Lineup i hope to see

[JimR]

Biggio 2B
Lamb/Loretta 3B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Scott RF
Pence CF
Everett SS
Ausmus/Q C
P

if Biggio sits, Pence to leadoff, and Lamb to 6 hole

trade Ensberg/Lane/Burke for whatever possible

Ransom/Conrad/Burke can be a utility player if Loretta/Lamb take over 3B.

Munson is having a solid year in AAA. LH power, can C and play 1B.

bench is much weaker with Lamb/Loretta playing. Lane could sure help, but will he? not much bat help in RR. Randolph can help in MLB, imo.

you trade mavens get busy, and get Ensberg moving. he is irritating as hell to watch.

[Navin R Johnson]

Biggio 2B
Lamb/Loretta 3B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Scott RF
Pence CF
Everett SS
Ausmus/Q C
P

How is that not the regular lineup?   It seems pretty obvious that is getting your best guys on the field.   It seems  the astros are close to going that route, but as long as Ensberg is still here, I am guessing he is going to be 60%+ of the starts at third.

[Lefty]

How is that not the regular lineup?

Given the last 2 games, it might be, or else soon.  Garner's "day to day" notwithstanding.

[Fredia]

Given the last 2 games, it might be, or else soon.  Garner's "day to day" notwithstanding.

i know he was talking about his trio at third , but then he gave moberg another chance. he looked weak at the at bat today. i think that there will be the other two out there more and more. as for pence leading off when biggio sits , you have to like his attitude. when he went from first to home he said i was watching the coaches call. that is what you have to do

[Mr. Happy]

Biggio 2B
Lamb/Loretta 3B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Scott RF
Pence CF
Everett SS
Ausmus/Q C
P

if Biggio sits, Pence to leadoff, and Lamb to 6 hole

trade Ensberg/Lane/Burke for whatever possible

Ransom/Conrad/Burke can be a utility player if Loretta/Lamb take over 3B.

Munson is having a solid year in AAA. LH power, can C and play 1B.

bench is much weaker with Lamb/Loretta playing. Lane could sure help, but will he? not much bat help in RR. Randolph can help in MLB, imo.

you trade mavens get busy, and get Ensberg moving. he is irritating as hell to watch.

Spot on. MoBerg watching strike three today as a PH and Lane's relatively poor AB's didn't help the trade value of either one of them.

[JimR]

the team is better with the run-producer Ensberg hitting 5 or 6, but for reasons known only to him, that Ensberg appears to be past history. as Noe has said many times, if he refuses to be a run producer, get him out of here.

[Reuben]

the team is better with the run-producer Ensberg hitting 5 or 6, but for reasons known only to him, that Ensberg appears to be past history. as Noe has said many times, if he refuses to be a run producer, get him out of here.

At this point, it seems that he refuses to be even a singles hitter...it's one thing to watch a lot of pitches, maybe strike out a lot, but hit 40 HR and drive in 90-100 runs; then you're at least Adam Dunn. It's another thing to walk a lot, hit singles, and be a decent #2 hitter...then you're, what, Kevin Youkilis or somebody. But Ensberg hit .230ish last year and is hitting .217 so far this year...I'm guessing that and the $5 mil salary are scaring other teams away.

Meanwhile, Lamb seems to have done a pretty good impression of the run-producer Ensberg the last year or three. Hmmm...

[MusicMan]

Ensberg, Lane, and Burke should be traded for anything resembling a position prospect.

I am sincerely hoping for a Braves bulpen meltdown so that they'll consider a Saltalamacchia for Lidge swap at the deadline.

[JimR]

Ensberg, Lane, and Burke should be traded for anything resembling a position prospect.

I am sincerely hoping for a Braves bulpen meltdown so that they'll consider a Saltalamacchia for Lidge swap at the deadline.

Lidge ain't on my trade list.

[MusicMan]

Lidge ain't on my trade list.

