Jason

Lane

Manager Phil Garner plans to give Craig Biggio more time off in coming weeks, which will help Lane, who could be the starting left fielder next season. If the Astros find a taker for Jeff Kent, Biggio could return to second base for the final month, opening up a spot for Lane.

Lane, who hit .296 with four homers and 10 RBI in 27 at-bats after joining the Astros in August, will need a Richard Hidalgo trade in order to land a starting job next season. Since Hidalgo is set to make $12 million in 2004 and will be tough to move despite a strong season, Lane will probably go into the year as a fourth outfielder. However, he would be a better option than Craig Biggio in center field and could take over the job at some point.

Lane started in right field yesterday, going 2-for-4 with a mammoth three-run homer and a double. He’s now 4-for-9 this spring. You won’t convince the Astros of this, but Lane would do more for their offense than an aging Craig Biggio. For now, Lane will have to settle for a reserve role. He’s likely to have value at some point this season, though.

Lane has played in only a couple of games this month due to his injury.

Lane is batting .337 with 1 HR, 20 RBI, 8/14 K/BB and 1 SB in 83 AB for New Orleans.

Lane has only managed 164 at-bats this season, during which time he is hitting .280 with five homers, 26 RBI, a 14/26 K/BB, and 830 OPS.

Lane signed as a first baseman and played about 1 1/2 years at the position before moving to the outfield. He’s expected to make the Astros this year as a backup to Richard Hidalgo and Jeff Bagwell, but will have to wait for an injury or a trade to show what he can do. He’s worth stashing away.

Craig Biggio is moving to left field, and Lance Berkman to right field, which really does make more sense than having Biggio return to the infield and moving Jeff Kent to third. It’s just a bad break for Lane and Lane owners.

Even though Mike Lamb and Orlando Palmeiro are doing rather well, it’s past time for Phil Garner to make Lane an everyday player again.

Lane hasn’t been as productive as hoped, but he does have 17 homers, 25 doubles and 50 RBI in 341 at-bats. He should receive fewer days off over the rest of the season.