Astros May Need a SS Soon

Miguel Tejada, who had testified to Congress that he did not know about any performance enhancing drugs in baseball clubhouses, is expected to plead guilty to lying to Congress as part of the Congressional investigation into steroids in baseball. Tejada has reportedly reached a plea bargain with prosecutors. The crime carries with it a maximum one year jail sentence, but federal sentencing guidelines make probation up to six months in prison more likely.

It is hard to look at the Astros' roster and see another everyday shortstop, but one wonders if Drayton McLane and the Astros use this plea bargain to terminate his contract as a cost saving move. The Astros had made little secret about their attempts to move Tejada's contract elsewhere, and one wonders if this is all the evidence McLane will need to do additional cost saving moves (or improve the ballclub with the cost savings while picking up a defensive shortstop).

Tejada is smart to plea while the A-Roid scandal continues to make headlines and talk show fodder.