Ok I know how everyone is tlking about Beltran and how we need to get this guy tied up, but one of our downfalls last season was not knowing who was going to take the hill day to day in the playoffs. Oswalt is our ace followed by Petttite. After that, the only possible candidates I can think of are Backe and Hernandez. If Rocket doesnt come back, this team needs to go out and get a couple of solid arms for the rotation. What do yall see the opening day rotation looking like? This is what I see if Clemens hangs it up... Oswalt Pettitte _____ Backe Hernandez The _____ is for a pitcher I think we'll acquire.
Oswalt Pettitte Backe Free Agent Munro/Buckholz/other rookie or another free agent Tim Redding will not be an Astro on Opening Day. Carlos Hernandez probably will be in the pen if anything. His arm strength still isn't where it needs to be. Brandon Duckworth will have to fight for a bullpen spot. I believe that a free agent will be signed at some point after the Beltran mess is cleared up. There are some potential starters that were in the minors this year. If Buckholz is healthy, he will get a shot. Ezequiel Astacio and Jared Gothreaux might get a chance in ST. IF (and that is an enormous IF) Clemens does come back for 1 more, it will be Clemens Oswalt Petttitte Backe FA or Munro or Buckholz
Oswalt and Petite would be our only proven pitchers and Petite is coming off an injury plagued season. Clemens and Beltran have to come back for the Astros to compete against the Cardinals and Cubs. Oswalt Pettite Backe Munro Hernandez
Replace Munro with Tim Redding, Taylor Buckholz, Brandon Duckworth, Carlos Hernandez or yes, Wade Miller(the Astros can still bring him back if they choose). Sooner or later that spot will be Buckholz's, and I expect an open competition in the Spring for that spot if clemens returns and miller does not. If they both return, the astros have trade bait at SP; if neither returns then you are looking at either two of the 4 filling the spots or one of them and a cheap FA.