The more I think about it, the more I think that this team has very few chips with which to reload.  Lidge, to me, represents the highest in value and reundancy once everyone realizes he's back.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

The more I think about it, the more I think that this team has very few chips with which to reload.  Lidge, to me, represents the highest in value and reundancy once everyone realizes he's back.

Interesting.  When I look at the pitching staff, I don't see a single unnecessary redundancy.

[JimR]

The more I think about it, the more I think that this team has very few chips with which to reload.  Lidge, to me, represents the highest in value and reundancy once everyone realizes he's back.

which is why i would not trade him. the exception to my no trade would be if the team thinks Qualls can close. Wheeler is not a long term solution.

[MusicMan]

which is why i would not trade him. the exception to my no trade would be if the team thinks Qualls can close. Wheeler is not a long term solution.

As they mentioned in the broadcast yesterday... Quals will be pushing to become a closer soon, once he starts looking at the $$$ involved.

I agree re: Wheeler.

[JimR]

Interesting.  When I look at the pitching staff, I don't see a single unnecessary redundancy.

6-8 inning guys are always redundant. there are lots of pitchers who can do this.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

6-8 inning guys are always redundant. there are lots of pitchers who can do this.

I agree, but you also need to have a few around.  Preferably, guys who are effective and consistant.  If Houston has a guy that's ready to replace any of the 6-8 inning guys, by all means.  But until that proves to be the case, they need every arm in that bullpen.  Moehler is the one exception and as far as I can tell, he's insurance should Wandy, Sampson, or Albers struggle consistantly.

[JimR]

I agree, but you also need to have a few around.  Preferably, guys who are effective and consistant.  If Houston has a guy that's ready to replace any of the 6-8 inning guys, by all means.  But until that proves to be the case, they need every arm in that bullpen.  Moehler is the one exception and as far as I can tell, he's insurance should Wandy, Sampson, or Albers struggle consistantly.

Albers (when Jennings returns) or Randolph to name just two. pitch Bork more. these guys are not hard to find.

[Froback]

Albers (when Jennings returns) or Randolph to name just two. pitch Bork more. these guys are not hard to find.

The problem is, because these guys are not hard to find, you don't tend to get much in trades for them either, unless a team is really desperate.  Lidge might yield something more because he is a closer and the Astros do have some decent candidates to replace him both in AAA and in Qualls/Wheeler.... although Wheeler is highly limited in that area IMO.

[JimR]

The problem is, because these guys are not hard to find, you don't tend to get much in trades for them either, unless a team is really desperate.  Lidge might yield something more because he is a closer and the Astros do have some decent candidates to replace him both in AAA and in Qualls/Wheeler.... although Wheeler is highly limited in that area IMO.

Lidge is who the discussion is about. his talent is not redundant; the others are.

[MusicMan]

Lidge is who the discussion is about. his talent is not redundant; the others are.

His talent is not redundant, but his role is.  I am making the large assumption that Qualls could close - if the team feels otherwise, then they should move Qualls or Wheeler.

[Jacksonian]

Albers (when Jennings returns) or Randolph to name just two. pitch Bork more. these guys are not hard to find.

Albers goes back down when/if Jennings comes back.

When Garner puts Lidge back at the closers role and he is successful then they should be able to move closer experienced Wheeler to a team needing a closer.  Call up Randolph and be done with it.  Garner would then have the 2 lefties he's wanted.

[Jacksonian]

Ensberg, Lane, and Burke should be traded for anything resembling a position prospect.

I am sincerely hoping for a Braves bulpen meltdown so that they'll consider a Saltalamacchia for Lidge swap at the deadline.

I'd rather they dealt Wheeler or Qualls later to a team with a legit 3b prospect.  Towles at Salem is every bit the catcher/hitter Salty is.

[Mr. Happy]

His talent is not redundant, but his role is.  I am making the large assumption that Qualls could close - if the team feels otherwise, then they should move Qualls or Wheeler.

Qualls's stuff is good enough to be a closer, IMO.

[Froback]

Qualls's stuff is good enough to be a closer, IMO.

