On July 31, 2010, the Astros dealt Lance Berkman to the Yankees for righty reliever Mark Melancon and 3B Jimmy Paredes. 26-year old righty reliever Mark Melancon is now the closer for the Astros. He has pitched in 68 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 7-4 with 19 saves, a 2.94 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. 22-year old switch-hitting 3B Jimmy Paredes has been the Astros’ starting 3B for the last month and a half. He has played in 42 games for the Astros so far this year and he is 46 for 154 (.299 avg, .734 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 2 homers, 16 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. It sucked that the Astros had to deal Berkman last July, but it appears that they have gotten a nice return for him as Mark Melancon and Jimmy Paredes appear to have bright futures.

28-year old righty reliever Wilton Lopez has turned in another solid year for the Astros in 2011. He has pitched in 67 games (0 starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 2-6 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Lopez has now pitched in 143 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Astros and he is 7-10 with 1 save, a 3.61 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Lopez’ main asset has been his control as he has only walked 30 batters in his first 152 innings with the Astros. He will continue to be able to work late in games for the Astros.

26-year old righty starting pitcher Bud Norris has really improved as a pitcher this year for the Astros. He has pitched in 29 games (all starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 6-9 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Norris has only given up 166 hits in his first 176 1/3 innings so far this year, while whiffing 170 batters and walking only 67. Norris has now pitched in 67 games (66 starts) in his first three years with the Astros and he is 21-22 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Norris is going to be a key for the rebuilding Astros’ in the next few years, so they have to be really happy that he has improved his control and performance in 2011.

Despite the Astros really stinking up the joint this year, 32-year old lefty starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez continues to battle every night he starts. He has pitched in 26 games (all starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 10-10 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Rodriguez has now pitched in 202 games (193 starts) in his first seven years with the Astros and he is 72-74 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. The Astros tried to deal Rodriguez before the trade deadline and despite finding no takers, they will likely try to deal him over the winter. That would be a shame as Rodriguez has turned into a very solid starting pitcher for the Astros.

Sure, the Astros have sucked so far this year, as they are 38-79, but you can’t blame that on 32-year old lefty starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez. In his last four starts, Rodriguez is 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP as he hasn’t let the recent trading off of Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn bother him on the mound. Rodriguez has now pitched in 21 games (all starts) for the Astros so far this year and he is 8-8 with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Don’t be shocked if Rodriguez is the next guy to go in a deal, but here’s to hoping the Astros keep him unless they get exactly what they want back.