Ok, I see why there wasn't a rush to claim Robby Hammock. He'll miss most of the season after having shoulder surgery. I still think he's worth a minor-league deal and stashing on the DL.

One of the posters at an Astros message board recommends we do a "3-way platoon" with Lane, Lamb and Ensberg - when we're facing a lefty, Lane and Ensberg start, and when we're facing a righty one of Lane or Ensberg sits while Lamb plays 3rd or LF. I actually like this idea - we need to get Lamb his AB's, and I don't want him playing a more important defensive position like 2B. The way our OF looks right now (Biggio, Lane, Palmeiro, Taveras, ???), I'd be surprised if we don't give Lamb a look in Spring Training. I'm not entirely sure how he'd do, but it's worth finding out. I'd rather see him for a month at the beginning of the season than Palmeiro.

The longer we wait to sign Roy Oswalt, the smaller the chance of signing him to a long-term deal. I stand by my belief that signing Oswalt to a 3 or 4 or 5 year deal is the best move the team can make this offseason. We need this.