Danny Knobler of CBS Sports is saying the Astros are actually now interested in Pudge, but...
"It's not yet clear how serious the Astros' interest is."
I still have a hard time figuring out how the Astros sign Pudge. I'm not saying it won't happen, but I don't see it. Palmisano is a Rule 5 pick, and has to stay on the roster or go back to the Orioles, who have plenty of catching help in Matt Wieters. Quintero will literally break down in tears if he's sent to Round Rock again.
I do wonder if the rest of the Astros' anemic showing so far this spring is what's causing this rumor to simply not die. If everyone else was killing the ball, maybe the Astros would be content to let it ride. But, obviously, they're not. I do think Pudge would fare better in the NL Central than in the AL Central or AL East (or even the NL East). Maybe the only division easier would be the NL West. I wouldn't line up at Academy to buy me a Pudge Astros jersey. Nor do I think that he would be a big draw for fans. If you're not excited about seeing Lance, Roy, Pence or, uh, Valverde? Maybe LaHawk? Then Pudge isn't going to be the tipping point on whether or not to spend your hard earned Bailout money on Astros tickets.
Would I be excited? Eh. Would he be a nice holdover until Castro is ready? Maybe. How do you feel?
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