While I agree, stuff is ussually not the big factor in a closer.  Mental toughness is.  And often times, you really never can tell that in a pitcher until he is put there.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Qualls's stuff is good enough to be a closer, IMO.

While this may or may not be true, his consistancy is not where it needs to be as a closer.  If I were to make a comparison back to the Lidge-Dotel-Wagner trio, he's the Dotel of the group.  Talented but not quite dominant enough to be your go-to guy, a.k.a. closer.  Doesn't mean he couldn't close but he's not the best option on this team. 

And I second the motion that should Lidge re-establish himself as a dominant closer, Wheeler's value is thru the roof.  He's cheap, under club control, and experienced in the role.  You might even get a major-league ready minor-leaguer in that trade.

[JimR]

While this may or may not be true, his consistancy is not where it needs to be as a closer.  If I were to make a comparison back to the Lidge-Dotel-Wagner trio, he's the Dotel of the group.  Talented but not quite dominant enough to be your go-to guy, a.k.a. closer.  Doesn't mean he couldn't close but he's not the best option on this team. 

And I second the motion that should Lidge re-establish himself as a dominant closer, Wheeler's value is thru the roof.  He's cheap, under club control, and experienced in the role.  You might even get a major-league ready minor-leaguer in that trade.

you're saying Wheeler has better closer's stuff than Qualls? i disagree.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

you're saying Wheeler has better closer's stuff than Qualls? i disagree.

No, not what I meant.  Wheeler makes a better closer because he challenges the hitter and doesn't give up walks, although we've all seen the homeruns.  Qualls has better stuff but will walk more batters.  He definitely has the ability to beat most hitters with his stuff, from what I've seen.  In my opinion, the only thing keeping Qualls from becoming a dominant closer is his consistancy, or lack of.  I'm sure there are a number of teams willing to give him the closer role.  He's just not the best option on the Astros roster. 

Wheeler is fun to watch because he throws strikes and goes after hitters.  But I'd say he's just as likely to induce a ground ball as he is to k the hitter.  Would you say any of Wheeler's pitches is over-powering? 

[JimR]

No, not what I meant.  Wheeler makes a better closer because he challenges the hitter and doesn't give up walks, although we've all seen the homeruns.  Qualls has better stuff but will walk more batters.  He definitely has the ability to beat most hitters with his stuff, from what I've seen.  In my opinion, the only thing keeping Qualls from becoming a dominant closer is his consistancy, or lack of.  I'm sure there are a number of teams willing to give him the closer role.  He's just not the best option on the Astros roster. 

Wheeler is fun to watch because he throws strikes and goes after hitters.  But I'd say he's just as likely to induce a ground ball as he is to k the hitter.  Would you say any of Wheeler's pitches is over-powering? 

no, and i hope he is back to a setup role soon. that time bomb's ticking is getting very loud.

[Mr. Happy]

While this may or may not be true, his consistancy is not where it needs to be as a closer.  If I were to make a comparison back to the Lidge-Dotel-Wagner trio, he's the Dotel of the group.  Talented but not quite dominant enough to be your go-to guy, a.k.a. closer.  Doesn't mean he couldn't close but he's not the best option on this team. 

And I second the motion that should Lidge re-establish himself as a dominant closer, Wheeler's value is thru the roof.  He's cheap, under club control, and experienced in the role.  You might even get a major-league ready minor-leaguer in that trade.

Wheeler's role really should be as a 6-8th inning guy. IMO, Qualls is a better option as closer right now than either Lidge or Wheeler, although I think that Lidge has the best stuff to be the closer. He just needs more time to re-establish his confidence.

[WulawHorn]

no, and i hope he is back to a setup role soon. that time bomb's ticking is getting very loud.

wheeler grip, grip, regripping in the glove stresses me out a little bit. I wish he worked a little bit faster.

[WulawHorn]

The problem is, because these guys are not hard to find, you don't tend to get much in trades for them either, unless a team is really desperate.  Lidge might yield something more because he is a closer and the Astros do have some decent candidates to replace him both in AAA and in Qualls/Wheeler.... although Wheeler is highly limited in that area IMO.

