Houston Astros 2003 Finish: 87-75, 2nd NL Central	Select Team Angels Astros Athletics Blue Jays Braves Brewers Cardinals Cubs Devil Rays Diamondbacks Dodgers Expos Giants Indians Mariners Marlins Mets Orioles Padres Phillies Pirates Rangers Red Sox Reds Rockies Royals Tigers Twins White Sox Yankees

Lance Berkman Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Batting Order
CF	Craig Biggio Committed only one error in 150 games at new position.
3B	Morgan Ensberg Now that he's starting, 40 homers is not unrealistic.
1B	Jeff Bagwell Has averaged 119 RBIs over the past eight seasons.
2B	Jeff Kent Healed, healthy and poised for a monster year.
LF	Lance Berkman Switch-hitter hit 21 of 25 homers against righthanders.
RF	Richard Hidalgo Came back strong in 2003, and this time it's a contract year.
C	Brad Ausmus Overcame terrible start to hit .269 after the break.
SS	Adam Everett Wins games with his glove, so any offense a bonus.
Rotation
RHP	Roger Clemens Rocket takes first turn through the National League.
LHP	Andy Pettitte Handy Andy poised for a happy homecoming.
RHP	Roy Oswalt Will chronic groin problem send Roy O to the DL again?
RHP	Wade Miller Perennial second-half pitcher needs to avoid another slow start.
RHP	Jeriome Robertson Won 15 games as a rookie, but ugly ERA raises red flags.
Bullpen
RHP	Octavio Dotel Coming out from Wagner's shadow; will he handle the glare?
RHP	Brad Lidge Dotel's safety net seen as Houston's closer-in-waiting.
RHP	Ricky Stone Career high in innings in 2003, yet strikeout total declined.
RHP	Brandon Duckworth Outstanding arm; will get ample opportunity to start.
RHP	Dan Miceli Was strong down the stretch, back for more situational duty.
LHP	Carlos Hernandez Has a good shot to beat out Robertson for a rotation spot.
RHP	Tim Redding More likely will wind up in the rotation but can handle relief.
Prospects
C	John Buck Injury slowed his progress, but still the top prospect.
2B	Chris Burke Prototype leadoff guy is heir apparent to Kent.
RHP	Kirk Saarloos 7-1 in 49 appearances with New Orleans and Houston last season.

The Astros, a team that missed the playoffs by one game in 2003, are gearing up for what could be one last hurrah for the Jeff Bagwell-Craig Biggio era in Houston. This talented but aging team -- four starters will be 35 or older by the end of May -- should be strong enough with the additions of Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens to make a serious run at the postseason and perhaps win a playoff series, which would be a first in franchise history.

Houston starters worked fewer innings (868.2) than any team in the league and had the fewest complete games (one) in baseball in 2003, yet the Astros' ERA (4.29) ranked sixth in the National League. With the addition of Pettitte and Clemens to a rotation that already included right-handers Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller, Houston will have a starting quartet that stacks up with just about any around. Clemens, who made 33 starts and pitched more than 200 innings for the Yankees in 2003, has kept himself in phenomenal condition and should be good for 12 to 15 wins. Pettitte won a career-high 21 games a year ago but had an ERA above four and allowed more hits than innings pitched. Left-hander Carlos Hernandez, back after missing all of 2003 to injury, right-hander Tim Redding, new arrival Brandon Duckworth and lefty Jeriome Robertson, a 15-game winner last season, will battle for the final spot. This is a rotation that should be significantly stronger and deeper in 2004 if everyone remains healthy.

No NL bullpen logged more innings in 2003 than Houston's, and this time the Astros are without the franchise's all-time saves leader in Billy Wagner, who was dealt to Philadelphia during the offseason. Octavio Dotel will get first crack at filling Wagner's shoes, with Brad Lidge handling the set-up role while waiting in the wings should Dotel falter. Holdovers Ricky Stone and Dan Miceli are pluses, but the Astros will have to rely on the odd men out in the rotation battle, as well as newcomer Brandon Backe, to plug any late-inning gaps created by Wagner's exit.

