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The truth is that Crane already had a potential succession plan in place for at least a year. Crane privately interviewed several candidates to replace Click last winter in which they would work under Click for one year, and then likely assume the GM duties. Click instead was permitted to hire his own assistants.

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It was almost as if Crane believed the Astros were winning in spite of Click, and found himself more involved in baseball operations than he desired. He rejected Click's trade for Cubs catcher Willson Contreras for pitcher Jose Urquidy at this trade deadline, and grimaced at other moves that backfired. Certainly, he was looking forward to the day he could have someone else in the role that would earn his respect.

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I have no idea if Twitter is going to be around today, tomorrow, next week, next year.

I love everyone here and want them to know that there's a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency plan.

Rafael Montero is going back to the Astros for three years and $34.5 million, you monsters.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 12, 2022

Ags #1 said:

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This is so odd. We never overpay for a setup man. Didnt we let graveman walk for this?

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Was told last night that, in the interim, assistant general manager Andrew Ball and senior director of baseball strategy Bill Firkus are running the Astros' day-to-day baseball operations. Both were at the GM Meetings with James Click.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) November 12, 2022