Astros make Bland a free agent Team expected to tender contracts to three pitchers By Alyson Footer / MLB.com Octavio Dotel, who is arbitration eligible, is expected to take over the closer's role in 2004. (Osamu Honda/AP) HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros opted to not tender left-hander Nate Bland a contract for the 2004 season. Bland made 22 appearances for the Astros, finishing 1-2 with a 5.75 ERA. Bland was called up by the Astros on May 2 when Bruce Chen was designated for assignment, and he remained on the big league level until he was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on June 28. Bland was the second of three left-handed specialists to pitch for the Astros in 2003. Chen started the season in the bullpen, and Mike Gallo was called up when Bland was sent down. Gallo remained with the Astros for the final three months of the season and has a good chance to make next year's team. General manager Gerry Hunsicker indicated that he would like to re-sign Bland as a free agent and invite him to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. Roy Oswalt / P Height: 6'0" Weight: 170 Bats/Throws: R/R More info: Player page Stats Splits Astros site Saturday's non-tender deadline had little effect on the Astros, who are expected to offer contracts to their remaining arbitration-eligible players. Considering that list consists of Roy Oswalt, Wade Miller and Octavio Dotel, it's safe to say Hunsicker does not have plans to allow any of those pitchers to become free agents. The Astros had until Saturday to offer contracts to unsigned players on the 40-man roster. Any player not retained as a result of a non-tender is granted free agency. The decision to non-tender Bland allowed the Astros to clear a space on their roster, which was at the limit of 40. While it's still unclear if the Astros and Roger Clemens will come to a contract agreement, they need the extra space on their roster should the right-hander decide to unretire and pitch in Houston. The only other player who was a candidate to be non-tendered was third baseman Geoff Blum, but that issue was resolved when Hunsicker traded him to Tampa Bay for right-hander Brandon Backe during the Winter Meetings. Blum was due a hefty raise but without a starting position, it made little financial sense to keep him on the roster. Hunsicker indicated that he will address contract issues with the remaining unsigned players -- namely, Oswalt, Miller and Dotel -- at a later time. "I wouldn't expect to have any meaningful dialogue regarding contract until after the first of the year," Hunsicker said.
Screw Bland, we should sign Looper. The Marlins released him and he would make great 3rd stopper in the bullpen.
Gallo was better than Bland. They had the exact same role (lefty specialist), and Mike was lights out. I also believe Mike was tremendous during the AFL as well (Arizona fall leauge may be the best competition out there for winter ball).
