Kuzul

At first glance, identifying the five best catching prospects in the Houston Astros’ system is like deciding which Jersey Shore cast member to invite to your niece’s Christening. It’s a quandary, really*. Your options are pretty bad across the board.

Scouring the Houston system for promising catchers wasn’t easy; in fact, it was darn near impossible. Truth be told, I was tempted to just start and end this list with the words “Craig Biggio” and hope everyone reading was 45 or older. Fortunately, my better judgment won out; the last thing I need is all 12 Astro’s fans mad at me**. I’ve never messed with Texas, and believe me, I don’t plan on starting now.

But seriously, as Astros fans flock to the ‘net in need of baseball info, it’s our job at Bleacher Report to try our best to make the best of a bad situation, so I’ve compiled a list of the five most promising catching prospects in the Houston system.

Proceed with caution: you’re about to miss Brad Ausmus more than you ever thought you could.  

(Author’s note No. 1: Any Jersey Shore aficionado knows the clear answer to this question is Vinny. If a question is ever aimed at determining which of the Seaside gorillas is the most normal, acceptable, or redeemable, the answer is always Vinny.)

(Author’s note No. 2: Kidddingggggg…)

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After the Houston Astros traded Roy Oswalt last summer, there has been a glaring need for a true ace, someone who can anchor the top of the rotation and set an example for the rest of the pitchers. Brett Myers pitched well down the stretch for them last year but does not have the talent to be that true ace the Astros need.

Cliff Lee is a great example of the difference a true ace can have on a team. The Texas Rangers played very well after they traded with Seattle for Lee. He set a great example for the rest of the young pitchers like CJ Wilson and Tommy Hunter. The Astros need this kind of leadership with young pitchers like J.A. Happ and Bud Norris being relied on to play key roles this year. 

Here are 10 trade ideas that would allow the Astros to acquire that top-of-the-line pitcher. Some of these pitchers may not be considered true aces right now but have the potential to become that true ace.

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With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training next week, teams around the league are looking to shore up their rosters and prepare for the season ahead. In Houston, Astros GM Ed Wade has some big decisions not only in the next few months, but also important choices for the future of the franchise.

Wade made a lot of big deals this offseason, notably bringing in Bill Hall and Clint Barmes for veteran support in the middle of the infield and also signing veteran ace Wandy Rodriguez to a new three year, $34 million contract.

However, a long road lies ahead of the Astros. They have a strong core of talent on their roster but are probably another year or two away from being legitimate contenders for a World Series title.

That being said, many players on their roster could be desired by playoff caliber teams with injuries and teams looking for the missing piece to their Fall Classic puzzle.

The ten players on this list should be seen as untouchable by GM Ed Wade this season—players who should not be cut, traded or lost to free agency by the time the season is over. Each of these 10 players has an important role to play in not only the 2011 season, but also the future of the franchise.

Here then are the 10 players who will be reporting to Kissimmee, Florida in as little as eight days who should be reporting there in 2012 as well.

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The New York Yankees were probably very disappointed this week to hear that Andy Pettitte has decided to retire instead of return for another season with the Bronx Bombers. Now heading into spring training this leaves two big holes in their starting rotation that will most likely be filled by either Ivan Nova, Sergio Mitre, Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia.

As the season progresses, the Yankees may start looking outside the organization to fill these pitcher spots if the pitchers struggle. One pitcher they may consider is Brett Myers of the Houston Astros. Myers had a strong year in 2010 for the Astros and was the best pitcher on that staff after Oswalt was traded. If the Astros start off slow and fall out of the race early, Brett Myers may be a player that they look to move in 2011 and the Yankees make sense to be a team that Myers ends up with.

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If a team in a rebuilding process is smart and gets the right pieces, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that a team could be playoff bound after one to two years of rebuilding. Last year, the Houston Astros felt it was time to start over and traded away Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt and replaced them with young players like Brett Wallace and J.A. Happ. After these trades happened, the Astros actually started to play better and more competitive baseball down the stretch.

