Deluxe said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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The Astros have discussed a role on the staff with Maldonado. I previously said it's been offered to him, but I've heard two different things (one said it's been offered and the other said it's being discussed) so I don't want to be definitive here. I'm not sure what position- but he's very analytically advanced and it wouldn't surprise me if it's some sort of hybrid role where he works behind the scenes and also with the pitchers and catchers on a day-to-day basis.

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I haven't gotten the vibe that Maldy thinks his playing days are over. If he wants to play next year, he'll find a job... even if it's just a timeshare or backup role.

If he does to hang it up and retire, I have my doubts whether he'd want to just jump back into the 162 grind as a coach/analyst without taking a year or two off. Who knows though.

I don't doubt that our front office wants him back in the dugout next year in some capacity and there's almost certainly a contingent that prefers it be in a coach/analyst capacity (as opposed to catching). So I'm not doubting your info. It's just ultimately up to Maldy.

To me, the more interesting question is what our reaction would be if he still wants to play. I know I'm in the minority on this board, I'd love to have him back as a 50-60 game per year backup to Diaz. JV personal catcher (who will stump for him to be back if he wants to play).

It seemed like most people's issue with Maldy wasn't that he existed on the team, it was the strange allocation of playing time between him and Diaz throughout the regular season. A new manager and upfront alignment of expectations can resolve that.

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I like what Maldy brings and hope he's still around the team. But there is a chance it might stunt Diaz's growth too. If Maldy is still on the roster, the pitchers are going to want their guy as soon as something doesn't go right with Diaz. Internally, Diaz most likely going to defer to Maldonado behind the scenes in meetings and scouting. We need to be able to let Diaz fail and learn lessons too. It wouldn't hurt to add a veteran catching that brings a different perspective as well. Someone like Hedges would be super cheap because he's a zero on offense, but is elite at framing and blocking.

They like Salazar a lot for some of the same reasons they liked Maldonado. He's very sharp and puts a lot of time into game prep. If I had to guess, he's the backup catcher next year. But don't rule out the possibility of signing a veteran for cheap. Victor Caratini for example.

mAgnoliAg said:

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So it begins with a quote from premium:

"Agree. I am disappointed oye Astros couldn't win it at home. Congrats to the Rangers. Keep the World Series trophy in Texas. Let's Go Rangers!"

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Like the Ags rooting for tu in 2005. Clowns

I don't at all mind the people who feel that way but I figure if the Phillies win today, they'll romp in the WS, and I will certainly find mirth in it.

Aggie Therapist said:

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Enough with the tip of the hat posts from Astros fans

Hope they lose and come back to an empty WS trophy case year after year

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It's ok to be gracious in defeat and to acknowledge the joy of their fans, but rooting for them in the Series is not an option. Only way I'd root for them is if they trotted Nolan Ryan out for a start, but even then I'd be conflicted.

Farmer1906 said:

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I like what Maldy brings and hope he's still around the team. But there is a chance it might stunt Diaz's growth too. If Maldy is still on the roster, the pitchers are going to want their guy as soon as something doesn't go right with Diaz. Internally, Diaz most likely going to defer to Maldonado behind the scenes in meetings and scouting. We need to be able to let Diaz fail and learn lessons too. It wouldn't hurt to add a veteran catching that brings a different perspective as well. Someone like Hedges would be super cheap because he's a zero on offense, but is elite at framing and blocking.

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Agree. IMO this is the best case for letting Maldy walk if he does want to come back (as a player). Maldy is pretty clearly the alpha of our game-prep/strategy/whatever behind the scenes. And it might be tough to lose that if he decides he wants to play (elsewhere) in 2024. But if we want Diaz to take the next step in his development, gotta take away the Maldy security blanket.

It honestly just never felt right for the Astros this year. I know we won our division but it never really seemed like we played up to our potential. Pitching injuries did not help either.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Something that will fly under the radar... this team doesn't have many vocal leaders in the clubhouse. Correa was the voice until he left. This year it was Maldonado and Hector Neris. Both of those guys will likely be gone next year.

