Teams looking for a 3d baseman will thank their lucky stars now. And, Wigginton would be better than Ibanez in LF for the Phillies…and at $3 or $4 million less salary.

Nothing really strikes me as a tremendous opportunity for the astros out of this group. Gomes might be the most interesting idea as a reserve OFer from the RH side. Unfortunately, he doesn’t play CF. I like the idea of taking a chance on Matt Belisle, coming back from knee surgery at the end of last season. I’m partly influenced by the fact he is local Austin kid and partly because he looked like Cy Young against the Astros. Bellsle’s career stats against the Astros: 34 IP, 24 H, 2.12 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, BAA .197.

I could see the Astros picking up Aaron Miles to man the utility infielder position. He is an ex-Astros farmhand; maybe the Astros will bring back his ex-roommate, Morgan Ensberg, too. :)

There are some decent relief pitcher ideas out of this group, but I’m not sure if the Astros have room, particularly since they tendered contracts to Backe and Byrdak. I would include Majewski, Joe Nelson, Ledezma, Saito, Hensley, and Proctor as among those relievers who are interesting for one reason or another.

I don’t know most of the players. I’m stunned about Ty Wigginton. Astros can re-sign him in the unexpected case no team needs a power hitting third baseman, second baseman, or outfielder, right?

I saw Chuck James pitch against the Astros two years ago and was mightily impressed. He had a bad 2008 I believe but Astros should at least evaluate him.

Okay- A quick Google search turned up thatg he had shouder problems in 2008 and cannot pitch in 2009:

James, 28, owns a 24-19 career record with a 4.48 ERA in four Major League seasons. In 2008, he went 2-5 with a 9.10 ERA in seven games started for the Atlanta Braves and 5-5 with a 2.92 ERA in 16 games (15 starts) with Triple-A Richmond.

James underwent successful left shoulder surgery on September 12, 2008, performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., to repair a tear in his rotator cuff and to clean up a frayed labrum. He is expected to miss most of the 2009 season.

Veteran catcher from the Seattle Mariners. Bats for better average than the guys we’ve got on our roster as it is. Probably due for a bounce upward from last year’s statistics (lower than expected BABIP). Would be interesting to see him bat in the NL, for once. With his bat, I’d be comfortable giving him 2-3 starts a week.

Described as solid defensively, and has a good “veteran presence”. He was one of those guys who toiled in the minors for years before he finally made a solid spot for himself in the big leagues in his 30’s. Could be a good influence on some of our young ones, if you care about that sort of thing.

Oh, and this is important, too: made less than half a million last year.