Five Potential Targets for the Astros Going Forward

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The Houston Astros have certainly done a solid job in upgrading their team heading into the 2015 season. The additions of Luke Gregerson, Pat Neshek and Jed Lowrie will certainly upgrade both the bullpen and either short or third for the Astros going forward. If the younger players on the team take that next step forward, then the 2015 could truly be an exciting time in Houston.

However, that does not mean that all of the Astros problems have been addressed. In fact, far from it. They could still use another arm in the bullpen, either a third baseman or a shortstop, depending on where Lowrie plays, help in left field, and potentially, another starting pitcher. This would appear to be quite the shopping list.

Yet, the Astros still have assets they could move in trade if need be. Jason Castro would be an attractive option for a team in need of help at catcher, and may be a piece the Astros could move to improve one of their own weaknesses. While most of the quality free agents have been picked through at this point, there are still several free agents available that could help.

While Max Scherzer or James Shields would certainly improve the Astros, the idea is for this look through to be realistic. With that in mind, here are five possible targets, in no particular order, that the Astros could focus on to improve the 2015 roster.

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5. Francisco Rodriguez

While the Astros theoretically have their closer set with either Luke Gregerson or Chad Qualls, it certainly would not hurt to have a pitcher in the bullpen with the experience of having saved over 300 games over his career. Francisco Rodriguez would be exactly that pitcher.

Last season, while serving as the Brewers closer, Rodriguez made the All-Star team once again. Oerall, he posted a 3.04 ERA and a 0.985 WHiP, striking out 73 batters against 18 walks in 68 innings. Even as the Brewers faltered late last year, he still finished third in the National League with 44 saves. He is certainly the type of pitcher that could make an impact on a bullpen.

Likely to serve in a setup role if the Astros were to sign him, Francisco Rodriguez would also add a level of protection should Gregerson prove that he is not capable of serving as a closer. As someone who has served in both roles himself, Rodriguez has been comfortable in both roles, performing quite well aside from the anomaly of his 2012 campaign with the Mets.

Rodriguez would also have another role on the team. Like Gregerson and Lowrie, he has been through the postseason before, even winning a World Series as a rookie in 2002. He can help show a young Astros team what it takes to be a winning franchise. That type of intangible can have some value.

With the Astros still in need of help in the bullpen, Francisco Rodriguez could be worth a look at the right  price.

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3. Kelly Johnson

Much like how Lowrie can fill in and potentially solve the Astros problems at either short of third, Kelly Johnson could fit in a myriad of places around the diamond, as he had experience at first, second, third and left. That versatility is valuable for any team, but for a team with the types of questions that the Astros have, it may be even more valuable.

With the Astros having holes in left and at third, plus the question of whether or not Jon Singleton will take the next step in his development, Johnson fits perfectly as a low cost security blanket. If any of the options that Astros have in the lineup are struggling, Johnson could fill in and provide a bit of pop.

A career .250/.333/.423 hitter with 131 home runs, Kelly Johnson would not even need to be a true starter to have an impact upon the Astros. Given his ability to play numerous positions, Johnson could well appear in close to 100 games, yet not even appear in 30 games at any one spot. A solid veteran who could provide players with needed days off without losing much in the lineup, Johnson would certainly be an interesting addition.

Another factor in Johnson’s favor for the Astros is that he is likely to come cheaply. After all, that combined .215/.296/.362 batting line is not exactly something that cries out for teams to batter down his door with multi year deals worth several millions of dollars. Yet, for a one year deal worth $1 or $2 Million, Johnson could be quite the bargain for the Astros.

Kelly Johnson may not be a super star, but he is the type of player that could help the Astros win this season.

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2. Domonic Brown

At this time last year, it appeared as though Domonic Brown was on his way towards the start of a stellar career. He made the All-Star Game, and had produced a .272/.324/.494 batting line with 27 home runs. After years of the Phillies waiting for Brown to develop, it appeared he turned the corner and was set to be one of the young players the Phillies desperately needed to build around.

What a difference a year makes. Instead of appearing to be a building block, the Phillies may be looking to part ways with the mercurial outfielder after his disappointing .235/.285/.349 batting line and ten home runs last year. In fact, Brown may be in need of a change of scenery, getting away from Philadelphia altogether.

For the Astros, in need of a left fielder, Domonic Brown may be worth the chance. He is only 27 years old, and theoretically about to enter his prime. If he can prove to be that player he was in 2013, or anything close to the player who the Phillies expected him to be when he rapidly ascended the ranks of the minor leagues, he could truly be a bargain.

As this point, the Phillies may not be asking for much for Brown. With his potentially low trade value, he may be worth taking a risk on for the Astros.

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1. Edwin Jackson

Yes, Edwin Jackson has been a disaster with the Cubs, posting a 14-33 record with a 5.58 ERA and a 1.541 WHiP. Yes, he still has two more seasons on his ridiculous contract worth another $26 Million combined. Yes, having Jackson on the mound over the past two seasons has been the baseball equivalent of dumping petrol on a fire. But hear me out on this one.

First, and for obvious reasons, Jackson would come cheaply and the Cubs may be willing to pick up a large chunk of that remaining contract just to get him out of town. With that being the case, the Astros would not need to break the bank, nor give up one of their better prospects, for a pitcher who has, at times, displayed flashes of brilliance.

Secondly, and as strange as this may sound, Edwin Jackson’s tenure in Chicago may not be as bad as it would appear. His FIP for those two seasons with the Cubs is only 4.09, meaning that, under normalize circumstances, his ERA should have been a run and a half lower. If that would have been the case, Jackson’s contract and performance would be looked at in a different light.

Jackson may simply be a pitcher who needs a change of scenery. Going to the Astros, in a ballpark that is better suited for pitchers, could bring his performance back to acceptable levels. If the Cubs are willing to eat a large portion of his salary, and the Astros do not need to give up a decent prospect, he could be worth that gamble.