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**Kitty** · 06-05-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Drayton McLane now sounds like a man who is not interested in a quick fix.

Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle had a long talk with the Astros owner, who hinted that his team needs to get younger.

"We need to bring the age of our pitching staff down," said McLane. "We've got two in Round Rock (Bud Norris and Yorman Bazardo) right now that they say could be very effective next year. We got some potentially great ones in the draft last year."

McLane defends not signing a premier free-agent pitcher, saying the payroll had already soared past $100 million and is now 65 percent of total revenues. While insisting he has not given up on 2009, the best way to change things is via the draft.

"We have to make a stronger investment and smarter picks in the draft," McLane said. "You've got to invest in young talent. To do that, you need patience, and that's hard for me."

McLane did emphasize he would like both Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt to finish their careers with the Astros. If either asks to be traded, he'll attempt to talk them out of it.

MLB Baseball Rumors - MLB Rumors - Major League Baseball Rumor Central - ESPN

Fire sale anyone?