Advantage: Astros?

If the Astros are still determined to obtain Miguel Tejada, they may have just received a boost in those efforts. Miguel Tejada told reporters that he does not want to play 3rd base, which would likely be necessary should he be traded to Anaheim or Texas, both of whom already have established shortstops (Orlando Cabrera and Michael Young, respectively).

One other option for Purpura could be to try to become part of a three-team deal involving the Orioles and either the Rangers or Angels, agreeing to take whichever of those team's shortstops becomes expendable with the acquisition of Tejada. Either Cabrera or Young while certainly not as talented as Tejada, would still be a tremendous upgrade over Adam Everett, at a considerably lesser cost. Here's a purely hypothetical "Would You?": Brad Lidge, Fernando Nieve, Morgan Ensberg and Adam Everett to Texas for Michael Young, Hank Blalock and Brad Wilkerson? What if it required Hirsh instead of Nieve? I would do the first, but I'm not sure about the second. Giving up Hirsh would likely be too much for me to do for the proposed return.

Purpura should also be seriously concerned about his starting rotation. Taylor Buchholz and Wandy Rodriguez have been deservedly been banished to Triple-A. Brandon Backe has allowed 16 hits and 6 walks with a 9.00 ERA in his two starts for Houston since returning from the DL. Since June 18, Andy Pettitte has allowed more hits than innings pitched in all but one of his starts, including 11 in five innings in his last outing versus the Reds. Chris Sampson allegedly will be used out of the bullpen, and while I am not claiming that he should be touted as a savior for this rotation, one wonders what Purpura and Garner have in mind for the future of this rotation. Something will have to change going forward, but Monday's off day provides a little extra time to make those decisions.