Quote: Even so, outside of a big name pitcher for whom I don't want the Astros to overpay (years or dollars - is that even possible in this MLB market?), I'm not sure that's the right way to go anymore. The Astros have played the free agent market for several years now and look where it's gotten them. Uncle Drayton needs to spend his money on the depleted farm system. It should be the #1 priority, at least.


The Astros have done a good job of signing their draftees so far, and they haven't had an opportunity to sign their No. 1 pick, but I think when that happens, this will turn out to be a good draft, signing-wise. And I expect the same to happen next year. So, I really don't see a trade off between spending on free agents and on the draft...it's not a mutually exclusive choice. I think Drayton will have to do both. As it stands now, it looks like the Astros will have a top 15 draft pick, which means that they can sign free agents without any draft implications. I don't think there is any way around the fact that the Astros will have to go to the free agent market for starting pitching. Nobody in the farm system looks like they will be ready. The Astros will have 2-3 vacant slots in their rotation.

It's too early to have definitive opinions on whom the astros should sign. We don't know for certain who will be available (i.e., won't be re-signed by their current team) and we don't what the market will look like yet. If it is feasible, I would like to see the Astros try to sign Ben Sheets. He is from this region (Louisiana) and his reputation for the injury bug may hold down his price tag a bit. However, I think the injury risk is tolerable, because his injuries seem to be more random than systematic.