Odds & Ends: Astros, Indians, Reds, O's, Reyes

The Astros ranked 25th in starters ERA at 4.79, and though they were 13th in FIP, this is a rotation that is about as top heavy as any in the game. Even that is assuming that Roy Oswalt's 4.65 ERA over the second half is nothing to worry about next year.

Moehler, Paulino, Norris - not a very good 3-4-5. Now of course if that "one starter" Ned Yost is speaking of is a very good starter, then I'd agree, but this is a team with close to half their payroll tied up in three players, so don't expect a Lackey-type signing.

If they think that, they might as well go out and sign Texan native John Lackey. I mean, if they have no plans in rebuilding, you might as well go out and put all your eggs in one basket, as the saying goes.

Ned Yost just wants a job. In reality, the Astros are about three good starters away from having a good rotation.

Brian Moehler? Didn't he retire last decade?

Norris and Paulino aren't proven, but both are potential 3-4 quality starters next season, going by their FIP and pure unadulterated *stuff*. If they can find more refinement, both could be important parts of the Astros' rotation.

Moehler is a good backup/spot starter. If Oswalt bounces back to his 2005-2007 self, I'd pit the Astros #1-2 against almost anyone in the league. That leaves a #3 to acquire.

If that #3 is John Lackey, or a healthy, top-of-his-game Harden, Sheets, etc, then yes... the Astros rotation will be very good indeed. If the #3 is a Doug Davis/Jon Garland type, their rotation will be merely average.

Unfortunately the Astros offense sucks, so even if the rotation is top notch, they might merely find themselves in the Giants' shoes. It's a shame though because a wisely spent $30 million could make the Astros a top contender. They will only have $10 million to spend, so unless they get very lucky with some young players, they don't stand much of a chance.