EastCoastAgNc said:

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Wabs said:

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I may have missed it, but did we ever interview Maldy? I'd rather have him than Pujols or Ureta.

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He signed on with Detroit about a month ago

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I know, but we could offer a promotion.

Pujols set to interview for the manager role

Moe Jzyslak said:

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Pujols set to interview for the manager role

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https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7753889/2026/11/04/albert-pujols-astros-manager-interview/

Thanks for posting the link. I was driving and wanted to be first

My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

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Meh. We won the series. It is an absolute tank. The more I watch baseball -- the more I appreciate it. Albert is a different breed. The guy was like Yordan playing 1B -- but better.

For reference, the one off Lidge went 455. The one Yordan hit in WS 2022 was 450.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if we'd lost that series.

What do we think about Ensberg? I liked him as a player but know nothing of him as a manager

Source: the Astros will interview former Astros 3B Morgan Ensberg for their vacant managerial opening later this week. He is a former college teammate of GM Randy Flores and has spent the last three seasons managing the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Rays.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 4, 2026

agproducer said:

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bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

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Meh. We won the series. It is an absolute tank. The more I watch baseball -- the more I appreciate it. Albert is a different breed. The guy was like Yordan playing 1B -- but better.

For reference, the one off Lidge went 455. The one Yordan hit in WS 2022 was 450.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if we'd lost that series.

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I think it was less about who won the series and more about the fact that he broke Lidge. Lidge was never quite the same after that shot.

W said:

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and no one is going to touch him

by the way...Walker had -0.4 dWAR -- not a typo

it must have been a very weak year around the league at first base

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That is just because 1B has a huge negative adjustment. It's a great feat to be positive dWAR and play only 1B.

Here is how the more advanced stats graded out for Walker.
DRS: 3 (3rd behind Vladdy-10 and Pasquantino-7)
OAA: 3 (2nd behind Vladdy-4)
FRV: 7 (1st)

• +2 Range
• +3 Inf DP
• +2 Receiving

Walker is arguably the best defensive 1B of the last decade. He and Matt Olson are tied at 62 Fielding Run Values since 2017. However, Walker did it in over 3,000 fewer innings.

txags92 said:

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agproducer said:

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bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

---

Meh. We won the series. It is an absolute tank. The more I watch baseball -- the more I appreciate it. Albert is a different breed. The guy was like Yordan playing 1B -- but better.

For reference, the one off Lidge went 455. The one Yordan hit in WS 2022 was 450.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if we'd lost that series.

---

I think it was less about who won the series and more about the fact that he broke Lidge. Lidge was never quite the same after that shot.

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Never the same as an Astro. He was as good or better as a Philly in a few years.

2008 Lidge - 1.95 ERA, 41 Saves, 0 Blown

RED AG 98 said:

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What do we think about Ensberg? I liked him as a player but know nothing of him as a manager

Source: the Astros will interview former Astros 3B Morgan Ensberg for their vacant managerial opening later this week. He is a former college teammate of GM Randy Flores and has spent the last three seasons managing the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Rays.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 4, 2026

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I don't know much about his managerial career in the minors, but people say great things about him.

My personal pecking order based on what we know:

Pujols
Urueta
Ensberg
Ausmus

I am surprised we haven't heard about Yadi getting a look yet. To me he would be intriguing in the same mold as Maldy: (1) high IQ catcher that can relate to pitchers and position players, (2) leader, (3) Latino, (4) fiery/tough

RED AG 98 said:

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What do we think about Ensberg? I liked him as a player but know nothing of him as a manager

Source: the Astros will interview former Astros 3B Morgan Ensberg for their vacant managerial opening later this week. He is a former college teammate of GM Randy Flores and has spent the last three seasons managing the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Rays.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 4, 2026

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Who is next? Bagwell's tennis coach?

txags92 said:

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agproducer said:

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bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

---

Meh. We won the series. It is an absolute tank. The more I watch baseball -- the more I appreciate it. Albert is a different breed. The guy was like Yordan playing 1B -- but better.

For reference, the one off Lidge went 455. The one Yordan hit in WS 2022 was 450.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if we'd lost that series.

---

I think it was less about who won the series and more about the fact that he broke Lidge. Lidge was never quite the same after that shot.

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And that loss screwed up our pitching rotation for the World Series...

txags92 said:

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agproducer said:

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bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

---

Meh. We won the series. It is an absolute tank. The more I watch baseball -- the more I appreciate it. Albert is a different breed. The guy was like Yordan playing 1B -- but better.