If you could get something of real value for Lidge that would plug a different hole I wouldn't mind seeing that. You have to trade something of value to get something of value, and the stros have always been able to find adequate closers.  Lidge for a run producer (prefereably at 3b makes sense). If you could duck tape Moberg to him and get a legit 3b run producer I would be in favor.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

no, and i hope he is back to a setup role soon. that time bomb's ticking is getting very loud.

That thought has crossed my mind.  But don't tell the average fan.  They think Wheeler is just the greatest!  Don't get me wrong, he's gotten the job done but he's usually within range of falling off the edge.  I don't see how anyone "feels" better about Wheeler in a tight save situation over Lidge. 

As for Lidge, he's been outstanding lately.  I even wonder if some of his "wild" fastballs were intentional to get the hitter out of his comfort zone.  Okay, maybe not, but I think hitters look less confident when they face him compared to earlier this season. 

[Nate in IA]

If you could get something of real value for Lidge that would plug a different hole I wouldn't mind seeing that. You have to trade something of value to get something of value, and the stros have always been able to find adequate closers.  Lidge for a run producer (prefereably at 3b makes sense). If you could duck tape Moberg to him and get a legit 3b run producer I would be in favor.

I would prefer to duct tape Iceberg to Wheeler to get that legit 3b run producer.  I think Lidge will be an integral part of the Astros' run in 2007.

[JimR]

I would prefer to duct tape Iceberg to Wheeler to get that legit 3b run producer.  I think Lidge will be an integral part of the Astros' run in 2007.

i ain't trading Wheeler either. i would trade Qualls.

[WulawHorn]

I would prefer to duct tape Iceberg to Wheeler to get that legit 3b run producer.  I think Lidge will be an integral part of the Astros' run in 2007.

OK- I just think Lidge would bring more value heading back to you in a trade.  That's all I'm saying.

[JimR]

OK- I just think Lidge would bring more value heading back to you in a trade.  That's all I'm saying.

which is a reason not to trade him. Oswalt would be even more value.

[Nate in IA]

i ain't trading Wheeler either. i would trade Qualls.

Fair enough.  I've always liked Wheeler in a setup role and if Qualls is really going to be chomping at the bit to close or start, then by all means, see what  you can get for him.

[Mr. Happy]

Fair enough.  I've always liked Wheeler in a setup role and if Qualls is really going to be chomping at the bit to close or start, then by all means, see what  you can get for him.

You can test for interest, but I really like Qualls's stuff and believe that he could be a closer, so don't give him away.

[Nate in IA]

You can test for interest, but I really like Qualls's stuff and believe that he could be a closer, so don't give him away.

Who said anything about giving him away?   I would expect something good in return.

[WulawHorn]

which is a reason not to trade him. Oswalt would be even more value.

I understand what you are saying, but... If the astros looked dead with no prospects to help fill his position you'd have to say that Roy would be a valuable chip and maybe look into trading him.

The Marlins traded many guys like this after their first WS and won another one 6 years later (after sucking most of that time). They traded away most of their valuable chips again after their second WS and look to me like they could be contenders for the whole thing again in 2 or 3 years. It isn't suicidal to trade a guy like Roy O if you get the right talent in return. Seatle did well in getting a core of players for Johnson and Junior that was the nucleus of a 116 win team.  Usually, though, you get 2 quarters and a nickle back, so you don't want to do that.

I don't think, and don't advocate that the stros trade Roy, but you could imagine a scenario where it would make sense.  Say, last year if they didn't get a deal done with him and he told the team he would be out the door in a year after free agency. I'm glad they locked him up instead and don't have to consider something like that his year- which, w/o the extension would be a possibility.  Maybe Lidge wants out here (he's only under club control for 1 more year), or he's too expensive for their budget and you got to get value for him while you still can and fill in from the farm afterwards.

[BudGirl]

i ain't trading Wheeler either. i would trade Qualls.

