I'm not so good at this projected payroll kind of stuff, so why not let Shamus lead the discussion, and in the center column? ---   rastronomicals

The Astros are on the hook for these players.
Bagwell 7
Berkman 14.5
Oswalt 13
Ausmus 4
Miller 1.3
Palmiero .95
   Total 40.75 Million

Likely returners
Biggio 4
Lidge 5-5.3
Everett 2.3-2.5
Lamb 2.8
Wheeler 2.7
Springer 1.2
Taveras .5
Qualls .5
Burke .5
Hirsh .36
Scott .36
Nieve .36
Sampson .36
    Total 21.44-21.94mill

Questions
Albers .36
Buchholz .36
Ensberg 5.5
Huff 5.5-6.5
Bruntlett .5
Borkowski .5
Lane .5
     Total 13.22-14.22mill
So I think the Astros will have 18 players locked up for next year at a high-ball 62.19million. You can also see that gives them 3SP, 2OF, 1?C, and no third baseman. I think Ensberg and Huff will make about the same next year so if I have to pick I would go with Ensberg for (19)@67.69Mil total.

In my estimation that gives the Astros around 28mill to round out the other 6 players on a 95million payroll. I think the payroll should be among the leagues highest and I think 95M will be around the top 7 in MLB next year.

Can the Astros get an OF, 2 SP, C, 2 bench players for 28M, or is the payroll higher? Any thoughts on any of this?