The Houstan Chronicle has a Bernard Fallas piece about the Astros being interested in Willy Taveras.  OK, do disrespect to Willy, who served the Reds well while all their pieces around were developing, but how on earth is a mediocre team supposed to improve if they continually bring in mediocre players?

Spend money on long-shots, don’t spend money on those guys that we know are barely major league.  Kansas City often is criticized for going the cheap route.  But every now and then they actually make a move that clearly improves them at a position.  The Astros, for the past two years, haven’t done that.  They are treading water, and the tide is getting stronger.  If you aren’t going to actually improve the team, or the young players on the team, then let the young players struggle through it- see if they can actually swim.  Don’t usurp their playing time by putting a albeit fast road-block in the way.