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Started By
Message
Posted on 11/7/23 at 9:19 pm to Cliff Booth
quote:
@Chandler_Rome
This story has been updated to reflect that Joe Espada's contract with the Astros expired last month. He can interview with other teams without permission. Dana Brown said earlier today that the Astros "hold the keys" in that regard. That is not accurate -
I'm growing less confident it's going to be Espada. If he was the guy they wanted, knowing he's not on contract and free to interview elsewhere, they'd move quickly to lock him up and make sure another team doesn't grab him. But Dana is talking about he'd like to get this done by Thanksgiving but says don't hold him to that.
Posted on 11/7/23 at 9:36 pm to Lsuhoohoo
Agreed
Doesn’t sound like due diligence rhetoric to me either
Something about him has given every team a red flag
Doesn’t sound like due diligence rhetoric to me either
Something about him has given every team a red flag
Posted on 11/8/23 at 8:10 am to Lsuhoohoo
Shitty contracts kill you. Montero, Abreu and Graveman account for $40m. Just think of the possibilities with that much space.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 9:25 am to Tigerfan14
quote:
@Chandler_Rome
How much financial flexibility do the Astros have this winter? “I don’t think we have a ton, but I think the deal is this: I think Jim will do whatever it takes to win. And if it means that we have to spend a little more, he will do it,” Dana Brown said -
quote:
@michaelschwab13
"Brown said he expects Garcia and McCullers back on a major-league mound “by early July or so,” Getting two starters back by deadline is as good as a big deadline deal. That's hopeful. Also, it doesn't seem like the Astros will make a big free agent splash.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 9:35 am to Lsuhoohoo
So basically we're staying under the tax. Gonna spend pennies on bench/bullpen and call it a day. We'll get some lip service about all the things that would have been done if it "made sense" and that we were "in the mix" on some guys.
This is a quote from a man shopping in the bargain bin.
Only positive thing I can think to say is I don't really hate Graveman as the 7th inning guy. He's plenty good enough to be your 3rd best reliever when he's keeping the walks under control.
This is a quote from a man shopping in the bargain bin.
quote:
“If it comes down to getting a seventh inning guy and we have to use money that we could use for a sixth inning guy and a catcher, we’ll probably get the sixth inning guy and a catcher and fill the seventh inning from within,” Brown said.
Only positive thing I can think to say is I don't really hate Graveman as the 7th inning guy. He's plenty good enough to be your 3rd best reliever when he's keeping the walks under control.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 9:42 am to Cliff Booth
quote:
we’ll probably get the sixth inning guy and a catcher and fill the seventh inning from within,
Championship.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 10:06 am to Lsuhoohoo
Good thing we wasted 2023 on Moron Manager and Shitty Catcher.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 10:15 am to Jwho77
Dana says they expect LMJ back in early July...
Predictions for the actual return?
I'll say September after a series of setbacks.
Predictions for the actual return?
I'll say September after a series of setbacks.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 10:22 am to Lsuhoohoo
The fact that he’s still being talked about as a starter when he does come back is a bit surprising.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 10:23 am to Jwho77
Why are we still waiting to hire Espada. I cannot believe we are seriously considering some old never-been who is a Bagwell buddy.
I just don't understand how we got here as a franchise.
The James Click hire seemed like a perfect continuation of advanced team management to build sustained, elite success. We may have been frustrated with some of Click's lack of aggression, but looking back I think that can be more attributed to Crane than Click. Also, Click's aggression was probably more subtle, in moves like getting rid of league worst CF Myles Straw at the expense of pissing off Dustard and losing his job.
But since the departure of Click, all the front office moves and tone have felt like a downward spiral to the dark ages. It's like Jim Crane and Cal McNair switched bodies. I just dont understand how this happened so quickly.
I just don't understand how we got here as a franchise.
The James Click hire seemed like a perfect continuation of advanced team management to build sustained, elite success. We may have been frustrated with some of Click's lack of aggression, but looking back I think that can be more attributed to Crane than Click. Also, Click's aggression was probably more subtle, in moves like getting rid of league worst CF Myles Straw at the expense of pissing off Dustard and losing his job.
But since the departure of Click, all the front office moves and tone have felt like a downward spiral to the dark ages. It's like Jim Crane and Cal McNair switched bodies. I just dont understand how this happened so quickly.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 10:37 am to Topo Chico
quote:
Why are we still waiting to hire Espada. I cannot believe we are seriously considering some old never-been who is a Bagwell buddy.
I don't think they want to hire him, or at least no one above Dana Brown seems to want to hire him. Seems like if he was the guy, they could make that happen now, especially now that Counsell is off the board.
And given the amount of influence Bagwell seems to have, Ausmus being considered and hired would be the least surprising thing this offseason.
I totally agree with you that things seem to be on a downward trend from an ownership/front office management standpoint. I don't really give 2 shits about Espada either way. I guess he'd be fine, but there's no way to know until he actually runs things. So I'm OK with someone else.
But we've seen Ausmus as a manager in action - twice - and we've seen Bagwell's front office performance. And both are not good.
This post was edited on 11/8/23 at 10:39 am
Posted on 11/8/23 at 10:38 am to Topo Chico
It's pretty simple. Jim Crane's ego is ruining the on-field product.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 11:07 am to Jwho77
I hope we all enjoy the next few seasons, whatever they may bring as they should at a minimum be competitive. Based on the observational clues around us, we're headed for another dark ages rebuilding period after this window closes.
