Any insight on the urgency to make a hire and the timeline?
We thinking a couple weeks, a month, longer?
We thinking a couple weeks, a month, longer?
***Official Houston Astros 2023-24 Offseason Thread*** [Staff Warning - OP]
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Last: 10 mo ago by Lonestar_Ag09
linkdude said:Let's stay optimistic but this doesn't give me great feelings.From @brianmctaggart: "Dana Brown... will have a say in who’s in the manager’s chair, but owner Jim Crane and Jeff Bagwell, the team’s senior advisor to ownership and baseball operations, will oversee finding the next Astros skipper."
— Mike Mitchell (@MikeMitchNH) October 25, 2023
Absolute clown show in the front office.
If we end up with an old fart who goes by his gut, then I think the odds of the dynasty ending soon is very real.
W said:
Dana needs to have a backup plan at SS and 1B...
in case the 2023 production at those positions was not a one-off
that being said...Pena's great glove and .705 OPS is just fine in the 9-hole
unfortunately, the 9-hole was pre-occupied during the 2023 season
Isn't shortstop typically expected to be a premium offensive position. Not sure there is a good enough defensive skill set to win with a black hole at the plate from Short. He doesn't have to be the greatest slugger in the league but needs to be some level of producer I think
"It's just another corps trip boys, we'll march in behind the band"
I'd rather hire that SF lady coach than Showalter
D-Backs vs D-Bags.RED AG 98 said:
So many likeable players on the Snakes.
So many punchable @#$%#$ on the Rangers.
Not sure on exact timeframe but I would think sooner rather than later. Just my hunch
SF lady coachWabs said:
I'd rather hire that SF lady coach than Showalter
SF guy that dresses like a bush
SF homeless guy that poops on the sidewalk
Scott Servais
Buck S / Don M / Ron W
The more I think about it the old farts on that odds list are just there to fill the list.
It's super early in the process and they're just grasping at names to put on the list.
It's super early in the process and they're just grasping at names to put on the list.
heavens11 said:W said:
Dana needs to have a backup plan at SS and 1B...
in case the 2023 production at those positions was not a one-off
that being said...Pena's great glove and .705 OPS is just fine in the 9-hole
unfortunately, the 9-hole was pre-occupied during the 2023 season
Isn't shortstop typically expected to be a premium offensive position. Not sure there is a good enough defensive skill set to win with a black hole at the plate from Short. He doesn't have to be the greatest slugger in the league but needs to be some level of producer I think
No. Your stop is typically not a premium. That kind of changed over the last 20 years, but really for just a handful of guys each decade.
A reminder that the people who make these odds have no connections to Houston whatsoever.
complete opposite traditionally. Most SS are there for their glove first. Which Pena has and why he's on list list of dumb discussion topics. Unless he was part of something much larger but he isn't being discarded when he had a gold glove level skill on defense and still has potential in his batheavens11 said:W said:
Dana needs to have a backup plan at SS and 1B...
in case the 2023 production at those positions was not a one-off
that being said...Pena's great glove and .705 OPS is just fine in the 9-hole
unfortunately, the 9-hole was pre-occupied during the 2023 season
Isn't shortstop typically expected to be a premium offensive position. Not sure there is a good enough defensive skill set to win with a black hole at the plate from Short. He doesn't have to be the greatest slugger in the league but needs to be some level of producer I think
Edit to add: it's funny to me how this thread thinks our lineup is going to be murders row where everyone bats .290 and drives in 80 runs and hits 18 HR
I wouldn't hate to have Maldy on the coaching staff assuming he retires and they promote Espada
Don Mattingly and his hippie sideburns have no place in Houston.
I think Pena's ceiling is somewhere between this year's version and last year's postseason (that was a fluke hot streak). I think on his cheap deal and 4 more years of club control, he is still a massive value and great for the 9 hole once you no longer have the catcher clogging that spot up.
Once you fill 6-7-8 with some combination of Diaz, Chas, and FA OF, you have a much deeper lineup.
The only way I would move off of Chas is if including Pena in a trade landed you a major piece to plug another need and you planned to then simply plug Dubon in the SS/9 hole. But it would need to be a major piece because Pena has major value.
