Dear Figure Heads of the Astros Organization,

    I would normally start this letter out with a question.  That question would be "What the fuck?" However, something has become painfully clear in the last three or so weeks:  You have no clue what the fuck is going on.  Now let me first say, that I do not know the motives behind Jim Cranes request to drop payroll to 50 million, so if it is to create room in a 75 million dollar payroll to sign 25 million worth of solid players, I am on board.  If you are just looking to ride out the next few years with a low payroll and keep fielding this current bunch of players, I can just stop watching and pretend that baseball no longer exists.

     Brad Mills, you have absolutely no business managing a major league club.  I say that with the utmost respect and sincerity.  Your managerial style is suited for AA or even AAA ball.  Specifically, I am referring to the manner in which you handle the pitching staff.  Tonight, after 7 and 2/3's of solid ballsy effort, you pulled a pitcher that clearly wasn't done.  And you did so to protect his confidence. 

While Brett Myers certainly is not having the year that we all expected from him, and I think he would be the first to admit that, he is the true definition of a competitor.  He wants to finish every game he pitches whether he is working on a CGS or 5 earned through 5, he wants to toe the rubber.  Now I realize that at some point you have to look after his arm, and protect your investment, I get that, but look at what Nolan Ryan has done with the Rangers.  He has set forth a precedent, an expectation that all of his guys will give him at least 7, and will go 9 whenever they can. 

As a result, his pitchers have learned how to pitch through fatigue.  It has developed a culture of pitching as much with your head as with your arm, and has taught his guys to pitch to contact, and be economical with their pitches.  With the young bullpen that we have, thats a mentality that we need in our club house, and that is the exact attitude that Myers and Norris have.  If you want to develop players, and worry about confidence, thats what A ball is for.

Now, Ed, I was incredibly happy that you came to the Astros, after your success in Philly, I thought you were exactly what we needed.  I am now starting to have my doubts.  Here are all of the moves that I disagree with, solely from this season's trade deadline.  Hunter Pence to the Phillies.  Did Pence need to be cashed in, absolutely, but to the Phillies?  They weren't offering the best package for him.  You took on two high risk high reward prospects from A+.  The Braves offer was much more competitive.  Especially considering the pitching prospects that they have.  That deal would have allowed you to move Bourn to the Cincinnati Reds, who had desperate need for a lead off hitter and were still buying at the deadline.  That would have allowed them to put Bourn in center, and move Stubbs to left, and bat Stubbs sixth, where he is way more comfortable. 

Also, why didn't you move Barmes?  Several teams were looking for a short stop, and at the time, Barmes was on a tear.  That would have been a good trade to take on a high risk prospect, because Barmes is a short term rental for us anyway.  Now, I know no one would ever think of taking on the atrocity that is Carlos Lee's contract.  Who pays 20 M for a slow average fielding left fielder, who is hitting .264 with 12 homeruns, and he would reject just about any trade anyway, since you guys are paying him David Ortiz type money and he can stay at home on his ranch. 

Also, why did you not trade Wandy?  What were you looking for?  I know the Yankees wanted us to pay an absurd amount of his payroll, and you cant throw money at it forever, but it was another chance to get young.  Now you are going to have to try and waiver trade him, and will be lucky to get much in return.  I can see that by wavier trading, and not asking for much, you may be able to corner any suitors into not asking for salary relief, so if it was just a money issue, that sucks but I get it.

Now, those moves are all in the past.  Lets talk about where we go from here.  What the hell are Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace doing in Triple A.  And I SWEAR if you say "We moved them down to work on their confidence and find their swing, and to make roster room for Martinez and Paredes"  I am going to slap you into next season.

Thats absolutely the dumbest thing I have heard, especially with Jason Michaels still on the roster.  You have an opportunity to field an amazingly young talented team.  Send Jason Michaels down.  Waiver trade, or designate, or outright Carlos Lee.  Or, better idea, Lee knows how to play the game, talk to him and see if he would be willing to ride out the year in Triple A and pass his wisdom on to some of the other guys.  Here is what the lineup SHOULD look like.

1. Jason Bourgeois - R -CF
2. Jose Altuve - R -2B
3. Brett Wallace - L -1B
4. J.D. Martinez - R -LF
5. Chris Johnson - R - 3B
6. Jimmy Paredes - S - SS (I think the kid could handle the move.)
7. Brian Bogusevic - L -RF
8. Carlos Corporan - S -C
9. Pitcher spot

Pinch Hitters:
Matt Downs - R - INF
J.B. Shuck - L - OF

Sanchez, Manzella, or Villar can be a defensive substitution for Paredes, and Quintero, Towles or Castro as your back up catcher.

Replace Wandy with Clemens or Oberholtzer, and think about trying Cosart out in a closer or set up role if you think Melancon is the long term answer.

That puts your OLDEST position player at 29, with an average age of 25-26 for full time position players.  Then, if Bourgeois is having the kind of year he is capable of, flip him for a couple more prospects.

Thats a young team of players that everyone would absolutely love to watch.  If you need a clubhouse leader, leave Carlos Lee on the squad, or bring back Berkman.

Thanks for completely crapping all over Johnson and Wallace by sending them to triple A.  Way to show confidence in your young cornerstones.

- Danny