If by the All-Star break the Astros are out of it (anymore than they are now) then they should start trading off pieces that could be valuable to other teams. Burke, Lidge, Wheeler, Qualls and Jennings are your most tradeable assets right now (the only reason I listed Burke is because there has been mention that other teams have inquired about his availability). The most obvious needs this team has besides a miracle is catcher, 3B, SS and RF. There are many teams like the Braves and Mets looking for a frontline starter and another arm in the bullpen. Why not try to take advantage and dangle Jennings out there if he continues to pitch well (as he did tonight)? Especially if the race is tight in the NL East (Braves trail the Mets by 5.0 games) the Astros may get more in the trade. The Mets have OFs Lastings Milledge and Carlos Gomez while the Braves have C Jarrod Saltalamacchia and 3Bs Van Pope and Eric Campbell. Sooner or later the Astros are going to have to rebuild the team, and it doesn't look like there is going to be a big comeback this year. So why not make some trades and try to rebuild quickly and get back to contending in two or three years? Hopefully with some decent draft picks and with the players that are currently in the minors (EST, A-Ball and AA) the Astros can get back to contending in a couple and it will be fun to watch the young guys come in and play and grow into better ball players.
In a weakened division, if the Astros add a few pieces to their core group, they could be right back in the mix of things next season (they still are right now, which attests to how weak our division is). I think the team needs to work hard to try and keep Jennings (assuming he's stays healthy)...he could definitely be a viable number 2 behind Roy O. I wouldn't be averse to shopping some of our younger guys that have done well so far and see what type of position players or prospects we can get in return. Perhaps dangle one of Qualls, Wheeler or Lidge plus one of Sampson, Wandy or Albers with Ensberg or Lane as filler. If we dangle Burke, the team needs to sign Loretta back...which would be fine with me. Jennings though I'd like to return...if he stays healthy and Backe comes back healthy we could have a pretty good starting rotation next season (Roy O, Jennings, Backe, Sampson, Woody) outside of Woody. Hmm, that rotation doesn't have a lefty though, so what to do with Wandy if he's not traded...honestly I'd rather have Wandy at this point than Woody. So hell maybe convert Woody to a bullpen guy (he can give you a few good innings before imploding).
I really, really like Carlos Gomez. With Lastings' recent forray into gansta rap & his recurring attitude problems, it's safe to say he will never, ever be a member of the Houston Astros.