I feel like the corner OF and one bullpen spot is where it makes sense to spend some money in FA. Bullpen and even SP feel like where the organization is good at value trades.
2015 keeps posting about Hader (and I have no reason to disbelieve his intel), but that just seems so different from our normal organizational strategy.
Once you fill 6-7-8 with some combination of Diaz, Chas, and FA OF, you have a much deeper lineup.
The only way I would move off of Chas is if including Pena in a trade landed you a major piece to plug another need and you planned to then simply plug Dubon in the SS/9 hole. But it would need to be a major piece because Pena has major value.
I feel like the corner OF and one bullpen spot is where it makes sense to spend some money in FA. Bullpen and even SP feel like where the organization is good at value trades.
2015 keeps posting about Hader (and I have no reason to disbelieve his intel), but that just seems so different from our normal organizational strategy.
All I do is Nguyen said:I agree with a lot of what you're saying but I think we need to add a SP (ya'll know how I am about pitching, we can never have enough), maybe a BP innings eater, and if Pena can't figure his hitting out we may need a SS, or just plug Dubon in there.Lonestar_Ag09 said:
Y'all have a lot of very early, very big dreams for this off season. I'm not even trying to be pessimistic but y'all need to cool it or you're going to have a coronary when none of these big moves happen.
This team has existing SP depth, unless some is traded away we aren't signing a veteran.
This team has the most depth in the system at OF, this isn't disappearing and we aren't signing a corner OF for 10+ million or more and especially not two
This team brought up Salazar and gave him innings early over Diaz, they aren't spending money on a veteran catcher.
HB was in the rotation all year this year, with luAce out early and the question mark for McC he isn't going to now be moved to the pen.
This team doesn't build by signing a bunch of free agents what on Earth would make y'all think they would do that this year and in positions we have pieces to fill in.
We have
Verlander
Framber
CJ
Brown
Urquidy
France
Blanco
And something in McC
Half year or Garcia
Add to that the three young guns in the minors 15 mentioned. Unless we deal some pieces that's poor money spent
Espada, please.
If I remember correctly, it was Espada who moved Mancini over last year to put him in position to make that great play at first in the World Series. Espada was in charge at the end of game 5 this year vs Arlington.
Now, I realize these are small snippets, but they illustrate he's got a feel for the game. But, he's also an analytics guy who is young.
I'm firmly in the Espada camp.
If I remember correctly, it was Espada who moved Mancini over last year to put him in position to make that great play at first in the World Series. Espada was in charge at the end of game 5 this year vs Arlington.
Now, I realize these are small snippets, but they illustrate he's got a feel for the game. But, he's also an analytics guy who is young.
I'm firmly in the Espada camp.
I mean, I would take Hinch in a heartbeat.Wabs said:
Good Lord, we don't need a re-tread manager. We need some youth, energy, and creativity.
Showalter? Mattingly? Come on dude.
If the Astros hire a Buck/Nevin/Washington etc I will treat the hire and 2024 season with the same level of apathy I did Aggie football post Petrino hire.
I remember last offseason, there was a lot of doom and gloom about who was going to end up being the Astros GM, including the fears that Baggy was going to get his buddy Brad Ausmus in that role.
I think it's pretty clear the type of thinking that Crane has when he went with Dana Brown, and I fully expect us to get a manager that falls in line with Dana Brown's line of thinking. Getting a Buck or Mattingly just doesn't seem to fit, and it's one of the things I'm least worried about this offseason.
I'm more worried about extending Altuve, adding a bullpen arm or two, getting our starting pitchers healthy mentally and physically, and adding a few key ingredients to give us another strong run. I absolutely want to win another World Series, but another successful season would be making it our 8th straight LCS and giving the team a legit chance to get that 3rd ring. As painful as this season was at times, this team came through and had a pretty damn successful season.
I think it's pretty clear the type of thinking that Crane has when he went with Dana Brown, and I fully expect us to get a manager that falls in line with Dana Brown's line of thinking. Getting a Buck or Mattingly just doesn't seem to fit, and it's one of the things I'm least worried about this offseason.
