Astros Fire Tim Purpura and Phil Garner

Today the Houston Astros fired Tim Purpura and Phil Garner. Two years ago the Astros went to the World Series and under Garner and Purpura was a long-time employee. Now both are unemployed. In medical terms - a "Purpura is the appearance of red or purple discolorations on the skin, caused by bleeding underneath the skin". I get the feeling that these firings may have been because something that got under owner Drayton McLane's skin.

Besides the obvious fact that the Astros are a hair's breath from having the worst record in the entire National League - many of the Astros players are under-preforming. My guess is that McLane is tired of the inmates running the asylum and with Jeff Bagwell retired, Craig Biggio done at the end of the season - I'd look for a mini-house cleaning which would include the popular in the clubhouse but pop-gun at the plate Brad Ausmus. I think its fair to say that the house-cleaning started today with Garner and Purpura.

This season the Astros had a $87 million payroll. Much of that number comes from three core players Carlos Lee (signed till 2012 with a 6-year $100 million deal), Lance Berkman (signed through 2010 with a 2011 option) and Roy Oswalt (signed through 2011). Those three players will use up about $40 million in payroll in 2008. Houston also has starter Woody Williams on the books in 2008 for $6.25 million. That will leave about $40 million for about 21 more players. A limited budget (assuming that McLane will insist in a budget similar or less than this year's) and high expectations for winning seem like a perfect fit for a Moneyball guy. Lucky for the Astros that Paul DePodesta is available.

The Rangers have wonderboy Josh Daniels and DePodesta has a much better resume. With Tal Smith around DePodesta could be freed up to just manage the roster and develop the farm system. Hiring a fan and press friendly manager would also work to provide cover to a guy like DePodesta. I wonder if Bobby Valentine would be interested in coming back to America? What about the always-smiling Tony Pena?

I would look for the following players and their 2007 salaries to be castoff this offseason:

Jason Jennings $5.5 million
Craig Biggio $5 million
Brad Ausmus - $3.5 million
Adam Everett - $2.8 million
Mike Lamb $2.5 million
Mark Loretta $2.5 million

Including the money from the now-departed Morgan Ensberg - that's over $26 million of wiggle room for the new GM. The primary needs will be a catcher, shortstop and second base. They will also need a veteran starter to shore up the back of the rotation. I wouldn't be surprised if the Astros worked an incentive laden contract with Kerry Wood, Kris Benson or Matt Clement.