For reference, the one off Lidge went 455. The one Yordan hit in WS 2022 was 450.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if we'd lost that series.

---

I think it was less about who won the series and more about the fact that he broke Lidge. Lidge was never quite the same after that shot.

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He was never the same in Houston -- but found it again in Philly.

ruxin98 said:

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txags92 said:

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agproducer said:

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bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

---

Meh. We won the series. It is an absolute tank. The more I watch baseball -- the more I appreciate it. Albert is a different breed. The guy was like Yordan playing 1B -- but better.

For reference, the one off Lidge went 455. The one Yordan hit in WS 2022 was 450.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if we'd lost that series.

---

I think it was less about who won the series and more about the fact that he broke Lidge. Lidge was never quite the same after that shot.

---

And that loss screwed up our pitching rotation for the World Series...

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I don't think that screwed up the total lack of hitting in that WS.

Ensberg is pretty well thought of in the baseball community according to Jeremy Booth. On his podcast weeks ago he was touting Flores as the best candidate (ahead of Klein). He's saying similar things about Ensberg on his latest pod (rising star, etc, etc). FWIW....

Mathguy64 said:

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ruxin98 said:

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txags92 said:

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agproducer said:

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bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

---

Meh. We won the series. It is an absolute tank. The more I watch baseball -- the more I appreciate it. Albert is a different breed. The guy was like Yordan playing 1B -- but better.

For reference, the one off Lidge went 455. The one Yordan hit in WS 2022 was 450.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if we'd lost that series.

---

I think it was less about who won the series and more about the fact that he broke Lidge. Lidge was never quite the same after that shot.

---

And that loss screwed up our pitching rotation for the World Series...

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I don't think that screwed up the total lack of hitting in that WS.

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We didn't hit all year that year. Would have been nice to start Roy O in game 1 instead of having to save our ass in game 6 of the NLCS.

MaxPower said:

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RED AG 98 said:

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What do we think about Ensberg? I liked him as a player but know nothing of him as a manager

Source: the Astros will interview former Astros 3B Morgan Ensberg for their vacant managerial opening later this week. He is a former college teammate of GM Randy Flores and has spent the last three seasons managing the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Rays.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 4, 2026

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Who is next? Bagwell's tennis coach?

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Ensberg has some managerial chops. He's more than qualified. Qualified enough to manage in the minors under Luhnow.


Coaching and Management Career

Astros Organization: Worked in various minor league development and coaching roles within the Houston Astros system, managing the Tri-City ValleyCats (2017) and Buies Creek Astros (2018), where he was named the Carolina League Best Managerial Prospect.

Tampa Bay Rays Organization: Served as manager of the Montgomery Biscuits (Double-A), earning Southern League Manager of the Year honors in 2019, before becoming manager of the Triple-A Durham Bulls.

SpaceCityAg05 said:

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My personal pecking order based on what we know:

Pujols
Urueta
Ensberg

84 year old Hal Lanier
Bo Porter at any age
Bill Virdon's ghost
…
…
…
Ausmus

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FIFY

Farmer1906 said:

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txags92 said:

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agproducer said:

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bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

---

Meh. We won the series. It is an absolute tank. The more I watch baseball -- the more I appreciate it. Albert is a different breed. The guy was like Yordan playing 1B -- but better.

For reference, the one off Lidge went 455. The one Yordan hit in WS 2022 was 450.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if we'd lost that series.

---

I think it was less about who won the series and more about the fact that he broke Lidge. Lidge was never quite the same after that shot.

---

Never the same as an Astro. He was as good or better as a Philly in a few years.

2008 Lidge - 1.95 ERA, 41 Saves, 0 Blown

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True...but he was dead to me after failing to make it back during his time as an Astro.

bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

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7th grade?

Charley checks calendar, does math, thinks about his own age.

I hate you.

Mathguy64 said:

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ruxin98 said:

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txags92 said:

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agproducer said:

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bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

---

Meh. We won the series. It is an absolute tank. The more I watch baseball -- the more I appreciate it. Albert is a different breed. The guy was like Yordan playing 1B -- but better.

For reference, the one off Lidge went 455. The one Yordan hit in WS 2022 was 450.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if we'd lost that series.

---

I think it was less about who won the series and more about the fact that he broke Lidge. Lidge was never quite the same after that shot.

---

And that loss screwed up our pitching rotation for the World Series...

---

I don't think that screwed up the total lack of hitting in that WS.

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Brandon Backe pitched his butt off, to no avail.