I'm more worried about extending Altuve, adding a bullpen arm or two, getting our starting pitchers healthy mentally and physically, and adding a few key ingredients to give us another strong run. I absolutely want to win another World Series, but another successful season would be making it our 8th straight LCS and giving the team a legit chance to get that 3rd ring. As painful as this season was at times, this team came through and had a pretty damn successful season.
scd88 said:
Espada, please.
If I remember correctly, it was Espada who moved Mancini over last year to put him in position to make that great play at first in the World Series. Espada was in charge at the end of game 5 this year vs Arlington.
Now, I realize these are small snippets, but they illustrate he's got a feel for the game. But, he's also an analytics guy who is young.
I'm firmly in the Espada camp.
Yulis injury put Mancini at 1B last WS. Nothing else. If he's not hurt yuli absolutely would've been in there. Misread your post. Espada might have positioned him closer to the line. Don't know on that one.
And being honest it sure seemed like there was some luck in making that play. That ball ate him up but he smothered it and was able to make the play.
Alsways wonder if an ejected manager isn't still making the calls via phone or text. Espada has said things when dusty was out sick that he was doing what dusty wanted.
What's Bo Porter doing these days? Let's bring him back.
I believe our window stays open as long as we keep the culture. It is reported the Astros organization works hard too to bottom, not just the players but the developmental staff as well.
If we promote Espada and keep Altuve and Bregman, then I believe we maintain that culture. While none of the 3 are more important than the culture, I believe the 3 all solidify that culture.
Hearing interviews with JV and Carlos Correa late this season really brought that perspective into clarity for me.
I also want to see younger guys get their shot. If we don't have an absolute black hole at catcher, I believe it affords 150 AB's during regular season to be split among 3 younger players to ensure our continued pipeline.
If we promote Espada and keep Altuve and Bregman, then I believe we maintain that culture. While none of the 3 are more important than the culture, I believe the 3 all solidify that culture.
Hearing interviews with JV and Carlos Correa late this season really brought that perspective into clarity for me.
I also want to see younger guys get their shot. If we don't have an absolute black hole at catcher, I believe it affords 150 AB's during regular season to be split among 3 younger players to ensure our continued pipeline.
Assuming tomorrows press conference is about Dusty retiring or not coming back makes me think they don't want to waste any time finding a new manager.
In terms of Bregman Id like to see about extending him and using that extension to lower the 28.5mil he is owed this year.
Maybe give him 5 years starting immediately at 100, so that rather than making 28.5 this year it drops him down to 20 but it adds 4 more years moving his FA to 2028, at 34 years old. That also reaches his 10 years in the majors which guarantees him all of the retirement perks and he can then look at a veteran shorter contract here or elsewhere at that time.
Edit to add: Maybe do that same for Altuve. Ask him how much longer he would like to see about playing. 3-4 more years? Buy out and lower his 2024 number and extend it? He is currently due 26 mil in '24
Maybe give him 5 years starting immediately at 100, so that rather than making 28.5 this year it drops him down to 20 but it adds 4 more years moving his FA to 2028, at 34 years old. That also reaches his 10 years in the majors which guarantees him all of the retirement perks and he can then look at a veteran shorter contract here or elsewhere at that time.
Edit to add: Maybe do that same for Altuve. Ask him how much longer he would like to see about playing. 3-4 more years? Buy out and lower his 2024 number and extend it? He is currently due 26 mil in '24
I think you are going to have to do 5 additional years for Bregman. He is going to want a pay day this next contract so you aren't getting him for $20M per yearLonestar_Ag09 said:
In terms of Bregman Id like to see about extending him and using that extension to lower the 28.5mil he is owed this year.
Maybe give him 5 years starting immediately at 100, so that rather than making 28.5 this year it drops him down to 20 but it adds 4 more years moving his FA to 2028, at 34 years old. That also reaches his 10 years in the majors which guarantees him all of the retirement perks and he can then look at a veteran shorter contract here or elsewhere at that time.
