[Astros.com] Timmy wants to add "high-impact hitter"

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HOUSTON -- Like most general managers this time of year, Tim Purpura has been on the phones around the clock as Monday's non-waiver trade deadline approaches.

Unlike in years past, however, the exchange of calls is not on an equal plane. Purpura and his staff have been reaching out to other clubs much more than clubs are calling the Astros.

The reason for this is simple: With so many teams in some sort of race, whether it's for the division or Wild Card, there aren't as many sellers as usual.

"There are still clubs today that I talked to that said, 'We're not sure if we're a buyer or seller yet,'" Purpura said. "I understand that point of view. We clearly have not taken that point of view of being a seller. We want to acquire somebody. We want to add to our club. We've got a big investment in this ballclub and will try to maximize that investment."

Purpura is, first and foremost, looking for offense. Adhering to his policy not to discuss players that interest him or players whom other clubs have asked about, Purpura confirmed that most of the players he's looking at are considered high-impact hitters.

"I guess sometimes it's all in the eye of the beholder," Purpura said. "We may covet a guy who's a potential offensive guy for now but also a guy who can grow into a position."

What Purpura doesn't want is a short-term rental, a la Randy Johnson or Carlos Beltran. But the big names on the trade market potentially fit that bill. Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano is a free agent after this season, as is Brewers outfielder Carlos Lee.

Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada is in the midst of a long-term contract, but any player who is traded in the middle of such a contract holds the right to demand a trade once the season is complete. Many players use that right as a bargaining chip to renogotiate their contract, as Moises Alou did following the 1998 season.

That means in addition to absorbing more than $48 million of Tejada's contract, which expires after the '09 season, the Astros would be looking at what would likely be a costly renegotiation process.

Although it remains to be seen if the Astros can be serious players for any of those three, Purpura said he's confident something could happen by Monday's 3 p.m. CT deadline. Even with the Astros' $106 million payroll, Purpura isn't ruling out stretching it a bit more for the right deal.

"That's always the challenge," he said. "Especially if you're acquiring a top tier-type player, who's usually got a top tier-type salary attached to him.

"The other club is looking at prospects, and you have to find a way to equalize the money. We were able to do that very well with Aubrey Huff. We took on $1.4 million, [the Devil Rays] picked up $1.6. It was a good deal from a financial point of view for us, it was a good deal from a baseball point of view for us. That's the goal.

"It's very clear we're stretched to the limit payroll-wise. In our conversations with [owner] Drayton [McLane], he hasn't said, 'Don't spend a nickel.' His whole challenge to us to improve the ballclub. That's what we're going to try to do. You worry about the money after you get the pieces put together."

Ensberg takes BP: Morgan Ensberg hit on the field for the first time since going on the disabled list on July 10, and the third baseman sounded optimistic about his progress.

Ensberg also took grounders at third and tossed the ball lightly to second base, but he didn't test his right shoulder with any laser throws to first. That will come in time.

Ensberg has no timetable on when he may be activated from the disabled list.

"I hope it's sooner rather than later," he said. "We have to see how my shoulder reacts now. We can go ahead and do some work with it but then we have to see if it's going to flare up. I'm optimistic. I think this was a very good day, and I think this was a good step forward."

See you in San Diego: It's no secret that Jeff Bagwell plans to spend much of the rest of his life in San Diego, so it's only fitting that the longtime first baseman will have a presence in the visitors' clubhouse when the Astros play at Petco Park next week.

Purpura plans to meet with Bagwell in San Diego, mainly to discuss his desire for Bagwell to have a prominent role within the organization when his retirement becomes official, which will likely happen upon the conclusion of the 2006 season.

"I think that would be a positive for our club," Purpura said.

Bagwell has been in and out of the Astros' clubhouse this year, but his visits have been sporadic. He's leaning toward not having another shoulder surgery, and the next step will be to come to terms with the likely possibility that his playing career is over. He's spent much of his free time traveling and being with his family, but Purpura is hoping Bagwell will want to be be more of a presence down the road.

Purpura would love to see Bagwell more often this season, but the GM will not force the issue.

"He's facing presumably the end of his career," Purpura said. "I don't want to force him into anything he's not comfortable doing. But I think we're going to visit with him, catch up. When his career is done, I'd love to have him around, doing what Nolan [Ryan] does [as a special assistant to the GM]. Doing what Roger [Clemens is] going to do. Being with young players, come to Spring Training. If we can get there, I'll feel good about it."

Odds and ends: Manager Phil Garner said he expects Orlando Palmeiro to use all seven days of his bereavement leave, which began Wednesday. The rules state that a player who is on bereavement leave must miss a minimum of three days but no more than seven, and Palmeiro, whose father passed away, will probably be gone all week. Jason Lane is with the Astros in Palmeiro's place, but the Astros can send anyone with options to Triple-A when Palmeiro returns. ... Brad Ausmus' next appearance as catcher will mark his 1,000th. No catcher in franchise history has ever made 1,000 appearances. ... Craig Biggio extended his National League record with his 50th career leadoff homer on Wednesday.

Coming up: The Astros will begin another series with a Wild Card contending team on Friday when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game weekend set. Right-hander Brandon Backe (1-1, 4.50) will face D-Backs righty Enrique Gonzalez (3-2, 4.85).