2012 MLB Season Preview: Houston Astros

2012 Houston Astros Season Outlook

With GM Ed Wade and President of Baseball Operations Tal Smith gone, the Houston Astros future looks much different and uncertain. New GM Jeff Luhnow is a well-regarded baseball mind from the St. Louis Cardinals, but many have been critical of his early moves thus far. The open-minded farm system builder and manager Brad Mills have already costed the team a win by using Brett Myers as the team’s closer. This is not an ideal move to say the least, and the Astros should try to sign Mike Gonzalez and make him their closer. The team has only one left-handed reliever at the moment, and Gonzalez would definitely be the best reliever on this team if acquired; especially because of his ability to shut down same-handed hitters.

This whole closer mess in Houston stemmed from the only major trade they made in the offseason; the Houston Astros sent closer Mark Melancon to the Boston Red Sox for shortstop Jed Lowire and young pitcher Kyle Weiland. Right now, Weiland will be the emergency starter and get some appearances out of the bullpen in long relief, while Lowrie is one of the team’s better hitters and will start at shortstop. Obviously, the rest of the bullpen is as shaky as ever and is filled with uncertain, young pitchers looking to chomp at the bit. However, this is how it should be for a rebuilding team, and they will get to evaluate these young guns and see if they can fit in.

Although the Astros won the deal in terms of value for value and helped themselves by making the trade, the loss of Melancon- their only closer-worthy pitcher- was a huge blow to the top of the bullpen. Signing Gonzalez is the best option at this point, but he may not want to take a pay cut just to play closer. There is also the issue of whether or not he wants to play for a losing team.

The soon-to-be AL West members, the Houston Astros get to create a rivalry with the more powerful Texas Rangers. It will take some time and more farm system development for the Astros to get anywhere near the Rangers level, and another 100 loss season can be expected. The Astros did not lose many players this offseason, but they didn’t exactly acquire many game-changers either. Pitchers like Livan Hernandez and Zach Duke are solid, veteran depth pitchers for this team, but they will barely make an impact overall.

Jeff Luhnow is charged with righting a ship that has been off course for a few years and hit rock-bottom last season with 106 losses, and it will be another few seasons until the Houston Astros are playoff contenders. This team will have to find and develop players who will slot into specific Major League roles, and it is up to the front office and the coaches in the minors to find these guys; identify their strengths, weaknesses, and future rules;  and to help them develop into the players who can contribute in the Majors. Right now, the Astros can’t worry about finding that big 4 WAR player and must instead focus on developing their guys into solid players who can help this team grow.