Edit to add: Maybe do that same for Altuve. Ask him how much longer he would like to see about playing. 3-4 more years? Buy out and lower his 2024 number and extend it? He is currently due 26 mil in '24
Fightin' Texas Aggie and Sam Houston State Bearkat
yes, it's true that Bagwell did not get his buddy...but it was way too close for comfortAggieJ2002 said:
I remember last offseason, there was a lot of doom and gloom about who was going to end up being the Astros GM, including the fears that Baggy was going to get his buddy Brad Ausmus in that role.
Honestly, at 28/year I wonder if he's worth it, and I'm not one to want to just let people walk
He's 3rd in the AL in WAR for 3B. 4th overall.Bulldog73 said:
Honestly, at 28/year I wonder if he's worth it, and I'm not one to want to just let people walk
Jose Ramirez taking his team friendly deal probably hurts Bregman on his next negotiations. Ramirez took 7 years at $141M in 2022 around the same age as Bregman is now.
Fightin' Texas Aggie and Sam Houston State Bearkat
I just saw someone compare Jeff Bagwell to Jack Easterby and I've never heard a more perfect comparison in my life. Both assistants to the regional manager with way too much unmerited influence
Bulldog73 said:
Honestly, at 28/year I wonder if he's worth it, and I'm not one to want to just let people walk
I thought Bregman was regressing just off the eye test but a quick look at his overall season and he' still top 5 ops by position
Don't think we can afford to lose that if we want to keep pace with the production the Rags IF is getting
Kebryan Hayes Defensive WAR
Lonestar_Ag09 said:All I do is Nguyen said:I agree with a lot of what you're saying but I think we need to add a SP (ya'll know how I am about pitching, we can never have enough), maybe a BP innings eater, and if Pena can't figure his hitting out we may need a SS, or just plug Dubon in there.Lonestar_Ag09 said:
Y'all have a lot of very early, very big dreams for this off season. I'm not even trying to be pessimistic but y'all need to cool it or you're going to have a coronary when none of these big moves happen.
This team has existing SP depth, unless some is traded away we aren't signing a veteran.
This team has the most depth in the system at OF, this isn't disappearing and we aren't signing a corner OF for 10+ million or more and especially not two
This team brought up Salazar and gave him innings early over Diaz, they aren't spending money on a veteran catcher.
HB was in the rotation all year this year, with luAce out early and the question mark for McC he isn't going to now be moved to the pen.
This team doesn't build by signing a bunch of free agents what on Earth would make y'all think they would do that this year and in positions we have pieces to fill in.
We have
Verlander
Framber
CJ
Brown
Urquidy
France
Blanco
And something in McC
Half year or Garcia
Add to that the three young guns in the minors 15 mentioned. Unless we deal some pieces that's poor money spent
Verlander - Aging while I hope he's still lights out he could drop off.
Framber- head case who seemingly fell off after the ASB. Again I hope he returns to 2022 form
CJ - beside game 7 was solid all year
Brown - up and coming stud
Urquidy - could become a decent starter but out of the BP is where he is best it seems
France - I have high hopes he becomes a 2/3 starter. For a lot of the season he had the best ERA on the team
Blanco - relatively unknown for a full season
I know it looks like w shave plenty of talent but this year showed just how elite our pitching was in 2022. That's what wins championships and is like to see us upgrade where we can
No matter what!
Epstein didn't do, you know, the thing...
I'm the rare Astros/Cowboys/Spurs fan. We do exist
Epstein didn't do, you know, the thing...
I'm the rare Astros/Cowboys/Spurs fan. We do exist
Javiers got rocked several times during the regular season unless you are talking only playoffs
ALCS Managerial Report Card: Dusty Baker https://t.co/LL3dz4Bpox
— FanGraphs Baseball (@fangraphs) October 25, 2023
With no WBC and a stricter limit on his innings, hopefully Javier has a bounce back year next year. I don't think we should push him past 140 innings to keep him fresh for the post season.
I hope we can do a 6 man rotation next year:
JV
Framber
Javier
McCullers
France
Brown
If we end up getting a starting pitcher, then move France or Brown to the bullpen.
I hope we can do a 6 man rotation next year:
JV
Framber
Javier
McCullers
France
Brown
If we end up getting a starting pitcher, then move France or Brown to the bullpen.
Fightin' Texas Aggie and Sam Houston State Bearkat
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