That's a great question. The Stros finally have an explosive offense. I've been following this team since the Rader/Dierker/Metzger days, and this is the best, most explosive offense they've ever had. And they have the makings of an effective bullpen. What they need is a number 2 starter. If they had a one-two punch, Oswalt and someone of similar quality, Wandy and Backe might make a decent 3-4. Sampson has really been disappointing. I thought maybe they had something with that kid last year.
But they have traded away quite a few young pitchers the past couple years, 4 at least. They can't continue to do that and hope to develop any pitching. Do they have any decent prospects left? Whatever happened to Carlos Hernandez? He came up the same year as Oswalt, as I recall, maybe a year later. He looked great, lefty with a 93-94 fastball. He dives headfirst into second, tears his rotator cuff. He never was the same. Last I heard he was in the minors, trying to rebuild arm strength, regain a major league fastball. I guess he never did. He would be part of this rotation if he hadn't gotten hurt.
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