Ag_07 said:

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MaxPower said:

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RED AG 98 said:

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What do we think about Ensberg? I liked him as a player but know nothing of him as a manager

Source: the Astros will interview former Astros 3B Morgan Ensberg for their vacant managerial opening later this week. He is a former college teammate of GM Randy Flores and has spent the last three seasons managing the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Rays.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 4, 2026

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Who is next? Bagwell's tennis coach?

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Ensberg has some managerial chops. He's more than qualified. Qualified enough to manage in the minors under Luhnow.


Coaching and Management Career

Astros Organization: Worked in various minor league development and coaching roles within the Houston Astros system, managing the Tri-City ValleyCats (2017) and Buies Creek Astros (2018), where he was named the Carolina League Best Managerial Prospect.

Tampa Bay Rays Organization: Served as manager of the Montgomery Biscuits (Double-A), earning Southern League Manager of the Year honors in 2019, before becoming manager of the Triple-A Durham Bulls.

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And along with Barry Bonds, the only players in MLB history with more than 100 walks and few hits than walks in the same season. He was definitely disciplined at the plate. No idea what analytics has done to him though.

Hub `93 said:

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Mathguy64 said:

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ruxin98 said:

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txags92 said:

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agproducer said:

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bodaciousbood14 said:

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My 7th grade self has still not forgiven Pujols for the homerun off Lidge in '05...I don't even care that we ended up winning the NLCS

---

Meh. We won the series. It is an absolute tank. The more I watch baseball -- the more I appreciate it. Albert is a different breed. The guy was like Yordan playing 1B -- but better.

For reference, the one off Lidge went 455. The one Yordan hit in WS 2022 was 450.

I'm sure I'd feel differently if we'd lost that series.

---

I think it was less about who won the series and more about the fact that he broke Lidge. Lidge was never quite the same after that shot.

---

And that loss screwed up our pitching rotation for the World Series...

---

I don't think that screwed up the total lack of hitting in that WS.

---

Brandon Backe pitched his butt off, to no avail.

---

I'm not saying we would have won the WS in '05 if not for that Pujols HR, but it definitely killed the vibe and enthusiasm heading into that series. You could feel it at the time if you lived in Houston. I think we would have at least won a couple of games if not for that. Just my opinion.

Why Pujols? What makes him the candidate at the top of your list?

Marvin said:

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AggieEP said:

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You are wrong in every sense here.

The Dodgers write a 2 million dollar check and a 44 million dollar check each year as part of his contract. 2 million straight to Ohtani and 44 million straight to an escrow account.

It is a 10 year 460 million dollar contract.

The 440 million they put into escrow grows naturally to 680 and is paid to Ohtani in the future via installments when he's likely not in California for tax purposes.

Any team could do this. There is nothing sinister here.

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What a team "can" do and what they are feasibly able to do are not the same. The assumption is that the Dodgers will be paying former players la Bobby Bonilla- but for a hell of a lot more cash. Most teams cannot field a competitive team through free agency while also paying off deferred contracts- especially if it includes a double dip in current seasons.

So, yes, the big market teams have an advantage. Tampa and Cincinnati cannot sign Ohtani, Snell, Tucker, Betts, Freeman, Glasgow, Diaz, and Skubal no matter how deferred the money is. That is an undisputed fact.

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I don't quite understand how so many people on here don't understand how this works. I would assume that at least MathGuy understands this.

Any team can do this, full stop. And it's not sinister in any way.

Ohtani signed a 10 year 460 million dollar contract in today's dollars with 440 million deferred. There is no 700 million in today's dollars.

The Dodgers are required to fully fund the 46 million per year and deposit 44 million into an escrow account (2 million direct to Ohtani).

So assuming the Dodgers fufill their end of the contract, their commitment in today dollars is exactly 10 years and 460 million dollars. And the CBT taxes them at a value of 46 million per year.

So the part that seems to be confusing everyone here is "where the extra 240 million dollars is coming from." Well that is the easiest part, starting in year 11, the Dodgers begin making withdrawals from the escrow account that was funded with 440 million and has been growing at 5% (more or less depending on benchmark performance) since the first deposit and eventually pay Ohtani the full value. The "cost" to the Dodgers was 460 million even though they "pay" 700 million because the extra 240 million is the natural growth of the deposits while in escrow, not some extra cash reserves the Dodgers had to come up with.

From a player perspective it's a question of if it is more advantageous to get paid in today's dollars or 2036 dollars. I imagine the answer to that question depends heavily on local tax codes and the value of endorsement deals that can enable you to opt to defer. From the team perspective the decision to defer is not some kind of franchise altering move. It's a question of direct payments to a player versus direct deposits into an escrow. Ignorant fans have turned this into a bogeyman to justify their Dodgers hate. There is no "double dipping" and any franchise could defer money. It makes very little difference.


