Trio of Astros file for free agency

November 6, 1:00 AMHouston Astros ExaminerStephen Goff

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Houston Astros Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Astros general manager Ed Wade faces the pressure this offseason to trim payroll, yet improve the team's weaknesses, like the starting rotation. (AP Photo)

One day after the New York Yankees won its 27th World Series title, Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, Carlos Delgado, Orlando Hudson, John Lackey and Billy Wagner were among the 79 players who filed for free agency Thursday, according to MLB.com.

Eligible players may elect to file for free agency over a 15-day period beginning the day after the conclusion of the World Series.
 
The free agent's team retains exclusive negotiating rights for the 15 days, and if a deal can't be reached, the player can then start talking to any of the 30 MLB teams. 

Although the Los Angeles Dodgers possess the most eligible free agents with 16, it was the St. Louis Cardinals who led the list with seven first-day filings. 

Along with Holliday, outfielder Rick Ankiel and future Hall of Fame right-hander John Smoltz highlighted the Cardinals list. In a somewhat surprising move, the Dodgers decided to decline a $10 million mutual option for 2010 on Jon Garland, making the 30-year-old righty a free agent.

Outfielders Darin Erstad and Jason Michaels, as well as left-hander Mike Hampton were three of the eight eligible players for the Houston Astros to file for free agency Thursday. This comes as no surprise as the Astros expect to say goodbye to Erstad and Hampton, but may be inclined to re-sign Michaels, who made $750,000 in 2009.

This season, Erstad began showing diminishing skills, while Hampton will miss the entire 2010 season after undergoing surgery for a torn left rotator cuff and other damage in his shoulder.

In regard to Michaels, he only hit .237 with four homers and 16 RBI, but at times, came up with solid performances. On Aug. 7, Michaels blasted two homers and four RBI in a 6-3 win at Minute Maid Park against the Milwaukee Brewers.

With Carlos Lee, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence holding down the three outfield positions, general manager Ed Wade needs to add or retain a quality backup, and Michaels could be that guy.

According to sources close to the Astros, the front office has opened the line of communication with Michaels' agent. Obviously, the big question for the Astros revolves around free agents LaTroy Hawkins, Miguel Tejada and Jose Valverde. 

Owner Drayton McLane, Jr., and Wade would like to retain Hawkins, Tejada and Valverde, but trimming payroll for the 2010 season has become a major priority in the Astros' attempt to get younger. 

For the first time in franchise history, the payroll climb to a record-high $107 million this season, with more than $60 million committed to four players -- Lance Berkman ($14.5 million), Lee ($19 million), Roy Oswalt ($14 million) and Tejada ($14.8 million). 

Unless Tejada's willing to accept a discount, sources indicate the Astros won't offer him arbitration, thus making him an attractive free agent on the market. If Houston offers him arbitration and he declines, Tejada will find it more difficult on the free-agent market, since he'll be labeled a Type A free agent. 

The reasoning behind not offering Tejada arbitration would be out of fear he'll accept it, meaning Houston would have to pay him a high salary for 2010.

Basically, if Tejada doesn't take an upfront discounted offer from McLane and Wade during the 15-day negotiating period, it's likely the six-time All-Star shortstop will be wearing a different uniform next season. 

There's a strong possibility that Houston re-signs Hawkins, yet the organization remains up in the air on what to do regarding Valverde, who ranks as one of the top closers on the market.

Last season, the 31-year-old closer made $8 million, and if the Astros want to keep him, they'll have to give him a multi-year contract with a significant raise. 

By not re-signing Tejada, McLane and Wade will have more money to designate toward Valverde, but at the same time, Bourn, Pence and standout lefty Wandy Rodriguez are due a lofty raise since they're eligible for arbitration. 

Wade faces several critical decisions in the upcoming weeks as he gets ready to head to the general managers' meeting in Chicago, which begins Monday. 

Plus, Wade knows the Astros need to upgrade their starting rotation for new manager Brad Mills. As of right now, Oswalt, Rodriguez, Brian Moehler, Bud Norris and an unknown from a possible list of Felipe Paulino, Yorman Bazardo or Wesley Wright represent the starting rotation.

Who knows if Oswalt will successfully bounce back from chronic back problems? 

Then there's Moehler, who had a terrible 2009 season, and will turn 38-years-old in December. Also, Norris still has to prove himself as a reliable starter. 

At this point, Rodriguez is the only reliable option. 

Don't expect the Astros to pursue an expensive starting pitcher such as Lackey. Wade will likely attempt to sign at least one quality starting pitcher, but realistically, he needs to sign two -- one lefty and one righty.

Out of the list of possibilities, the Astros could pursue Erik Bedard, Justin Duchscherer, Garland, Rich Harden, Jason Marquis, Brett Myers, Carl Pavano, Brad Penny, Andy Pettitte, Joel Pineiro, Ben Sheets or Randy Wolf. 

Sheets, a four-time All-Star who missed the entire 2009 season, could be on Wade's radar since he'll be fully recovered from elbow surgery, and he's one of Oswalt's best friends. Also, Sheets is a native of Monroe, La., and resides in Highland Park, Texas. 

If the Astros go down the low-risk, potential high-reward route -- like they often do -- the organization could possibly sign Rich Hill, Pedro Martinez (who played for Mills in Boston in 2004), Jason Schmidt or Smoltz to a discounted rate.

Ultimately, the pressure falls on Wade to make all the necessary improvements while trimming payroll. With the verdict still out in Houston, here's his chance to prove himself as the Astros' general manager this offseason.