meetings in Las Vegas this week.

Pursuing big name, big dollar free agents is out of the question. Even mid-level FA's like soon-to-be-former Astro Randy Wolf seem off limits; thus, the Astros are looking to make some trades to improve their starting rotation, catching and bench. But who on the current team could bring in those players? Let's look at the usual suspects:

1. Ty Wigginton, 3B: The Man With The Missing G had a career year in 2008, putting up 28 homers and a .285 batting average while anchoring the bottom of the lineup. He's due a pay raise, which makes dumping him palatable. Teams like the Twins, Indians and Giants are all looking for help at the hot corner. Minnesota is particularly stocked with young arms.

2. Jose Valverde, Closer: Valverde was arguably the best closer in the NL last year, leading the league in saves for the second year in a row. Also due a hefty salary increase, he could be desireable to teams looking for a reliable, young closer. But without an heir aparent to fill his shoes, Wade seems reluctant to deal El Ponche.

3. Miguel Tejada, SS: Tejada was a valuable clubhouse leader in '08, but was hardly the MVP that he was earlier in his career. Word is that the Astros would be willing to eat part of the $13 million he's due next year in order to get some major-league ready pitching talent. Minnesota has been mentioned as a possible destination for him, too.

The team's only major-league moves so far have involved bringing back members of the dominant bullpen (LaTroy Hawkins and Doug Brocail) and adding a cheap, high-upside #3-4 starter (Mike Hampton). Still, with the Brewers likely to lose their top two pitchers (C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets) this offseason, the Cardinals facing a possible injury-shortened season from slugger Albert Pujols, and the Cubs mired in the bankruptcy of the Chicago Tribune, a second place finish in the NL Central doesn't sound unreasonable.

Time will tell what pieces Wade is able to salvage from the scrap heap. His history in finding Wesley Wright, Hawkins, and Geoff Geary would indicate that he can turn some lead to gold; let's hope he bypasses the Shawn Chacons this off-season.
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