Pitching and defense, as if he has the market on knowledge cornered.
Anyway, it's kind of a wild blog post, goes on about what a great guy Drayton is, how stand-up Lance is, how the Astros need pitching and defense, etc.
He expects the Astros to make a run at an inning-eating starter, but also assumes LaHawk and Valverde will be back with the team in 2010.
They could make a run at Randy Wolf. Justin Duchscherer, Rich Harden, John Lackey, Carl Pavano, Joel Pineiro and Jarrod Washburn are on the free-agent lists I've seen.
Unless Dave Duncan is the manager, I'm out with everyone but Lackey, who will be too expensive for the Astros' wallet (velcro, with a chain). If Carl Pavano is in an Astros uniform come April, I might eat my tongue.
Manager?
The biggest decision the Astros have to make is on a new manager. He has to be smart and passionate, and he has to set the proper tone to bring young players through the ups and downs of a season. He has to surround himself with a great coaching staff.
I'm OK with giving Dave Clark the job. He certainly has a passion for the job and seems to have people skills, too. But it's easy for me to recommend someone since my job isn't riding on it.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
