Houston, We Have Offense

Houston Astros 2007 Record: 73-89 (4th in NL Central)
2008 Prediction: 3rd in NL Central

In

• Miguel Tejada (BAL) - acquired for Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, and Mike Costanzo - 12/12/07
  
• Geoff Geary and Michael Bourn (PHI) - acquired for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett - 11/7/07
  
• Jose Valverde (ARI) - acquired for Chris Burke, Chad Qualls and Juan Gutierrez - 12/14/07
  
• Oscar Villareal (ATL) - acquired for Josh Anderson - 11/16/07 (signed to a 2 year, $2.85 million contract with a $2 million club option for 2010 - 12/28/07)
  
• Kazuo Matsui (COL) - signed to a 3 year, $16.5 million contract - 12/2/07
  
• Chad Paronto (ATL) - signed to a 1 year, $500,000 contract - 12/18/07
  
• Geoff Blum (SD) - signed to a 1 year, $1.1 million contract with a club option for 2009 - 11/20/07
  
• Doug Brocail (SD) - signed to a 1 year, $2.5 million contract with a club option for 2009 - 11/27/07
  
• Darin Erstad (CHW) - signed to a 1 year, $1 million contract - 12/27/07
  
• Jose Cruz Jr. (SD) - signed to a minor league contract - 11/28/07
  
• Brad Ausmus (HOU) - resigned to a 1 year, $2 million contract - 10/30/07
  
• Jack Cassel (SD) - signed to a 1 year, $400,000 contract - 12/17/07
  
• Reggie Abercrombie (FLA) - claimed off waivers - 10/11/07
  

Out

• Adam Everett (MIN) - signed to a 1 year, $2.8 million contract - 12/13/07
  
• Mike Lamb (MIN) - signed to a 2 year, $6.6 million contract with an option for 2010 - 12/14/07
  
• Craig Biggio - Retired
  
• Jason Jennings (TEX) - signed to a 1 year, $4 million contract - 1/17/08
• Trever Miller (TAM) - signed to a 1 year, $1.6 million contract - 2/6/0
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Orlando Palmeiro
  

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Brad Ausmus/J.R. Towles
1B - Lance Berkman
2B - Kazuo Matsui
3B - Ty Wigginton
SS - Miguel Tejada
LF - Carlos Lee
CF - Michael Bourn
RF - Hunter Pence

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Roy Oswalt
Woody Williams
Wandy Rodriguez
Brandon Backe
Chris Sampson/Felipe Paulino

Projected Opening Day Closer
Jose Valverde

Improvements: Valverde should prove to be a certain upgrade over Lidge. Tejada is undoubtedly an upgrade over Adam Everett. And Kaz Matsui has some big shoes to fill, replacing Houston legend Craig Biggio at second base. The Astros also reeled in Darin Erstad, Reggie Abercrombie and Michael Bourn - all of which will provide depth off the bench and in the outfield in 2008.
Lack of improvements: Once again, Brad Ausmus (almost 39 years of age) is slated to be the starting catcher for the Astros. His back-ups combined for 93 at-bats in 2007. It would have been nice for the team to pick up another pitcher to compliment Oswalt, as Woody Williams, who will turn 42 in '08, may find himself on the doctor's bed more than once this season.
Keys to success: The rest of the rotation, as it is, will have to show great strides and ease the pressure off Oswalt's shoulders in 2008. Kaz Matsui is going to have some big shoes to fill, as he takes over second base for fan favorite Craig Biggio who retired after the 2007 season. Biggio played 20 seasons in an Astro uniform, and now, Matsui will be standing on his grounds. Not to mention, Matsui had a career in Colorado last season, and he will be expected to show that it was more than a fluke year for this Japanese import.