Jeff Kent provided everything expected of him in his first year in Houston, but the big surprise in the middle infield was shortstop Adam Everett. The Astros didn't get going until Everett took over as the everyday shortstop in the first week of May as his defense -- arguably the best by a Houston shortstop since Craig Reynolds -- made a noticeable difference. The 26-year-old didn't wilt in the pressure of a pennant race either, hitting .317 in September while continually making highlight-reel type plays.

Bagwell's batting average (.278) was his lowest since 1992, but he drove in 100 runs for the seventh time in the past eight years. Though not nearly as strong defensively as he was before his shoulder problems, Bagwell gets the job done and his bat is still potent. Across the diamond the Astros traded away Geoff Blum because Morgan Ensberg convinced them he is ready to be an everyday player after tying a franchise record for home runs -- 25 in 385 at bats -- by a third baseman. While he'll never win a Gold Glove, Ensberg isn't a liability with the leather either.

With Lance Berkman, Biggio and Richard Hidalgo, the Astros' outfield won't be the fastest around but should once again be more than adequate offensively. Hidalgo, who led the league in outfield assists in 2003, bounced back from an offseason gunshot wound and enjoyed a big year. Since efforts to deal him for pitching were once again unsuccessful, the Astros will be content to let the Venezuelan slugger keep patrolling right field at Minute Maid Park. Manager Jimy Williams tried to rest Biggio whenever possible, but the center fielder still wound up with 628 at-bats, the most on the team. With no viable options ready to take over in center, Biggio, who has more hits (1,662) during the past 10 years than any player in baseball, will receive the bulk of the starts in 2004. Expect the switch-hitting Berkman to put up solid numbers again. Jason Lane appears ready to step in at any of the three positions.

The Astros re-signed free agent and two-time Gold Glove winner Brad Ausmus. Not only was the move a factor in Pettitte's decision to come to Houston, but it should also help the rest of the pitching staff and the defense. Ausmus' return also will ease the apprenticeship of top prospect John Buck. Journeyman Raul Chavez, who hit surprisingly well (.270) in a brief stint in 2003, is back to provide depth.

This is the most revamped area of the club; only Lane and Jose Vizcaino return from last year's Opening Day cast of extras. Spring training will determine which youngsters emerge and win the two utility spots expected to be up for grabs. The pool includes Eric Bruntlett, Colin Porter, Tommy Whiteman, Charlton Jimerson and Chris Burke. Lane, the fourth outfielder, looms as the only legitimate power threat off the bench.

General manager Gerry Hunsicker, who shocked baseball by landing Kent last winter, pulled off another stunner this time by signing Clemens and Pettitte. With little flexibility in the payroll, Hunsicker has managed to put together a team with no glaring weaknesses and one that has the potential to go a long way. That wasn't the only offseason surprise, as the Astros extended Williams' contract even though the club had faltered in the final weeks and failed to hold on to first place. Fans were also critical of Williams for his handling of the pitching staff. Remember that his predecessor Larry Dierker was let go after winning the division four times in his five years as Houston's manager. Williams enters 2004 0-for-2.

The Astros relied on offense and a strong bullpen in 2003, and that strategy came up one game short. This time the offense figures to be just as potent, if not more so, than the unit that scored 805 runs last season. With the addition of Clemens and Pettitte, it should be more than enough to offset the loss of Wagner and make Houston a much better team in 2004 -- especially if Dotel thrives as the closer as many observers predict. In Houston, which hosts the All-Star Game, the sense of urgency has never been greater. Several key players like Kent, Biggio and Hidalgo could be playing their final season in Houston if the club does not pick up their 2005 options. Everything is in place for a "Killer B's" swan song in 2004.

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