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INTERACTIVE |
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 | Video: Baseball from NBC Sports |
 Sammy Sosa’s skin lightened? Nov. 9: Baseball slugger Sammy Sosa shocked the crowd when he showed up at a Las Vegas event with much lighter skin. Is he doing some kind of “skin cleansing,” as some have suggested? Dr. Nancy Snyderman talks with msnbc.com’s Courtney Hazlett and dermatologist Dr. Lynn McKinley Grant. |
HOUSTON ASTROS
2005 finish: 89-73, 2nd place in NL Central, wildcard
Manager: Phil Garner (3rd season)
Free agents: RHP Roger Clemens, C Brad Ausmus, RHP Russ Springer, IF Jose Vizcaino, OF Orlando Palmeiro
On the block: None
Looking for: A starting pitcher if Roger Clemens retires. Offense from either first base or a corner outfield spot, relievers
What’s going on: The big roster question marks are Roger Clemens and Jeff Bagwell. Clemens hasn’t given an indication on playing or retiring. He is a big chunk of the budget, which already has $63 million committed to five players (Andy Pettitte $17.5 million, Bagwell $16 million, Lance Berkman $14.5 million, Roy Oswalt $11 million, Craig Biggio $4 million). Lose Clemens, and the Astros lose an icon. But they would gain $18 million to get another top-quality starting pitcher, plus another much-needed bat. Bagwell will continue to rehab his shoulder in hopes of being an everyday first baseman again. The club also wants to re-sign Brad Ausmus, and probably will do so. Arbitration-eligibles Morgan Ensberg and Brad Lidge could be locked up with long-term deals for big raises over their 2005 salaries. Lefty Scott Eyre is one free-agent reliever possibility. Manager Phil Garner received a one-year contract extension, and is signed through 2007. Role players Orlando Palmeiro and Jose Vizcaino are expected to return.
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