Wanted--New Crew for Ship Being Abandoned

In the martitime world when it is time to abandon ship that means it is sinking and is done for. In baseball when it is time to abandon ship that means the crew is jumping off, but the ship itself will contine to sail. The latter is the situation with the Houston Astros.

A team called the Houston Astros will continue to play baseball in the major leagues. It simply appears there will be a new staff of "sailors" getting it through the seas.

How soon will this happen? Now it appears it may happen within weeks or surely just a couple months and may ultimately involve a number of players considered icons with the team.

Roy Oswalt could be first. He and his agent have made a formal request for a trade. He can't demand it and the Astros can't even assure it. But his wishes are quite well known now. Any contending club that is just a starting pitcher away from perhaps being a champion will be contacting GM Ed Wade. Ed won't have to do a thing except put his scouts to work making sure the prospects or players the Astros might get in return for the franchise's all time 2nd winningest pitcher are sure fire future contributors to the Astros. Then the new club will have to get Oswalt's approval.

Lance Berkman could be second to go. In his case, however, he has to prove to the baseball world that his slow start in 2010 and his less than lofty 2009 season were not the result of a slowing bat and indicators of career decline. He has to get hot for the Astros pretty soon. His run of pop ups, soft fly balls and easy grounders must end.

While what he has left in the tank may be a question for some, his contract status makes him worth a gamble perhaps. He has only an option year after this. A club that picked him up in August, for instance, would only be obligated to pay the final weeks of his salary this season plus the buy out clause in the option. Berkman, like Oswalt, has a no trade clause, but has indicated that could be waivable. It still could be a sticking point, however. Players in situations like Lance's have often accepted trades only if a new deal is negotiated with the acquiring team before the trade is agreed to.

Other players on the club who could be traded with only the question of what value in return include everyone except Carlos Lee. He, too, has a no trade clause and unlike Oswalt or Berkman has made no indication he would consider waiving it.

But players like Hunter Pence, Wandy Rodriguez, Matt Lindstrom and even Michael Bourn could be significant trade bait. Fans don't need to worry, though. It is highly unlikely all of them would be or could be traded in a one year period. That is too difficult and would involve a great deal of risk.

Less risk for Lindstrom since he will be a free agent at the end of the season. The Astros have a closer on staff in Brandon Lyon who is under a three year deal. And, teams rebuilding and not pennant contenders don't really need a closer as good as Lindstrom has been. He could be a prime trade candidate in a month or so.

Even Drayton McLane, Jr., Astro owner, admits it is time to make changes. He has been every bit as disgusted at what he has seen so far this year as the most critical fan. In a story written by Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle, McLane admits changes have to be made. He also says the Astros will make them.

In good times--as during the bulk of the Biggio/Bagwell era-- team icons and favorites were able to stick around and finish their careers in Astro uniforms. This is not an Astro good time now and really has not been for at least four years. That is why Oswalt wants out and Berkman may follow. It is why younger players like Pence and even Bourn may have to be sacrificed for the greater good if the right deals presented themselves.

The Astros have to change. The fans know it. The owner knows it. The players know it too.