Why Qualls?  I like Qualls more than Wheeler.

[Foghorn]

Why Qualls?  I like Qualls more than Wheeler.

Blasphemy.  Dot is the shit.

[Randy Watson]

While this may or may not be true, his consistancy is not where it needs to be as a closer.  If I were to make a comparison back to the Lidge-Dotel-Wagner trio, he's the Dotel of the group.  Talented but not quite dominant enough to be your go-to guy, a.k.a. closer.  Doesn't mean he couldn't close but he's not the best option on this team. 

There was an almost two year stretch where Dotel was arguably the most dominant reliever in the majors.  But he was a guy who seemed to pitch better as a setup man than a closer.

[mihoba]

Why Qualls?  I like Qualls more than Wheeler.

I like'm both. Qualls is the quasi lefty specialist in a way, he is more successful against lefthanded batters than righthanders in his career, which is rare.

[utastro]

Why Qualls?  I like Qualls more than Wheeler.

His stuff is better, he has more value, and he wants to close (JD said that he will either want to close or start soon).  When/If he becomes more consistent, he could be dominant.

[JimR]

Blasphemy.  Dot is the shit.

but his stuff is inferior to Qualls.

i like them both, BG. Qualls, to me, has more value and will want to close.

[BudGirl]

but his stuff is inferior to Qualls.

i like them both, BG. Qualls, to me, has more value and will want to close.

I was hoping that was your answer.  I like him a lot.  Every chance I've ever had to talk with him, he's been nice and funny.  Seems like a great guy. 

I could definitely see him bringing a 3B back in a trade.  I'd hate losing him though.

[Noe]

I was hoping that was your answer.  I like him a lot.  Every chance I've ever had to talk with him, he's been nice and funny.  Seems like a great guy. 

I could definitely see him bringing a 3B back in a trade.  I'd hate losing him though.

The Orioles do not want to give up on BJ Ryan and said publically that they were not going to go out and get a "closer" this season to replace him.  All that is postering though because they know that a pitcher that gets cut on can be a dicey situation.  Qualls would be a cheap alternative for them right now if they want to make a deal.  I think the Orioles are trying to avoid being looked at as vunerable.

I know that dealing with Angelos was a bit harry for the Astros last year, so they may not even want to pick up the phone if it rings from Baltimore.  But juneberno.  I'm not thinking Tejada though, more along the lines of Melvin Mora if that is an option worth exploring.

[Bench]

The Orioles do not want to give up on BJ Ryan and said publically that they were not going to go out and get a "closer" this season to replace him.  All that is postering though because they know that a pitcher that gets cut on can be a dicey situation.  Qualls would be a cheap alternative for them right now if they want to make a deal.  I think the Orioles are trying to avoid being looked at as vunerable.

I know that dealing with Angelos was a bit harry for the Astros last year, so they may not even want to pick up the phone if it rings from Baltimore.  But juneberno.  I'm not thinking Tejada though, more along the lines of Melvin Mora if that is an option worth exploring.

The Orioles already "gave up" on BJ Ryan. He's on the Blue Jays now. Angelos, while always meddlesome, shouldn't be able to interfere too much.

[Reuben]

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe brings up this same possibility,

Now that Brad Lidge is starting to turn his season around, the Astros are in position to either have a very strong bullpen with Lidge, Chad Qualls, and closer Dan Wheeler, or turn around and trade one of them for a starter or outfielder... The Astros knew they were never getting Clemens, so that's not considered a loss, but they could use one more starter, and Lidge could be the chip they use.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2007/05/13/right_mix_of_ingredients/?page=5

He doesn't imply that this is anything more than his own speculation, FWIW. He does not mention the Red Sox as a possibility for Lidge (their bullpen has been outstanding so far anyway.

Wasn't there talk about the Dodgers having an extra starter, and Penny being on the block? And them needing a 3B pretty bad?

[Reuben]

The Orioles already "gave up" on BJ Ryan. He's on the Blue Jays now. Angelos, while always meddlesome, shouldn't be able to interfere too much.

