New Jayson Stark article

[cougar]

Jayson Stark has another article talking about the top 10 names up on the trading block at the winter meetings  right here .  Nice to see the Astros mentioned as possible destinations for some of them, at least so we Astro fans have something to talk about instead besides Roger and BG's BF.

Some interesting names here, but the thought of Milton Bradley wearing the Mud n' Blood makes me somewhat lightheaded.  What would be the over/under on when MB drops the race card on the organization?

[Andyzipp]

I'll take "before he gets on the plane to Houston."

[jwhudson]

I really don't understand why Qualls would be on the block.  Did he make somebody mad?  Kearns can't stay healthy enough to play a whole season, last year he started 103 games - the most in his career.  And did I mention he hit .240.....

[jasonact]

IMO, the only reason Qualls, Wheeler, and Backe would be "on the block" is probably because the Astros would have to give up something to get something. I don't think it's an indication of how the Astros feel about those players. If the Astros had it their way, they'd get Abreu (see the Astros reference on #3 of Stark's list) for Wandy and a couple of minor leaguers or something like that.

Frankly, I love all of the players that are currently projected for the Astro's 25-man roster, but I understand that if the Astros make a big trade this offseason, one or more are likely to be dealt. As much as I (and probably the Astros) would like to see Qualls and Backe remain on the team, trading them for Abreu (as Stark suggests) might not be a bad idea. Then again, I'm not Tim Purpura.