What exactly does McTaggert mean here with the phrase "the immediate future of the franchise (is) uncertain"? Am I missing something?
I took it to mean that there is nothing in the horizon of the farm system that will impact next year (in a positive manner). There is nothing in the majors right now that seems to be clear candidates to make the immediate future bright either. And then there is Cecil Cooper.
If the Astros are to turn around a franchise waiting on the High A Ball talent to mature and be positive contributors, then they have no immediate future plans other than to run the course of a season and hope for the best in the interim. And all the while Oswalt, Lee and Berkman get older. What infusion, then, does this club need to make the *immediate* future brighter?
Okay, that is a tough question, but perhaps this can be a primer and not so much a comprehensive solution:
1. A return to a solid starting rotation, most especially a inning eater at one of the top spots of the rotation. Oswalt is showing signs of being vulnerable as an ACE. He does not take the mound and give anyone a sense of "we're going to win this game" as much as he used to. In a better rotation, Oswalt is a great pitcher to have. In a rotation where you rely on him to carry more than a yeoman's share of the load, you're really overextending what type of pitcher Roy is right now in his career.
2. A solid bullpen is very necessary, so you need to stop using these guys in a mixed roles and define what and how to use them appropriately and then stick to it. One or two more solid contributors and this becomes a good pen again. Proper usage and it is once again a strength of the ballclub.
3. Defense: you have excellent defense in CF, so-so in left, average in right. Defense at short is lacking, second base has not been that bad this year, actually performing better than I expected. Third base has been okay with Blum over there. First base, when Berkman is healthy is above average. I think you need better shortstop play, even great shortstop play in Houston in order to support the pitching staff properly. I'm a bit spoiled by what AE used to provide so shoot me. When I saw Elvis Andrus play in Houston with the visiting Texas Rangers, I said to self "that is what is missing in Houston and no one talks about it at all".
4. Hitting: You actually have some hitters on the club now that play well at Minute Maid park (and also on the road). You have the beginning of a top of the lineup order that is very good, lead by Michael Bourn. The middle of the lineup, with a healthy, non-struggling Lance Berkman is fine, including putting Miguel Tejada at the #5 spot if you need to. I would like to see a much better option in the number two spot for the team to accent what Bourn already does for the club. Pence at #6 is where he should be because that seems to be where you'll maximize his sometimes awe inspiring and sometimes "aw shit!" inspiring hitting.
So what do you need from the immediate future. IMHO:
1. One or two more solid starters and that may or may not include Bud Norris.
2. A well defined and powerful bullpen. That includes a maturity for Fulchino, Arias and maybe Paulino if he is moved to the pen. And then someone that is a bullpen veteran to help these young guys manage a role (and not an arsenal of pitches).
3. Defense... plain and simple. Just has to be better at shortstop and more defensive replacements in left and right when necessary. A solid second baseman might help too.
4. Maturity for both Bourn and Pence will go a long way. Maturity is another way of saying consistency, so take that for what it's worth.
Once you have this in place, you need a manager who understands these attributes of his club overall and understand big picture scenarios as well as in-game strategies to win said game.