We know Crane is not willing to spend competitively to retain the best talent or acquire it from the FA market. Our farm system sucks, so there's no more replacements to plug holes he let walk away. So what's our future?
So if he's not willing to spend big on free agency and the farm system sucks, where are we? That basically leaves us at the fork to choose between the end of the McLane era and the start of the Crane era. McClane had a dead end farm and signed a bunch lower tier free agents and end of career veterans (Wigginton, Tejada, Blum, Pudge) to keep us hovering from 70-80 wins. Crane tore it all down and tanked for draft capital for 4 seasons of suck arse.
I think were going to take the McLane route of being the most basic level of competitive until Altuves next contract plays out, tank again and rebuild.
We know Crane is not willing to spend competitively to retain the best talent or acquire it from the FA market. Our farm system sucks, so there's no more replacements to plug holes he let walk away. So what's our future?
So if he's not willing to spend big on free agency and the farm system sucks, where are we? That basically leaves us at the fork to choose between the end of the McLane era and the start of the Crane era. McClane had a dead end farm and signed a bunch lower tier free agents and end of career veterans (Wigginton, Tejada, Blum, Pudge) to keep us hovering from 70-80 wins. Crane tore it all down and tanked for draft capital for 4 seasons of suck arse.
I think were going to take the McLane route of being the most basic level of competitive until Altuves next contract plays out, tank again and rebuild.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 11:14 am to Lsuhoohoo
quote:
I think were going to take the McLane route of being the most basic level of competitive until Altuves next contract plays out, tank again and rebuild.
This is absolutely how it feels. Happy for Crane that his new "Astro-ville" will be finished right when the team is in the doldrums.
Having said that, still excited for the next couple of years. I'm hoping an offseason without WBC will produce the starting rotation we were expecting to have coming in to 2023.
This post was edited on 11/8/23 at 11:15 am
Posted on 11/8/23 at 11:21 am to Lsuhoohoo
quote:
until Altuves next contract plays out
I guess that's one slight bit of intrigue for our offseason. Do we think an extension gets done before the season starts? I can't see him leaving either way but I'm curious to see what the numbers look like.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 11:30 am to Topo Chico
My thoughts/questions right now:
1) What is the status on Graveman? I know he was hurt during the playoffs, but I don't know if this will affect hi for next year.
2) Kind of wish we'd just hire Espada cuz I think he would be a good manager for us, but if this front office wanted him, he would have been hired already. So he ain't going to happen. I just hope and pray it ain't Ausmus. He would be an absolute disaster. Him being a failure manager twice isn't enough?
3) I know yall agree, but don't expect much spending this off season, unless you believe spending pennies is actually spending. We have holes everywhere (not huge ones), and I don't expect them to be fully addressed.
4) Crane has been a disappointment to me, especially the past couple years. He talks about spending a lot and going over the tax to keep this team World Series competitive and he doesn't. He also gives Bagwell WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much power in the front office. I keep thinking Dana Brown is the GM, but he's basically another Click where he has a leash on the decisions he makes. Brown is essentially an overpaid baseball scout and Bagwell is our GM, which makes no sense to me.
5) Need at least 1 starter, 1-2 bullpen guys, a backup C, and a corner OF so Dubon can be your utility guy. I haven't looked too heavily at the available free agents, but I'll take a better look later.
This is a very very important off season for the Astros. Most important one in years IMO to see if we can extend this ride or if it will fall of a cliff quickly. I hope they nail it, but it's not what I expect. More conservative actions.
1) What is the status on Graveman? I know he was hurt during the playoffs, but I don't know if this will affect hi for next year.
2) Kind of wish we'd just hire Espada cuz I think he would be a good manager for us, but if this front office wanted him, he would have been hired already. So he ain't going to happen. I just hope and pray it ain't Ausmus. He would be an absolute disaster. Him being a failure manager twice isn't enough?
3) I know yall agree, but don't expect much spending this off season, unless you believe spending pennies is actually spending. We have holes everywhere (not huge ones), and I don't expect them to be fully addressed.
4) Crane has been a disappointment to me, especially the past couple years. He talks about spending a lot and going over the tax to keep this team World Series competitive and he doesn't. He also gives Bagwell WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much power in the front office. I keep thinking Dana Brown is the GM, but he's basically another Click where he has a leash on the decisions he makes. Brown is essentially an overpaid baseball scout and Bagwell is our GM, which makes no sense to me.
5) Need at least 1 starter, 1-2 bullpen guys, a backup C, and a corner OF so Dubon can be your utility guy. I haven't looked too heavily at the available free agents, but I'll take a better look later.
This is a very very important off season for the Astros. Most important one in years IMO to see if we can extend this ride or if it will fall of a cliff quickly. I hope they nail it, but it's not what I expect. More conservative actions.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 2:34 pm to A Menace to Sobriety
quote:
Need at least 1 starter
Lance is coming back. Done.
quote:
1-2 bullpen guys
Say hello to Matt Gage and Joel Kuhnel in full time roles.
quote:
a backup C,
Bagwell wants Maldy back. Book it.
quote:
and a corner OF
Uncle Mike, it's a loyalty thing.
There, problems solved.
Posted on 11/8/23 at 3:21 pm to Lsuhoohoo
quote:
Dana says they expect LMJ back in early July...
Predictions for the actual return?
I'll say September after a series of setbacks.
April 2026
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