When talking about the NL Central, many people will talk about the improved rotation of the Brewers, the Cardinals led by Pujols and Holliday or the NL Central defending champion Cincinnati Reds led by reigning NL MVP Joey Votto.

However, there is one team that people are not giving a chance, and that is the Houston Astros. After the moves they made in 2010 and how they finished the year before, they are ready to turn this three-horse race for the NL Central in 2011 to a four-team battle.

Here are 10 reasons why the Astros will surprise people in 2011.

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The Houston Astros about halfway through last season decided to enter rebuilding mode by trading both Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt.

However, there is one more expensive piece currently on the team that could offer some quality pieces in return to help the rebuilding process, and that is Carlos Lee.

El Caballo does have some things working against him that may make a trade tougher for the Astros. He is getting up there in age and would struggle in the field. He also will be making $19 million this season. He is on the downside of his career and probably wouldn’t be able to bring top talent in return.

However, he could still contribute to a team for another two to three years, playing DH for a team that is looking for a power hitter for the middle of its lineup. Here are 10 trades that would make sense for both teams.

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The free agent cycle for baseball seems to be wrapping up. The final major names are beginning to get contracts, and most teams have stopped shopping around and are just trying to get things sorted out for next season.

While some teams made moves to make a playoff push next year, other teams have gotten rid of their stars and are relying on rebuilding this year. Nonetheless, there are a few teams that are continuing to make moves, even as spring training approaches. Which teams are set, and which continue to make moves?

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I think if you asked a bunch of Boston Red Sox fans who was the MVP of the team in 2010, some would say Adrian Beltre, some would say David Ortiz, and others would say Bill Hall. If I had to vote for a team MVP for the Red Sox in 2010, I would vote for Hall.

The Red Sox had an injury-plagued 2010 season and Hall’s ability to play seemingly every position on the field helped the Red Sox tremendously. Hall actually played seven different positions including pitcher in 2010. And oh yeah, he also managed to hit 18 home runs and had his highest OPS since 2007 (.740).

Hall didn’t want to be a super-utility player again in 2011 and was looking for a full-time job this winter. He found that full-time job in Houston.

The Houston Astros signed Hall to a one-year, $3.25 million contract with a $4 million mutual option for 2012. While Hall can play a plethora of positions, he will be the Astros’ starting second baseman in 2011.

One year and $3.25 million is a good deal for Hall and the Astros.

Hall will join Clint Barmes, who was acquired by the Astros earlier this offseason, as the new Astros double-play combination. What’s interesting is that second base was Hall’s worst position defensively according to UZR. Though, if it’s any consolation, Hall did play the position at an above-average level from 2006 to 2009.

Offensively, Hall did a lot of good things in 2010. His 18 home runs were his highest since 2006 (35), his K percentage dropped by five percent, and his BB percentage was his highest since 2006.

What was interesting about Hall’s season was that the right-handed Hall was terrible against left-handed pitching. Hall only hit .199 in 163 plate appearances. His career BA against lefties is .259, so I expect him to improve on that number in 2011.

If Hall can replicate his 2010 for the Astros, then they will have a nice little signing on their hands.

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In baseball, divisions can be won or lost based on what a team does in the winter months, and perhaps more so than any other division, the NL Central could be decided by a few key off season moves.

The division looks to be a three team race between the Cardinals, Reds, and Cubs. The Brewers are also capable of making some noise, while the Astros and Pirates are in the middle of rebuilding and could see marked improvement in the years to come.

What follows are the ten moves that could be the difference in the NL Central this coming season, whether it is by strengthening one of the front runners or improving one of the divisions bottom teams and making for a tougher division top to bottom.

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MLB rumors are starting to heat up about some of the league’s biggest stars.

And with the winter meetings just a week away, there is sure to be a lot of wheeling and dealing.

Between the 2011 free agency class, the one to follow a year later, and the changes to a few managers/front offices (Mets, Cubs, Toronto, Atlanta) the makeup of several teams is likely to change over the next few weeks.

Inside we’ll take a look at the top 50 players who could be on their way to be in a new locker room next spring.

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