I think Noe meant Ray, not Ryan...I personally don't know if Mora still has the power that the Astros are looking for from 3B. He's fallen off the last year or two and is not young.

[mihoba]

The Orioles do not want to give up on BJ Ryan and said publically that they were not going to go out and get a "closer" this season to replace him.  All that is postering though because they know that a pitcher that gets cut on can be a dicey situation.  Qualls would be a cheap alternative for them right now if they want to make a deal.  I think the Orioles are trying to avoid being looked at as vunerable.

I know that dealing with Angelos was a bit harry for the Astros last year, so they may not even want to pick up the phone if it rings from Baltimore.  But juneberno.  I'm not thinking Tejada though, more along the lines of Melvin Mora if that is an option worth exploring.

Not Mora, please! He's 35 and slipping, IMO.

[Noe]

The Orioles already "gave up" on BJ Ryan. He's on the Blue Jays now. Angelos, while always meddlesome, shouldn't be able to interfere too much.

Damn, what was I thinking!  Hehe... sinus headache today, but I should've known better.  Forget it, I want no part of Glaus if indeed that was an offer available.

[Noe]

I think Noe meant Ray, not Ryan...I personally don't know if Mora still has the power that the Astros are looking for from 3B. He's fallen off the last year or two and is not young.

Nah, I just suck today (and most days).  Wasn't thinking clearly on that one.  And seems the consensus is that Mora is a bad idea any way.  I really suck!

[Reuben]

Nah, I just suck today (and most days).  Wasn't thinking clearly on that one.  And seems the consensus is that Mora is a bad idea any way.  I really suck!

If the subject has to roll around to Melvin Mora and Orioles relievers before we hit on something you know less about than some of us, I think you're doing OK.

[Noe]

If the subject has to roll around to Melvin Mora and Orioles relievers before we hit on something you know less about than some of us, I think you're doing OK.

That's actually what my train of thought was... that Melvin Mora may be someone to look at.  But I posted without really thinking it all the way through.  I agree if Mora has slipped in productivity, his age is an issue as to having true value as a player they should target.

As it were, the real answer may be to platoon Lamb and a right handed bat who plays a little defense (like Cody Ransom at AAA) over at third and maybe stop looking for an answer outside of what they have in house.

Oh, BTW - I got a great laugh out of Pinwheel's blog about what he'd do to "fix" the Astros.  He even mentioned how well he contradicted himself six times in one paragraph to boot.  But his claim to a fix is this:

1. Pence leads off.  Oh, okay... now we have a free swinger leading off who has proven if he gets a good major league slider thrown at him, 99.9% of the time, he's toast.  JD mentioned on Saturday night how Pence really had to learn the basic concepts of how to handle that particular pitch.  In Jimmy D's opinion, he has a ways to go to master how to handle that pitch.  But Pinwheel wants him to lead off... hooo-boy!

2. Bat Biggio #2.  Oh, okay, so you have free swinger rookie leading off and back him up with Biggio?  Oh my goodness.

3. Start Loretta and Lamb on the left side and bat them in the middle of the lineup.  Okay, where?  I mean you have the first four spots occupied and Loretta's best role as a #2 has been given to Biggio.  So this means that if Scott stays at #5, then you're talking Lamb and Loretta being #6 and #7.  Oh, okay... so now you want to hamstring your two best hitters into near the bottom to the bottom of the lineup?

Makes me wonder if some amount of thinking would help some of these scribes.

[MusicMan]

Makes me wonder if some amount of thinking would help some of these scribes.

You're giving them too much credit.  The more they think, the worse it gets.

[Reuben]

3. Start Loretta and Lamb on the left side and bat them in the middle of the lineup. 

Not that I'm saying you're suggesting it (Justice was), but I am seriously asking: wouldn't this be a pretty bad left defense? I haven't seen any of Loretta's games at SS; I think he's a decent 2B, but for those who've seen him, wouldn't his range-shortcomings along with Lamb's shortcomings be...inviting disaster? And, on the same topic, if Everett were injured (ala 2004), who would fill in at SS? Bruntlett?

