No news is bad news. Are we even thinking about trading for Winn or Cruz Jr. or Cameron anymore? I'm pretty disappointed in Purpura. Either he thinks we can compete with the team as currently constructed, or he's incapable of making a move. I'm scared either way.

JT got his first fantasy baseball magazine yesterday, and it had a few interesting things to say:

1. They don't recommend anybody in the Astros bullpen besides Lidge.

Normally, I wouldn't either, but check out some of these 2nd half splits:

Qualls, 3.55 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 8 BB / 24 K in 33 IP
Harville, 3.03 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 16 BB / 29 K in 29.2 IP
Wheeler, 2.51 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 3 BB / 9 K in 14.1 IP as an Astro

The only thing that scares me with these 3 guys is none of them have good numbers against lefties. But if Harville can cut down on his walks, these 3 can form a league-average middle of the pen. Toss in Lidge, Franco / Gallo, and Munro / Burba, and you've got a not-horrible bullpen. Not great, either, but we sat and watched Mecir / Osuna / Hammond sign. Oops.

2. They don't like Brandon Backe at all.

I kinda agree here. What do you believe: a few late-season and postseason miracles, or a year-long 4.30 ERA / 1.52 WHIP and a 27 BB / 54 K ratio in 67.0 innings? Again, lefties eat him alive (.347 BA allowed).

I still think he should be our 4th starter; he's young, and he's a converted pitcher, so he's still learning. But expecting a sub-4.00 ERA is crazy.

If we don't trade for a CF, what's our Opening Day Lineup?

Biggio
Burke
Bagwell
Lane
Ensberg
Palmeiro
Everett
Ausmus

and that'll be going up against Mark Mulder of St. Louis. Ouch.