There's so many different ways the Astros can improve their starting rotation this winter, such as free agency and trades. As long as they're able to acquire a legitimate number two starter is the most important thing. Whether they can sign C.C. Sabathia or Ben Sheets, or trade for Jake Peavy. Acquiring any of those three starters ( either one ) would make this an instant World Series contender in 2009, because the thought of Oswalt and somebody else on his level taking the mound every two out of five games is the same type of luxury we used to have in 2004, 2005 and 2006, in terms of always knowing we could spark a winning streak at any given time.

To a lesser degree, the Astros also have to improve the back-end of their starting rotation which can include several possibilities as well, such as signing Mike Hampton, re-signing Randy Wolf, quite possibly both, or perhaps trading for somebody like Bronson Arroyo, which is what I wanted this team to do a long time ago when the Reds had him on the trading block.

The Astros need at least two additions ( one top-flight starter and one back-end starter ), regarding their off-season goals when it comes to improving their starting rotation.