Astros camp report
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Five things to know about the Houston Astros:
1. Filling out the pitching is not the only thing that will keep the Astros occupied this spring. With Willy Taveras now in Colorado, Chris Burke will slide over to center field, setting up a battle royale for the right-field job: Luke Scott, Richard Hidalgo and Jason Lane.
2. Though Brad Lidge followed up his gut-wrenching blown saves in the postseason of 2005 by frequently wobbling last season -- to the point where manager Phil Garner removed him from the closer's role for a spell -- don't expect Danny Wheeler to inherit the job unless Lidge has a miserable spring. "He's really not a concern," general manager Tim Purpura says of Lidge. "I'm not at all worried. ... It's like mutual funds. When they tell you don't look at the investment through short-term gains, you have to look at it through long-term gains. He'll be fine. He's one of the best there is at what he does."
3. Roy Oswalt, Jason Jennings and Woody Williams line up as the first three starters, and people in Kissimmee think Wandy Rodriguez has the inside track at a fourth slot because he's left-handed. As for the other spot in the rotation? Keep a close eye on right-handers Fernando Nieve (3-3, 4.20 ERA in 40 appearances, 11 of which were starts, last season) and Chris Sampson (2-1 with a 2.12 ERA in 12 appearances, three starts). Purpura on Nieve, 24: "I think he could be really competitive in our league. He's competitive and a good, all-around pitcher. He wants it badly." Catcher Brad Ausmus on Sampson, 28: "I think he has something that is very difficult to teach young pitchers, and that's confidence without arrogance."
4. Jennings, who was 9-13 with a 3.78 ERA in 32 starts for Colorado last season, is thrilled with his new surroundings and ranks as a pitcher to watch in the NL this season. Anybody escaping Coors Field -- despite the fact that Coors isn't the offensive haven it once was -- has a legitimate hope of brighter things ahead. "When I first heard about the trade, I was surprised," Jennings says. "They preach about their youth movement and bringing up their young guys in Colorado, and I was one of those young guys. There's a difference between wanting to win and being committed to winning. The feeling I get here is that they're committed to winning."
5. If you notice a calmer Garner in the dugout this summer, call it the lessons of experience. All those years of managing? Heck, no. The guy just returned to camp on Tuesday after marrying off his daughter over the weekend. "That's the most nerve-wracking thing you'll ever do," the skipper said under a warm Florida sun Wednesday, chuckling -- and very relaxed.
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