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Why we gotta lock up Breggy

512Ag said:

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Aggie Therapist said:

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Enough with the tip of the hat posts from Astros fans

Hope they lose and come back to an empty WS trophy case year after year

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It's ok to be gracious in defeat and to acknowledge the joy of their fans, but rooting for them in the Series is not an option. Only way I'd root for them is if they trotted Nolan Ryan out for a start, but even then I'd be conflicted.

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My empathetic listening and validation of feelings is from 9-5. Jk

A bullpen trio of Pressly, Abreu, and Hader would be filthy. Please make it happen, Dana.

Texaggie7nine said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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Something that will fly under the radar... this team doesn't have many vocal leaders in the clubhouse. Correa was the voice until he left. This year it was Maldonado and Hector Neris. Both of those guys will likely be gone next year.

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Why we gotta lock up Breggy

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Bregman or Verlander should be the voice.

Boiling Denim said:

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The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good:
Altuve's return, 2K and playoff success
Dubon's emergence as more than dependable utility guy
Chas taking the next step
Diaz giving us some life behind home plate
Yordon Yordonging in the playoffs
Tucker, Bryan Abreu and Neris regular seasons
1st half pitching and the no-no
Abreu's last month and playoffs
The Frenchman keeping the pitching staff afloat
JV coming back

The Bad:
Dusty falling back on old coaching habits, veteran nepotism, pitching mismanagement and rookie mismanagement
Javier's regular season
2nd half pitching
Yordan injuries accumulating
Maldy

The Ugly:
Jim Crane's off-season
Last 30 home games
Jose Abreu until September
Montero
Hunter Brown, Framber and Pena's second halfs
Tucker in the playoffs

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The Good:

Espada getting super creative in G5 ALCS, that's my manager

texasaggie2015 said:

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Something that will fly under the radar... this team doesn't have many vocal leaders in the clubhouse. Correa was the voice until he left. This year it was Maldonado and Hector Neris. Both of those guys will likely be gone next year.

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I don't feel like that's under the radar, I feel like it's been blatantly obvious.

Office just covered my entire desk, computer, etc. with blue and red glitter.

mAgnoliAg said:

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Office just covered my entire desk, computer, etc. with blue and red glitter.

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Upper deck the toilets. It's really the only reasonable response.

mAgnoliAg said:

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Office just covered my entire desk, computer, etc. with blue and red glitter.

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You know what you have to do...

Wabs said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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Something that will fly under the radar... this team doesn't have many vocal leaders in the clubhouse. Correa was the voice until he left. This year it was Maldonado and Hector Neris. Both of those guys will likely be gone next year.

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Brantley will most likely not be back either. May not have been as vocal, but certainly a veteran presence. But it is what it is. We need an infusion of some younger talent, or at minimum use the young players we have (Diaz).

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Yep a good mix of veteran stability and young hungry players is the way to go

It felt like we went too far into business as usual, we're just doing our job, staleness this season.

Watching Neris get pumped up seemed so out of place with this team

Cromagnum said:

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I know that story was already posted. Been quiet quitting this season, or retiring to avoid a firing?

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/report-astros-dusty-baker-has-said-he-plans-to-retire-following-2023-season

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I think he realized halfway through this year that there was no more drive after winning the WS. He's old, he's tired, there's no more accomplishments. He was also getting dragged through the media and I don't think he would have been Dana's choice as a manager. He was done and that attitude trickled down.

John & Lance were discussing this and I think hit it. In Dusty's mind he was probably anticipating a victory lap as he had finally won the World Series. Instead there was no honeymoon period and he was criticized a lot this year, understandably so in most of the situations. That's just sports.

I recently watched "Swamp Kings" about the Meyer/Tebow Florida Gators and Urban Meyer said something similar. He thought winning the title would make coaching more enjoyable and less stressful. It actually made it worse.

I don't want Dusty back as manager next year, but I hope things end on a very happy note with him and the team. How many head coaches have ever retired from Houston teams? Would be nice to have a good ending, and overall his tenure was a big success.