The Astros' offseason quest to find help for their starting rotation has culminated today in the signing of long-time Phillie Brett Myers. There's no word on terms yet, but with Myers recovering from hip problems (and subsequent surgery) that limited him to 70 2/3 innings (in 10 starts and 18 appearances) the deal doesn't seem likely to be worth a huge amount of money. For a team that's been spending money in rather questionable fashion this winter (three years and $15 million for Brandon Lyon?!?), Myers seems like a relatively good risk. He's only 29 and though he battled injuries last year and spend most of 2007 in the bullpen, he put up some good numbers in 30 starts with the Phils in 2008 (1.379 WHIP, 7.7 K/9 innings, 3.1 BB/9) and could, at the least, be an innings eater in a rotation with very little depth behind Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez.
Myers doesn't solve all of the Astros' problems, of course. He's a risk because of his health, their next three starters are Felipe Paulino, Brian Moehler, and Bud Norris, and most of their roster is still getting old at an alarming rate. GM Ed Wade has managed to scrap together semi-contenders in both of his years on the job in Houston, but even with Myers in the fold it's hard to see how he's going to pull it off for a third straight season.
That sounds awfully negative, but I do like this signing. Myers is a good risk to take for a team that needs rotation help without being able to spend a lot. And if nothing else, the Astros increased their chances to stay ahead of the Pirates!
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