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MLB trade rumors have every team shipping away a good player for prospects or for an even better player.

How many of these rumors are actually true we will never know. But with the general managers’ meetings just three weeks away, there is going to be a lot of discussion. And with free agency just starting to kick into high gear, is going to be no shortage of good players available this winter.

The Hot Stove League is starting to fire up so we’ll take a look at who is (reportedly) available and whether or not they will actually be dealt.

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Now that the least interesting World Series in years is finally over, all 30 MLB teams can again have hopes and dreams for the upcoming season. Most of the 2010 playoff teams are again favorites heading into the off-season, but there is always yearly change in who makes the playoffs. 

The following list is mostly compiled of teams who were not competitive at all late into the year. The teams are in order of how much change their 2011 season will be from their respective 2010 seasons. A major motif for these teams is how their youth will take it to the next level.

Here are the teams that were considered afterthoughts in 2010, but who are going to surprise everyone in the 2011 season. 

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Before the past week, Houston was one of the hottest teams in the league since the All-Star break.

But the last six-plus games reminded fans, media, players, and coaches alike of the Astros of 2010’s past—and proof that there’s still some room to grow before the team gets to where it wants to be.

Regardless of the team’s poor play as of late, the Astros absolutely appear to be heading in the right direction.

Youth and talent abound on this promising group of Houston baseball players.

Will 2011 bring about a 180-degree change and an immediate impact in the National League Central?

Not necessarily—but I have a lot more faith heading into 2011 than I did, say, midway through the 2010 campaign.

No matter how fans feel about the Astros management, no one can argue that they haven’t made the right moves to improve this ball club.

They’ve done what was necessary to wipe the slate of aging super stars and replace them with minor league prospects.

Granted, it took a heavy load to begin that rebuilding process—begun by parting ways with ace Roy Oswalt before shutting the door on the Lance Berkman dynasty in the Lone Star State.

But with the exit of Oswalt and Berkman came the new and youthful faces of guys such as Brett Wallace, Chris Johnson, Angel Sanchez, and Jason Bourgeois—along with blossoming newcomers such as J.A. Happ, Brandon Lyon, and Matt Lindstrom.

The 2011 MLB season will be an exciting one for the Houston Astros and it’s fans.

And with just one week of action left in a disappointing season, Astros players and fans alike should keep their heads held high as the team closes the door on a dismal year with eyes set solely on the promising future of Houston’s franchise.

It’s only a matter of time before the Astros return to the top of the NL Central standings.

Are growing pains ahead?

Yes, there’s no doubt about it.

But I have absolute faith in this team.

And I am highly confident that Houston will once again be contenders in the majors by 2012…

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

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Although the Houston Astros have spent a majority of the 2010 season in the cellar of the National League Central, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the team’s future.

Today, we’re going to look at 15 solid reasons to get pumped up about next year’s Astros squad.

Let’s begin by taking a look at five honorable mention candidates before quickly narrowing down to the top 10 players on Houston’s young and talented depth chart with the highest probability of becoming future MLB stars.

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With the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft just around the corner—as coverage and picks begin Monday, June 7—it’s time to take a look back at Houston’s history of draft choices and where the future Astros are today.

Today’s slideshow will focus on the team’s top picks over the past decade, leaving us with 10 names and 10 futures—beginning with the Astros first round pick in the 2000 amateur draft.

Some names will ring a tune of familiarity while others may sound completely off-the-wall (and those players very well may no longer be playing the game), but one thing is certain: Houston must cash in when the 2010 draft begins tomorrow evening, as the Astros will be picking three first round selections.

Let’s begin by looking back to 2000, and we’ll take it from there to tomorrow’s major draft day…

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There are moments in time where sports takes a backburner—and life takes center-stage.

Unfortunately, Major League Baseball has had their share of losses in terms of players dying way too young.

Especially in the past decade.

