How much of a reduced salary is Doug Brocail willing to accept is another question I have? He's going from a potential $3.2 million ( had the Astros exercised his option ) to about what number exactly?

I wouldn't bring him back for anything more than a one-year deal worth $1.5 million ( even though his price tag was $2.5 million last year ), quite simply because I'm concerned about his age and there are some definite durability issues. Why do we have to pamper Doug Brocail ( giving him less of a workload ) when there are young workhorses that can be had for the fraction of his salary?

Doug Brocail had a good season in 2008, producing an ERA of 3.93 ERA during 68.2 innings but I have my doubts that he'll duplicate those same numbers in 2009, at the age of 42.

Even with a lesser workload, it wouldn't be out of the question to see his ERA going north in a hurry, as his career is winding down.