Crank that offseason plan: Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are at a serious fork in the road in terms of turning toward competing for the NL Central crown in 2010 or holding a fire sale for a veteran team that doesn't have enough money to improve by much.
There's certainly a wealth off talent at the Astros core. The problem with this squad? Their window of championship opportunity is nearly shut and it may not make sense to bring the same team back in 2010.

With second baseman Kaz Matsui, left fielder Carlos Lee, first baseman Lance Berkman and pitcher Roy Oswalt, there is no shortage of veteran talent that would certainly bring in varying degrees of prospect hauls should the Astros enter a sell-now route.

The problem with all of the above is their bloated contracts. With the exception of Matsui, all three players earn salaries in the $14-20 million dollar range. Couple that with the thought that it would take a Jake Peavy like convincing to get Oswalt to waive his no-trade clause and you can see why Houston is having trouble deciding to go for it in 2010 or sell.

By the front office's own admissions, the 2010 payroll will be significantly smaller than that of the 2009 version. Under that state of mind, I see the Astros with roughly $12 million to spend after arbitration raises and the departure of infielder Miguel Tejada.

Should the Astros head toward a fire-sale you would expect the trade partners for Oswalt to be limited in that he makes a hefty $14 million and has a no-trade clause. I haven't even mentioned the down year (by his standards) he had in 2009.

In fact, it would seem as though the true trade partners for Oswalt's services (barring a Jake Peavy-esque change of mind) would be the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Of those teams, only the Rangers have a significant need to add a top-tier starter. The good news for Houston is that Texas GM Nolan Ryan would have the easiest time trying to convince Oswalt to waive his no-trade clause for obvious reasons. The Rangers also have one of the best minor league systems in baseball.

While I'm not entirely certain Texas could take on a contract as large as Oswalt's, perhaps the Astros could shave a million or two off in hopes of netting one of the Rangers' top prospects.

As far as Berkman and Lee's suitors, it could be just about anybody looking for a middle-of-the-order bat. Both make an obscene amount of money but consistently provide all-star offensive numbers every season.

Berkman had a bit of a down year by his standards in both the health and production department but delivered 25 home runs and 80 RBIs while maintaining a near 1-1 strikeout to walk ratio.

Being a switch-hitter only further adds to Berkman's value as an option for teams looking for a designated hitter or first baseman.

Big market teams would be all over a potential trade and Boston is well-known to be pursuing a first baseman. Seems like a great match for both teams.

Matsui had a down year as well but at only $5 million, he could be moveable to a team needing a second baseman and willing to give up a mid-level prospect.

Lee has a ton of value despite a contract that netted him $18.5 million in 2009. He is an automatic 30 home run/100 RBI guy since he arrived in Houston and it wouldn't be much different elsewhere.

The problem with Lee is the same problem he's always had. He's overpaid and he's lazy on defense.

Sounds like Manny Ramirez to me.

The Cardinals, Red Sox and New York Yankees are all in need of a left fielder. There's no reason not to be able to get a deal done.

Without enough pieces in the rotation or in the bullpen, Houston's best bet is to build for the future. Tought luck for Astros fans this year. There's no reason to add middling pieces to an already mediorce team on a budget.