bearkatag15 said:
In! I think we are a 100+ win team next year with a good bullpen and left field addition. Also an upgrade at manager.
I'm thinking 92-95 wins still. We have had tough luck with injuries the past few years (minus most of 2022)
bearkatag15 said:
In! I think we are a 100+ win team next year with a good bullpen and left field addition. Also an upgrade at manager.
Thats a wet dream wish listWabs said:
My priorities (some of which posted on the season thread).
1. Left Fielder (Lourdes Gurriel?)
2. Bullpen (Neris and Hader)
3. Mid-level SP (Sonny Gray type)
4. Backup catcher (Diaz starts, see ya Maldy)
5. Lock up Altuve and Bregman
Wabs said:
https://fansided.com/posts/mlb-insider-3-dusty-baker-replacements-houston-astros-manager-01hdhh03axd4?a_aid=36534&fbclid=IwAR3KV9J_tm2S8uJLNn6w-j0fDpLz90lMVpeSTWe0-Um_IkT1FGleODQhc6Y
3 Dusty replacements: Espada, Ron Washington, some bench coach from Seattle.
I wouldn't hate it. Not sure how much catcher is left in him, but he'd be a nice DH/bench bat. He's going to be relatively cheap too (3/30 M spotrac projection). It would be more of a nice to have than a need. We hit left-handed pitching fairly well as is with our core plus McCormick, Dubon, & Pena all good #s vs LHP.Wabs said:
I know it may be "too soon", but what about Mitch Garver as a backup catcher and DH? Too expensive for us for that role?
I kind of like this resume.Ag_07 said:
Some good names on this list of potential managerial candidates
https://climbingtalshill.com/posts/5-potential-replacements-for-dusty-baker-as-astros-manager-01hdgvhp7vv0
Counsel
DeRosa
AJ's bench coach
Pirates bench coach
Quote:
George Lombard
George Lombard may not be a name that is incredibly familiar to Astros fans, but the man he has worked under for three years sure is.
George Lombard has been the bench coach for the Detroit Tigers since 2021, working under the Astros legend A.J. Hinch. Before becoming the Tigers bench coach, he spent three years as the Dodgers first base coach.
Lombard does have some experience as a manager in the minor leagues. In fact, Lombard managed the Red Sox Golf Coast League team in 2011, the first professional team Betts ever played for.
Lombard also has experience in the front office. He was promoted from Gulf Coast League manager to minor league outfield/base running coordinator in Boston, before filling the same role in Atlanta. He was also the Braves minor league field coordinator.
With a blend of coaching and front office experience, Lombard would bring a blend of on field expertise and an analytical mindset. He's cut his teeth in winning franchises in Boston, Los Angeles and Atlanta, and has spent three years under a World Series winning manager in A.J. Hinch.
Lombard will be hired somewhere this offseason. Houston would be a good landing spot.
I'm hearing that the Astros will be "fixing" the batter's eye even more during this offseason at Minute Maid Park.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) October 24, 2023
I am not sure to what degree, but it seems that it will be addressed.
What if any is his crossover with Dana...that could be an interesting tie in that wasnt mentioned..maybe because there wasnt any cross over at the BravesFarmer1906 said:I kind of like this resume.Ag_07 said:
Some good names on this list of potential managerial candidates
https://climbingtalshill.com/posts/5-potential-replacements-for-dusty-baker-as-astros-manager-01hdgvhp7vv0
Counsel
DeRosa
AJ's bench coach
Pirates bench coachQuote:
George Lombard
George Lombard may not be a name that is incredibly familiar to Astros fans, but the man he has worked under for three years sure is.
George Lombard has been the bench coach for the Detroit Tigers since 2021, working under the Astros legend A.J. Hinch. Before becoming the Tigers bench coach, he spent three years as the Dodgers first base coach.
Lombard does have some experience as a manager in the minor leagues. In fact, Lombard managed the Red Sox Golf Coast League team in 2011, the first professional team Betts ever played for.
Lombard also has experience in the front office. He was promoted from Gulf Coast League manager to minor league outfield/base running coordinator in Boston, before filling the same role in Atlanta. He was also the Braves minor league field coordinator.
With a blend of coaching and front office experience, Lombard would bring a blend of on field expertise and an analytical mindset. He's cut his teeth in winning franchises in Boston, Los Angeles and Atlanta, and has spent three years under a World Series winning manager in A.J. Hinch.
Lombard will be hired somewhere this offseason. Houston would be a good landing spot.
Wabs said:
Espada is my #1 choice. I assume he's respected in the dugout. Maybe 2015 knows more about that than I would.
Lonestar_Ag09 said:
So we're fine with the current assistant coach to Hinch…but not his former Assistant coach?
I just said if the goal is new, fresh blood Espada wouldn't fit that bill.
Espada was the coach in waiting before dusty arrived so I don't believe he's just a leftover of the Baker era
I don't think this is accurate. I don't recall ever reading or hearing this. If he was why didn't he get the job when Hinch was canned?
Plus, at the time, Espada was too close to the "cheating regime" and AJ. Dusty was the right guy at the time - respected league-wide and not connected in any way to the scandal.Lonestar_Ag09 said:
I vividly remember hearing he was the next coach after Hinch and discussions of hiring him when Hinch was fired. The consensus however was don't throw a brand new manager into that so they hired dusty to weather the storm and then we kept resigning him.
W said:
I would lean toward cleaning house and letting Dana bring in his own manager and coaching staff
gotta have the GM and the manager on the same page in 2024
not a potential repeat of the 2023 dysfunction