[Noe]

Not that I'm saying you're suggesting it (Justice was), but I am seriously asking: wouldn't this be a pretty bad left defense? I haven't seen any of Loretta's games at SS; I think he's a decent 2B, but for those who've seen him, wouldn't his range-shortcomings along with Lamb's shortcomings be...inviting disaster? And, on the same topic, if Everett were injured (ala 2004), who would fill in at SS? Bruntlett?

His range is the only deterent that I've seen.  He has good hands still and has the proper footwork to handle the job.  Arm strenght is okay, not the best in the world, but not the worse.  But he is limited with range.  As a third baseman, I think the know on Loretta is quickness or reaction time.  He is actually worse than Lamb, who is pretty decent at reaction, but has a tendency to trip over his own feet while throwing.  His footwork is his deterent.

[JimR]

His range is the only deterent that I've seen.  He has good hands still and has the proper footwork to handle the job.  Arm strenght is okay, not the best in the world, but not the worse.  But he is limited with range.  As a third baseman, I think the know on Loretta is quickness or reaction time.  He is actually worse than Lamb, who is pretty decent at reaction, but has a tendency to trip over his own feet while throwing.  His footwork is his deterent.

if i had Pence leading off, i would dust off the take sign and use it.

[Jacksonian]

if i had Pence leading off, i would dust off the take sign and use it.

Is there a sign for keeping your front shoulder in?

[MusicMan]

I would have Lamb and Loretta as a L/R platoon at 3b, with Loretta also filling in at SS and 2b.  Woody's starts might be a good time to give Everett a rest and try the Lamb-Loretta combo.

[Mr. Happy]

if i had Pence leading off, i would dust off the take sign and use it.

LMAO. I've never had the pleasure of your company, Coach, but I keep laughing at the mental image of you putting on one of the more emphatic take signs in the history of the game.

[MRaup]

LMAO. I've never had the pleasure of your company, Coach, but I keep laughing at the mental image of you putting on one of the more emphatic take signs in the history of the game.

His take sign was one of the funniest of all time.

Getting the stare down/hairy eye for the take was always good to get the internal laugh-o-meter going.

[JimR]

His take sign was one of the funniest of all time.

Getting the stare down/hairy eye for the take was always good to get the internal laugh-o-meter going.

he is not kidding on the sign, which i stole from Cliff Gustafson:

if i break eye contact and look away, hit.

i you have to break eye contact, take.

the stubborn ones who wanted to hit got a stare down till they gave in and looked away.

[Reuben]

you trade mavens get busy, and get Ensberg moving. he is irritating as hell to watch.

I think Ken ROsenthal is working on it for you:
"His value is down, but the Padres, Dodgers, Angels and Twins are among the clubs that need to find better solutions at third base. The Astros could trade Ensberg for a similarly priced under-achiever and go with Mike Lamb and Mark Loretta at third. "
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6810676
He also thinks that Troy Glaus (maybe the Astros' only "competition" for teams needing a 3B) will not be traded. So it looks like a semi-decent market for trading Ensberg...no idea who'd fit the "similarly priced under-achiever" category...though I'd love it if Purp got Jason Kubel from MIn. for Mo and Lane.

[Bench]

I think Ken ROsenthal is working on it for you:
"His value is down, but the Padres, Dodgers, Angels and Twins are among the clubs that need to find better solutions at third base. The Astros could trade Ensberg for a similarly priced under-achiever and go with Mike Lamb and Mark Loretta at third. "
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6810676
He also thinks that Troy Glaus (maybe the Astros' only "competition" for teams needing a 3B) will not be traded. So it looks like a semi-decent market for trading Ensberg...no idea who'd fit the "similarly priced under-achiever" category...though I'd love it if Purp got Jason Kubel from MIn. for Mo and Lane.

Olney recently floated an Ensberg to Minnesota for a pitcher idea, but expressly stated it was total speculation on his behalf.