I have not. I'm working on getting a few names as far as the managerial search goes. I'll throw them out here if I get anything definitive

I always love to ask people who are fair weather fans questions about their own team and watch them crumble when I know more about their team than they do

I was not a big time poster on this thread but always loved coming in here reading all the insights some of you guys give, certain details or situations of playoff games that sometimes I completely miss or don't pay attention to cus the wife was asking me a question about the game. Haha....I hope you guys don't mind that maybe I'll be popping in the new thread. Always loved wasting time at work reading this stuff, especially TA2015's info, really cool for giving us a little bit of what goes on inside the clubhouse.

After being upset last night over the series and finally thinking it through, it still amazes me the talent this team had this season. Through all the injuries and our donkey of a manager they were still 1 win away from the WS, pretty crazy if you ask me. But screw the moral victories, lets get some new blood in here and new manager to get this team going again, I feel with some new pieces and a healthier roster this team can win 100 games. Though I don't think the division will be as easy, I still think the division runs through the Astros.

Also, F*** the rangers and anybody that says keep the trophy in Texas, like somebody else said earlier I hope Harper and them boys Pimp the hell out of their HRs!! lol

A potential Phils/Rangers WS would be a good one

The crazy fanbase in Philly and the newcomers in Arlington. They both can mash. They both have some kocky MFers.

I think it would be a pretty good rowdy series and would be pulling for Philly.

Ag_07 said:

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A potential Phils/Rangers WS would be a good one

The crazy fanbase in Philly and the newcomers in Arlington. They both can mash. They both have some kocky MFers.

I think it would be a pretty good rowdy series and would be pulling for Philly.

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Agree. A Philly/Texas WS would be pretty cool to watch. A Texas/Arizona series would be boring as hell IMO.

Jet Black said:

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https://deadspin.com/houston-astros-dusty-baker-alcs-diamondbacks-nlcs-1850952929

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It became clear there's only a specific set of circumstances that would allow Dusty to be successful with both the results and the fans.

1. Veteren heavy roster
2. Healthy all year
3. No playing time conflicts between rookie and vets

He only got 1/3 of those in 2023 and the cracks began to show and he fell back on what he knows to the dismay of fans and media.

I'm glad dusty got a WS championship in Houston. He's a good dude and a baseball legend. I don't mind at all him being associating with Astros baseball in the history books. It's pretty cool. That being said, it's past time for him to go.

texasaggie2015 said:

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After sleeping on it, I'm surprisingly at peace. Extremely frustrated.. but at peace.

Things are damn good when falling a game short of the World Series feels like a catastrophic failure.

We're not far from winning another championship. A couple good offseason moves, a new manager and some better fortune next season and we're right there once again.

It's extremely difficult to win a World Series. We've had such a great run of not only excellent teams, but also great luck as well. I hate to say it, but we were sort of due for a season like this. And we still got so damn close.

I know it doesn't make it better but I think it's important to keep things in perspective.

This thread is so fun and I love interacting with you guys throughout the season. As far as the off-season goes... here's what I've been told as of a week or so ago. Again, this is just what I'm told.

• Josh Hader will be the number one target in free agency
• If we miss on Hader, we're still willing to spend big to beef up the bullpen
• They want to add a veteran innings eater to the rotation. We've seen how important that type of guy is.
• The managerial search will begin right away. No known frontrunners but Joe Espada and Alex Cintron will likely be in the running. Dana Brown will have a list of his own guys as well which has been speculated to include Walt Weiss.
• 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.
• Expect a couple additions to the front office- primarily in the scouting/R&D departments.

Obviously things can change but that's where things seem to be right now.

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Even as it sucks to lose and I hate to see the season end, I already know we will be better next year because of the immediate upgrades we will get at catcher and manager when Dusty won't be here to force Maldonado into the lineup every night. I love Maldy and really hope they work out a role for him on the staff to retain his true intangibles in helping the staff (and Diaz) to prepare, but it needs to be Diaz's time next year.

irish pete ag06 said:

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EXACTLY.

It's really hard to repeat.

Maldonado being replaced by Yainer is a 4 win swing as long as Yainer's offense doesn't fall off a map.

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Only 4 you think?

I'm thinking almost double digits

Barry Bonds highest career WAR in a single season was 11.9

texasaggie2015 said:

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Barry Bonds highest career WAR in a single season was 11.9

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Yes but Maldy is less than replacement level

Jet Black said:

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I'm glad dusty got a WS championship in Houston. He's a good dude and a baseball legend. I don't mind at all him being associating with Astros baseball in the history books. It's pretty cool. That being said, it's past time for him to go.

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This is exactly where I'm at with the Dusty situation as well. I'll forever be grateful for the four ALCS appearances, two WS appearances, and the WS title that he helped bring to Houston.
Wish him well in whatever he decides to do next, but it's time to part ways and start a new chapter in Astros history.

Buck Showalter is a candidate for the Angels managerial opening, per @jonmorosi

Angels GM Perry Minasian spent time with Showalter in Texas pic.twitter.com/87npJ3XtLg

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 24, 2023

Manager candidates for the Astros according to callers to me and @SeanUnfiltered this morning on @SportsTalk790:

Phil Nevin
Yadier Molina
Michael Brantley (Bench coach)
Martin Maldonado
Scott Servais
Aaron Boone
Joe Maddon
Bring Dusty back

— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) October 24, 2023

Possibly the worst list ever assembled

At first pass I misread that to say "Astros" and almost had a heart attack

I may be in the minority but I really don't want to see Maldy back in any way.

It pissed me off last year when we had a chance to sign Vasquez but he threw a fit saying he wanted to be traded if we signed him.

If you brought him back as a backup he would probably just be disgruntled.

bearkatag15 said:

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Manager candidates for the Astros according to callers to me and @SeanUnfiltered this morning on @SportsTalk790:

Phil Nevin
Yadier Molina
Michael Brantley (Bench coach)
Martin Maldonado
Scott Servais
Aaron Boone
Joe Maddon
Bring Dusty back

— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) October 24, 2023

Possibly the worst list ever assembled

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Good Lord! Hell NO!

Thinice said:

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I may be in the minority but I really don't want to see Maldy back in any way.

It pissed me off last year when we had a chance to sign Vasquez but he threw a fit saying he wanted to be traded if we signed him.

If you brought him back as a backup he would probably just be disgruntled.

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Be glad that didn't happen because he was about the same as Maldy yet getting paid 10 M a year for 3 years.

Saw DeRosa in the comments and I'm pretty confident there's interest on Houston's part there

RED AG 98 said:

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bearkatag15 said:

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Manager candidates for the Astros according to callers to me and @SeanUnfiltered this morning on @SportsTalk790:

Phil Nevin
Yadier Molina
Michael Brantley (Bench coach)
Martin Maldonado
Scott Servais
Aaron Boone
Joe Maddon
Bring Dusty back

— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) October 24, 2023

Possibly the worst list ever assembled

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I truly hope this is throwing names against the wall rather than any real intelligence.

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Never underestimate the stupidity of people who call in to a radio show.

Quote:

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according to callers

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Remember, people with actually information aren't likely to randomly call in to a radio show and spill the beans. Additionally, radio shows love crazy, inflammatory callers with insane takes because that gets more people to listen and call in.

That list isn't worth anything but a laugh.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Saw DeRosa in the comments and I'm pretty confident there's interest on Houston's part there

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I hadn't thought about DeRosa, but I think that would be a great hire.