Today, we’re going to quickly take a look at a trio of former Houston Astros stars—as well as leaders, teammates, and fan-favorites—whose legends will live on forever.

Regardless of their final bows here on Earth…

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With every pitch, Roy Oswalt’s time with the Astros comes one step closer to its end.

One of the game’s premier pitchers since 2001, Oswalt is the biggest bargaining chip for an Astros franchise in desperate need of an overhaul. At age 32 and the author of 139 career wins, Oswalt’s name will be linked to trade talks as the season reaches its make-or-break point in July, where contenders (and pretenders) will dial up Astros general manager Ed Wade with possible scenarios to entice Houston to play “Let’s Make a Deal.”

As the season continues to take form, there are at least five teams that would have the right combination (playoff aspirations, quality young prospects and the ability to absorb the remaining $30-plus million of Oswalt’s contract) that would force the Astros to part ways with the second-winningest pitcher in franchise annals.

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After snapping an eight-game losing streak on Carlos Lee’s walk-off home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 4-2, the Houston Astros are now 9-18 on the season. They are comfortably nestled in last place in the N.L. Central.

Don’t get too excited about the win, Astros fans. The home run was only the first of the season for Lee, who plays in a very right-handed hitter-friendly ballpark and is now dead-even with the infamous Mendoza Line at .200.

Despite the win, Houston was outhit by Arizona 8-4. Brett Myers pitched a good game for the Astros, giving up two hits in seven innings along with three walks and six strikeouts, but as Roy Oswalt has learned, great pitching can get wasted when your team couldn’t get a clutch hit against a pimply, puberty-challenged high school pitcher.

What can the Houston Astros do to improve their hitting? Here are some humble suggestions:

Fire Sean Berry

I have no doubt Berry’s a great guy and I admire what he’s had to overcome as far as his kidney problems, but it doesn’t look like he’s getting the job done. It’s a business, nothing personal.

Stop “Working” the Count

It’s hard to work the count when you’re suddenly down 0-2. Against some pitchers, you have to bring your swinging stick. Lay off the bad pitches, swing at the good ones.

Don’t Become the Pitcher’s Friend

This is something I tell my two youngest sons as they play baseball. Don’t swing at the bad pitches. Make the pitcher either throw you something good or walk you. For the love of Jimmy Wynn and Jose Cruz, please oh please do not swing at bad pitches.

Acquire Good Hitters

It’s pretty sad when Lance Berkman’s hitting .213. Of Houston’s regular hitters, only Michael Bourn is hitting above .300 at .312. Houston does have two guys hitting above .400, but unfortunately, they’re both pitchers. There are lots of players hitting .250 or below.

I wonder why Houston doesn’t have better access to solid hitters in its minor league system, or why it doesn’t go after .300 hitters in trades and free agency? Maybe it’s just the ugly uniforms that make people’s batting averages sink in Houston.

Threaten to Bring Back Dr. Phil

As I jokingly mentioned in a previous post, Dr. Phil came in to motivate Houston to play better. If the threat of Oprah’s favorite pet doctor isn’t scary enough, I don’t know what is.

Bring in Simon Cowell

What could make Astros hitters quiver more than to receive an angry tongue lashing from the man most of America (including myself in a non-personal way) LOVES to hate? I can see it now: “Lance Buh-kman, your hitting is atrocious! You say you may-juhed in ‘eligibility’ at Rice Uni-veh-sity, but what you should’ve may-juhed in was ‘hitting the ball’!”

Knock Over a Few Post-Game Buffet Tables

Billy Martin was notorious for doing this after his team played a bad game. One manager I read about did this also–but never when they served kielbasa (which he loved). Perhaps Brad Mills should knock over a few tables and force the Astros to go to TGI Friday’s. Or maybe he should instruct caterers to serve haggis and split pea soup.

Richard Zowie is a blogger and long-suffering Houston Astros fan. Post comments here or e-mail Richard at richardzowie@gmail.com .

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

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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