Prospect Tommy Manzella, who factors to be the Astros' starting shortstop for the 2010 season, has received limited playing time since being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Sept. 7. (Houston Chronicle)
Over the past month, Houston Astros fans continue to hear and read about how owner Drayton McLane, Jr. and general manager Ed Wade plan to trim payroll and get younger for the 2010 season.
With five games left in the regular season, it's safe to assume that McLane and Wade don't intend to re-sign veteran free agents Aaron Boone, Geoff Blum, Doug Brocail, Darin Erstad, Mike Hampton and Jason Michaels.
At this point, it's up in the air whether or not the Astros will attempt to keep free agents LaTroy Hawkins, Miguel Tejada or Jose Valverde.
According to team sources, McLane and Wade have significant interest in re-signing Valverde, and possibly Hawkins.
Tejada's future in Houston
In regard to Tejada, it's unclear what the organization intends to do.
Since acquiring Tejada from the Baltimore Orioles on Dec. 12, 2007, the 35-year-old superstar shortstop has been a productive player -- making two All-Star teams and ranking among the league leaders in several offensive categories this season, including eighth in batting average (.312), third in hits (192) and first in doubles (45).
Tejada recorded his sixth, four-hit game of the season in Monday's 8-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park and currently has a 16-game hitting streak.
He no longer resembles the 30 home-run power hitter that won the 2004 Century 21 Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in Houston. Instead, Tejada has evolved into a contact hitter capable of generating a high batting average while cracking singles, doubles and driving in 80-90 runs per season.
Back in June, I spent time with Tejada at a clinic he gave for the Miracles Baseball Academy. We talked about several things, but he was adamant about not getting traded and his desire to re-sign with the Astros.
Off the field, Tejada continues to be involved with several charitable functions in the greater Houston area, which means the world to him. Obviously, if he signs with another club during the offseason, it would be difficult for him to perform his charity work in Houston.
It's been reported that the Astros might be interested in re-signing Tejada and moving him to third base in favor of prospect Tommy Manzella at shortstop.
In my opinion, I don't think Houston intends or stands a chance of re-signing Tejada.
First, his age and potential salary demand works against McLane and Wade's vision for 2010. Tejada's in the final year of a six-year, $72 million contract, which pays him $14.8 million this season. If the Astros want to get younger and trim payroll, it makes absolutely no sense to re-sign Tejada.
Hypothetically, lets say McLane wants Tejada back. There's no way he'll offer the six-time All-Star a substantial amount of money or a multi-year deal to stay.
It's not going to happen.
Tejada would have to be willing to accept a discount to remain in an Astros uniform. Although Tejada's aware he won't generate the same type of salary as before, he knows that several American League teams, such as the Boston Red Sox, want him and likely to offer more money.
The Red Sox want to upgrade at the shortstop position for next season, and Tejada is the perfect fit for general manager Theo Epstein and Fenway Park. With an NL-leading 45 doubles this season, imagine Tejada crushing the ball off the infamous Green Monster.
More importantly, Tejada has been productive when facing the New York Yankees and he's great friends with Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. Either way, whether the Astros want Tejada or not, it's realistic to believe he'll be wearing a different uniform next season.
At this point, with no chance for a postseason berth, the Astros are simply trying to finish out the regular season on a strong note.
What about Manzella and Johnson?
Recently, it's become noticeable that interim manager Dave Clark shows favoritism toward the veterans rather than play the young ballplayers. Top-notch prospects Chris Johnson and Manzella have barely seen action since joining the team Sept. 7 from Triple-A Round Rock.
Both Manzella and Johnson are rumored to be potential starters for the 2010 season.
If Manzella represents the future at shortstop and Johnson at third, why is Clark ignoring both players in favor of the veterans?
It doesn't make sense.
Manzella, the 2009 MVP of the Round Rock Express, has hit .200 (1-for-5) in six games. The former Tulane standout continues to sit on the bench while Tejada gets the starting nod. Clark hasn't sent Manzella to the plate since Friday against the Cincinnati Reds.
Also, Johnson is hitting a dismal .095 with no homers and one RBI in 21 at-bats.
Recently, Clark's been giving infielder Jeff Keppinger more starts at third rather than Johnson. The 24-year-old Johnson has yet to start since Sept. 19, when he went 1-for-3 with an RBI against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Overall, Manzella and Johnson have combined for 26 at-bats.
Rather than jump-start the future and give Manzella and Johnson more playing time, Clark appears fully committed to the veterans.
According to MLB.com, the interim skipper plans to give Tejada every opportunity to reach 200 hits for the season. At the same time, he wants to see center fielder Michael Bourn break former Astros outfielder Gerald Young's club record of 65 steals in a season.
Furthermore, Clark made sure to give slugger Carlos Lee a chance to surpass the 100 RBI mark for the fifth straight season.
It's understandable for Clark to keep playing Bourn and Lee, mainly because both outfielders factor into the Astros' future. As for Tejada, recording 200 hits isn't a major milestone, considering he's reached that mark three times in his career.
So what if Tejada reaches 200 hits for a fourth time -- it's only beneficial to him and his free-agent value. It does nothing for the Astros organization or for Manzella and Johnson.
Tejada needs eight hits over the last five games to finish with 200.
"He's (Tejada) a machine," Clark said after Tuesday's 7-4 loss to Philadelphia. "We're going to give him every opportunity to get 200 hits. He's been here all year and he deserves that opportunity."
If this headline becomes the major story for Houston closing out the season, that's unfair to Manzella and Johnson.
Both Manzella and Johnson need to be out on the field gaining experience and getting at-bats. Clark, who's built a solid reputation for developing young players as a minor league manager, has yet to do the right thing by Manzella or Johnson.
This isn't the time for Tejada to achieve glory -- it's the perfect time to give Manzella and Johnson an opportunity to prove themselves for next season.
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