“I think a lot of people want to point to our question marks, and they don’t want to point to our exclamation points,” Astros general manager Ed Wade said. “The question marks being: Well, beyond Roy, are the other four starters capable of going deep into games? Is this going to be a breakout year for Michael Bourn? And I think the answer to both of those questions is yes.
The two things Ed Wade is talking about are eggszactly the things that could turn this team of suspicion into a team of contention. But Ed ain't gonna fool hisself either, one or two of those guys behind Roy and perhaps even Roy himself could turn south easily not because of lack of talent (that is not the problem in Houston. At. All.). The thing that precludes the Astros from being given credit is the age and injury possibilities that could bite this team. So while his team works their way through to Memorial Day, WadeSmith will indeed monitor who he has in reserve. It will be the reserves who will help him sleep at night. If Bud Norris is doing well in AAA, he'll sleep well. Same with Capellan and of course this year I doubt WadeSmith can honestly say one of his starters is going to go MMA on him either (that is a huge plus).
Last year, Wade dealt with this early: Valverde was shaky, Roy was missing his curve (and because he was a bit gimpy) and Chacon was looney. He rectified it by promoting Moehler, getting Wolf and then seeing Roy become the premiere Ace in the NL that he's capable of. Roy went from pedestrian to All-Star performer and that was HUGE! This year? Wade needs Capellan and Norris to provide insurance so those two should have their head screwed on right down in AAA so that is a concern put to rest early. Else it's time to monitor the trade rumors in and around the league. In a minor way (pun intended) Alberto Arias should keep his chin up as well... one of the bullpen guys might struggle not due to lack veteran savvy but lack of gas left in the tank, so he needs to be the insurance they can turn to.
So that leaves Michael Bourn.
Whaaaa?
Ed Wade has now put it out there for everyone to read: He expects Michael Bourn to have a breakout year! Well, he better tell that to Cecil Cooper, like soon maybe. Batting 8th, the best one can expect is nominal expectations out of a guy whose primary task is to try and avoid having the pitcher lead off the next inning. How can that lead to a breakout year?
