From the Houston Chronicle:

If that's the case, Morgan Ensberg, Aubrey Huff, Dan Wheeler or perhaps Willy Taveras should be expecting calls soon. If the Astros have to trim $10 million in order to keep the payroll around $100 million in 2007, that's where they figure to find it.

Ensberg, who made $3.8 million last year, and Wheeler ($930,000) are arbitration-eligible this offseason. Huff ($6.8 million) is a free agent who will command a multiyear contract. Taveras will be a relative bargain in 2007, but becomes arbitration-eligible in a year.

Considering the Astros are looking to lean more heavily on Mike Lamb at third base next season, Huff and Ensberg become expendable. Taveras remains in demand among baseball GMs in search of a center fielder. And Astros manager Phil Garner has been kicking around the idea of Jason Lane getting a look in center field, complemented by Lee in left and a combination of Luke Scott and Chris Burke in right.

The Astros would love to keep Wheeler, but his arbitration-eligible status could make him a prime trade commodity as well if Pettitte and Clemens return.

Trade at least a couple of key pieces from the 2006 roster? The Lee deal gave the Astros $100 million reasons they might not have a choice, depending on what Pettitte and Clemens decide.

I don't like most of what I just read. Going in order,

Considering the Astros are looking to lean more heavily on Mike Lamb at third base next season, Huff and Ensberg become expendable.

Argh. Mike Lamb? He's great as a backup corner infielder/PH extraordinaire, but a semi-regular 3B? Count me out. He's a butcher with the glove, and although he's a decent enough hitter (.307 / .361 / .475 last year), he was terrible in 2004-05, and he's just not that good to begin with. The lesson that should be learned from Mike Lamb is how many guys there are out there that can do close to what he does if given a chance. The minors is full of guys that can play backup 1B / 3B and put up a 800 / 850 OPS. But instead we sign Lamb and he has a few big hits and puts up some decent numbers and we fall for him. He's nothing special. He's no Ensberg or Huff.

And Astros manager Phil Garner has been kicking around the idea of Jason Lane getting a look in center field, complemented by Lee in left and a combination of Luke Scott and Chris Burke in right.

Four words: Worst. Defensive. Outfield. Ever.

The Astros would love to keep Wheeler, but his arbitration-eligible status could make him a prime trade commodity as well if Pettitte and Clemens return.

Are you kidding me? Trade Wheeler? Yeah, he was great last year, but he only made 930K - how much of a raise could he get? 3, 4 million? He's definitely worth that. Trade someone else.