According to The Sports Network, Ed Wade has opted to decline Brocail's 2009 option of $3.25 million dollars.  My gut reaction is that is a saavy move on Wade's part.  Brocail, who will be 42 next year, demonstrated that he can be tough as nails if not overworked, but given the Astros scarcity of starting pitching depth, Brocail probably does not have that option in 2009.  As a Type A Free Agent, the Astros likely move will be to offer the veteran arbitration which could then lead to the Astros receiving a highly valuable compensation pick after the first round of 2009's draft.  While the article indicates the Wade and Brocail have expressed mutual interest in each other, it's hard for me to imagine Brocail taking a discount in Houston when he could get paid a premium as a member of someone like the Brewers or the Mets, who are desperate to stabilize their bull pens

The move, to me, signals that the Ed Wade is going to be another busy man this winter, something that excites me greatly.  There is a lot of work to be done to improve the quality of this team at both the major league and minor league levels.  I trust Ed Wade to find an adequate solution to losing Cecil Cooper's automatic 8th inning man and construct a solid bull pen.  In fact, I don't even know that he'll have to shop around given that a Geary with a healthy groin or the LaTroy Hawkins of the second half represent equal or great value than Brocail.  If Brocail walks to find greener pastures, then the compensation pick allows he and Bobby Heck to still draft a top tier prospect even if we land a Type A SP -- something that is imperative for the Astros this offseason.

I like where Ed Wade's head is at and I like how this move can set in motion a whole host of other moves that will make the 2009 Astros far more stable than their 2008 version.  Hot stove season has begun in Houston.  Make sure you stay tuned to the CFB for all the news and analysis as Ed Wade gets to doing what he does best -- make a lot of moves.

Finally we get at least a small glimpse of the Roy Oswalt that we have missed so dearly.  I'm not going to say that Roy-O was the best that we've ever seen him... but he looked much closer tonight to the Roy-O of old than he has the past 3 games this season.  Roy had a pretty good curve ball tonight.  I specifically remember the curve ball he threw to Burrell in the 3rd inning that started out about mid chest and dropped almost to the dirt; Burrell swung and missed and then just stared out into nowhere with a grin on his face, knowing that he was out-classed with that one.  The fastball on Roy was running anywhere from 91-95 (or so said the my20 radar) and he had pretty good location, striking out 4 batters. 

Oswalt finished the night by going 7 innings with just 5 hits, 1 ER and lowered his ERA from 9.00 to 6.65. 

On the other side of the ball, the Astros were a little lacking.  The Phillies actually out hit the Astros 6-4 but were unable to cross the plate after the 1st inning.  Michael Bourn had a great game tonight.  Starting off in the 1st inning, he forced a bad throw by Utley at 2nd and was safe at 1st on what was ruled a hit.  Then (even though he was showing signs of pain... not sure what that was about) stole 2nd and scored on line drive off the left field wall by Carlos Lee.  In the 5th inning, with 2 outs and no runners on, Bourn hit a blast down the right field line that hit the foul poll to give the Astros the lead and eventually the win.  I'll admit, I was pretty shocked that Bourn could hit the ball that well... it was a blast!

I can't go on without mentioning the stellar performance by Wesley Wright and Doug Brocail in relief for Roy...  After Roy left in the 7th inning, Wright came in and struck out the side and then Brocail came in and struck out 2 to earn his 1st save of the season.  I'm really happy that Valverde wasn't available for tonight's game...  I'm not sure if I could have taken him on the hill again after last nights fiasco.