According to JASTRO

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We know that Berkman, Biggio and Lee will be position players for the 2007 Astros. With Biggio designated the starting second baseman (at home), we sacrifice the best team and require a second, half-player; Loretta. Sorry Burke.

Barring trade, we can add Ensberg, Ausmus, Everett and a back-up catcher; Quintero. We now have eight of a minimum thirteen position players for the 25-man roster, with two outfield positions still unassigned (though the media claims that Burke will start in center field).

It was premature for anyone to declare the starting center field job to Burke last winter. Burke was slated as the heir-apparent to replace Biggio at second base; unfortunately for Burke, Biggio is like the Eveready Bunny and Pupura acquired Mark Loretta in a great move that provides proven talent at second base. Converting Burke to play center field makes no sense for a team on a quest to bring the Fall Classic back to Houston.

Offensively, Burke brings nothing special to the team. Defensively, Burke is a liability in center field. As happens in baseball regularly, Burke is a casualty of timing. The Astros do not have a place for Burke this season, and I doubt he brings much trade value considering his poor performance in the Grapefruit league. It doesn't make sense for Burke to learn a position for a one year stand, either, and we know Pence is the future center fielder.

Lane has been given every opportunity to earn a starting outfield position and has never proven up to the challenge. He is responsible for providing Scott the opportunity to prove he belongs in the majors, and Scott performed. I keep Scott and hope that Lane's good spring will provide better value in a trade.

Purpura made possibly his best move as GM when he signed Hidalgo to a minor league contract. How many 32 year old outfielders in the major leagues can boast a season with 44 home runs, 122 RBIs and a .314 batting average? Defensively, no matter how you size it up, the Astros are weak in the outfield without Hidalgo. Ask Oswalt who he would prefer in the line-up, and then ask who he would rather pitch to. Then ask W. Williams, or Dierker.

I start Hidalgo in right field and make it his position to lose. Obviously Hidalgo is showing Garner he still has what it takes to play the game or he wouldn't still be in camp -- a veteran player that is going through spring training with no special treatment. I also assign Hidalgo to hit fifth, behind Lee, in the batting order. Hidalgo is capable of putting up league MVP numbers and should win comeback player of the year honors. If Hidalgo earns all his bonuses (approximately $1.5 million), the Astros are in the post-season mix.

Scott and Lamb make the team in rolls similar to last year. Lamb can come off the bench as a left-handed bat and can play infield or outfield. Scott provides a left-handed bat with punch and can back-up the outfield.

I now have three available spots for position players, including the starting center field position. Hidalgo will provide a better option than Burke, but Pence has done everything right this spring and I would give him the nod to start in center field and compete for rookie of the year honors. I think maybe the assignment of Pence to Round Rock before the game last night may partially explain the team's lackluster showing against the Devil Rays. I also think his assignment is a test of Pence's character, after the incident in Arizona last fall.

The final two spots for position players on the 25-man roster go to Palmeiro and Bruntlett. Palmeiro is an obvious choice. Bruntlett seems like the logical odd-man-out with the signing of Loretta, but since Loretta's role is as a back-up to Biggio, Bruntlett is the best all-around utility man; and, he has those scrappy-sparky-spunky tendencies baseball loves.