Kuzul

Houston Astros fans will soon be facing a sad reality.

Roy Oswalt is heading elsewhere—and soon.

According to Houston Chronicle sports columnist Richard Justice via Twitter, Astros general manager Ed Wade (pictured at right) confirmed the team’s right-handed ace has asked to be traded.

It was also the talk of the evening during Friday’s night home game at Minute Maid Park against Tampa Bay—as both Astros announcers and sports media alike flocked to Wade for confirmation of Oswalt’s request.

And yes, Oswalt wants out of Houston.

This breaking news comes as the Astros continue to coast in the MLB cellar—holding an overall record of 14-27 through May 21.

No wonder Oswalt wants to leave.

The rebuilding process in Houston has already begun; and the mound dirt will truly hit the fan once Oswalt is traded and no longer donning an Astros uniform.

Saying goodbye to the club’s ace will be tough to swallow, but a majority of fans have seen this coming.

Unfortunately, the Astros just can’t seem to get it together this 2010 season.

Dealing with Houston’s MLB team is like babysitting a bipolar-manic teenager: up, down, up, down…

Eventually, the losing must stop and the Astros must begin looking towards the future.

That first step will be letting go of a big name in return for some young talent.

And it appears that name will be Oswalt’s…

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at denton.ramsey@gmail.com

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The latest Houston sports news to hit the wire (beyond, of course, the whole “Roy Oswalt wants a trade” talk) revolves around former Astros outfielder Willy Taveras.

Since leaving the Astros, Taveras has encountered quite a MLB roller coaster—spending time with the Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, and most recently the Washington Nationals.

Those same Nationals released Taveras earlier today, according to Yahoo Sports and numerous other reports.

Taveras is still speedy.

But question marks surround his ability at the plate.

Batting .200 with just four RBIs this season in Washington, the team was originally planning on sending Taveras down to their Triple-A affiliate for assignment.

In addition, according to a story in the Denver Post, Taveras was working out last week in Houston.

Will the Astros give Taveras another shot in the majors?

Can Taveras turn things around—both for himself and the team—by returning to Houston?

And, most importantly, could this reuniting even work?

With the Astros recently releasing Kaz Matsui, will they now consider signing Taveras?

If Houston’s higher-ups are interested in making something happen, I believe Willy T would be a good fit with the Astros—and who knows, maybe he’ll even begin producing at the plate.

One thing is certain: Houston’s baseball team needs all the help they can get right about now.

Taveras may be a good place to begin…

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at denton.ramsey@gmail.com

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

It’s about time the Houston Astros made a positive move.

That move came in the form of releasing slumping second baseman Kaz Matsui—who has two days to clear waivers.

According to Astros senior director of social media Alyson Footer, the Astros “asked for waivers on Matsui for purposes of granting him release. If he clears wavers in two days, [the] Astros [are] on the hook for [the] remainder of [his] salary.”

Jeff Keppinger will get a majority of the starts at second base, according to Footer.

And Keppinger was more than enormous in his latest outing on Wednesday night, driving in four runs for the Astros to help end the team’s skid in a 7-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Minute Maid Park.

Matsui is batting .141 this season—with just 10 hits in 71 at-bats—through 27 games this season for Houston.

Keppinger, meanwhile, has been a pleasant surprise for the Astros—with the young infielder batting .270 this season with nine doubles and 12 runs batted in (through 33 games and 115 at-bats). 

Check back soon for more information on this latest breaking news coming out of Houston…

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at denton.ramsey@gmail.com

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

With Josh Beckett sidelined for yet another start due to back issues, it’s time to take a look at 10 current pitchers in the majors whose backs SHOULD be hurting them.

Carrying the load for a MLB team can be a burden, and aces such as right-handers Zack Greinke (Kansas City Royals) and Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros) know that all too well.

Today, we’re going to quickly glance at 10 guys who are doing everything in their power to carry the team, but in most cases it’s to no avail.

And with the Astros leading the charge from the cellar, we’ll begin today’s slideshow with Oswalt and his remarkable ERA once again this season in Houston…

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Believe it or not, the Astros have won four games in a row; and three of those victories have come against the first-place Cardinals as Houston swept St. Louis at Busch Stadium.

How, exactly, have the 13-21 Astros taken all three games from the 20-15 Cardinals (on the road on top of that)?

From Lance Berkman heating up at the plate to Hunter Pence’s re-awaking offensive outburst, Houston is on a tear right now.

And it’s a damn long season, so don’t count them out yet.

Here are five good reasons why Astros fans should be smiling, and five solid pieces to Houston continuing their climb from the MLB grave and back into contention in the National League Central…

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Comedian actor Will Ferrell was on hand at Round Rock’s Dell Diamond on Thursday evening, May 6, guest starring for the Express (the Houston Astros’ triple-A affiliate).

After watching a majority of the game from the owner’s suite, Ferrell entertained fans when he emerged from the bullpen as Billy Ray “Rojo” Johnson to start the sixth inning.

The character “Rojo,” an American-born pitcher out of Venezuela, was used as part of a skit during intermission leading up to Ferrell singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in the seventh inning.

Ferrell is in town to host a charity golf tournament, The Will Powered Golf Classic, today (Friday, May 7) at Cimmaron Hills Country Club in Georgetown, Texas.

The tournament benefits Cancer for College, an organization which provides educational scholarships to cancer survivors.

This years marks the first time the gold tourney has come to Central Texas, though it hopefully won’t be the last.

In the slides that follow, you’ll get a quick glimpse of Ferrell at his finest: from press conference quotes to live action on the field of play…

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With the Astros continuing their recent slump and offensive slumber, it’s time to quickly take a look at a few trade options especially if Houston has to begin looking at 2011 rather than making plans for late October.

Big names that are obviously wanted by other clubs include the likes of starting right-handed pitcher Roy Oswalt (who has a no-trade clause), first baseman Lance Berkman (also has a no-trade clause in his contract), and All-Star youngster outfielder Hunter Pence (whom is likely untouchable as a major part of the future of the franchise).

Some other Houston players who may draw some trade interest include outfielder Carlos Lee (who has a big contract that most teams will aim to avoid), second baseman Kaz Matsui (whom has been overpaid and underachieving since joining the Astros), left-handed starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez (a lefty in the rotation is always something big league managers are looking for), and reliever Chris Sampson (who has a sparkling 1.64 ERA this season).

Of the seven aforementioned names, I truly believe Berkman and Pence are in Houston to stay. All five others, however, (including starters Oswalt and Rodriguez) could very well be used as part of a major trade as the Astros begin building towards the future around the young guys like outfielders Pence and Michael Bourn, pitcher Bud Norris, and infielders Jeff Keppinger and Tommy Manzella (just to name a handful of the up-and-comers in the majors).

Could Roy Oswalt be pitching elsewhere come late summer?

Will Carlos Lee still be an Astro in August?

Is Wandy Rodriguez going to be with the ball club next year?

All these answers and more as we quickly delve into possible trade scenarios surrounding the Houston Astros and the future of the franchise…

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Right about now, some may be questioning whether or not Houston’s turnaround is legit; especially after the Astros got swept by the Cincinnati Reds after winning eight of their prior 11 games.

But, let me tell you something: this team has begun the turnaround, and the Houston Astros are well on their way to contending in the National League Central this season.

Although they may not be the hottest thing to hit the diamond in April, May will likely be a different story and it will be a time for the Astros to prove to the doubters that they can and will contend in 2010.

Here are five reasons why, in my opinion, the Houston Astros’ turnaround is indeed authentic…

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