If you REALLY want to get upset about a contract structure designed to cheat the CBT you should look at Xander Boegarts and Aaron Judge's contracts which were both designed to be overly long (in years) and thus change the denominator that the total value is divided by and reduce the CBT tax assessment significantly.

scd88 said:

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Why Pujols? What makes him the candidate at the top of your list?

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He would automatically command respect and absolutely own that locker room.

He has a high baseball IQ that he refined by playing at a HOF level on multiple championship caliber teams.

He was known as 'The Machine' for his ridiculous consistency and approach. I would expect that to carry over to his managerial style.

He's got managerial and FO experience that includes a close relationship to the new GM.

He's incredibly likeable and would relate to the Latin players easily.

Nothing is slam dunk but he checks A LOT of boxes.

AggieEP said:

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Marvin said:

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AggieEP said:

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You are wrong in every sense here.

The Dodgers write a 2 million dollar check and a 44 million dollar check each year as part of his contract. 2 million straight to Ohtani and 44 million straight to an escrow account.

It is a 10 year 460 million dollar contract.

The 440 million they put into escrow grows naturally to 680 and is paid to Ohtani in the future via installments when he's likely not in California for tax purposes.

Any team could do this. There is nothing sinister here.

---

What a team "can" do and what they are feasibly able to do are not the same. The assumption is that the Dodgers will be paying former players la Bobby Bonilla- but for a hell of a lot more cash. Most teams cannot field a competitive team through free agency while also paying off deferred contracts- especially if it includes a double dip in current seasons.

So, yes, the big market teams have an advantage. Tampa and Cincinnati cannot sign Ohtani, Snell, Tucker, Betts, Freeman, Glasgow, Diaz, and Skubal no matter how deferred the money is. That is an undisputed fact.

---

I don't quite understand how so many people on here don't understand how this works. I would assume that at least MathGuy understands this.

Any team can do this, full stop. And it's not sinister in any way.

Ohtani signed a 10 year 460 million dollar contract in today's dollars with 440 million deferred. There is no 700 million in today's dollars.

The Dodgers are required to fully fund the 46 million per year and deposit 44 million into an escrow account (2 million direct to Ohtani).

So assuming the Dodgers fufill their end of the contract, their commitment in today dollars is exactly 10 years and 460 million dollars. And the CBT taxes them at a value of 46 million per year.

So the part that seems to be confusing everyone here is "where the extra 240 million dollars is coming from." Well that is the easiest part, starting in year 11, the Dodgers begin making withdrawals from the escrow account that was funded with 440 million and has been growing at 5% (more or less depending on benchmark performance) since the first deposit and eventually pay Ohtani the full value. The "cost" to the Dodgers was 460 million even though they "pay" 700 million because the extra 240 million is the natural growth of the deposits while in escrow, not some extra cash reserves the Dodgers had to come up with.

From a player perspective it's a question of if it is more advantageous to get paid in today's dollars or 2036 dollars. I imagine the answer to that question depends heavily on local tax codes and the value of endorsement deals that can enable you to opt to defer. From the team perspective the decision to defer is not some kind of franchise altering move. It's a question of direct payments to a player versus direct deposits into an escrow. Ignorant fans have turned this into a bogeyman to justify their Dodgers hate. There is no "double dipping" and any franchise could defer money. It makes very little difference.


If you REALLY want to get upset about a contract structure designed to cheat the CBT you should look at Xander Boegarts and Aaron Judge's contracts which were both designed to be overly long (in years) and thus change the denominator that the total value is divided by and reduce the CBT tax assessment significantly.

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And I am saying I don't care if the Dodgers pay him $460 million now into an account and then pull interest from account to pay the rest later or if they pay him $700 million on day one. It is a contract for him to play for 10 years and the total he will receive from the Dodger's organization for that contract is $700 million. Therefore, the AAV should be $70 million per year. Period, end of story. The rest is just creative monkeying with salary to minimize taxes. He is being paid a total of $700 million dollars to play for them and they should pay luxury tax on all of it.

And yeah, anybody can do it. If you happen to have a half billion dollars in spare cash laying around that you can afford to tie up in escrow for a decade. There are maybe 5 franchises that could do a contract like Ohtani's. There are probably only 3 that could do 3 or more. And only the Dodgers can afford to do all of the ones they have done and a big part of that is that they don't have to share their tv money the same as all of the other teams and their owner committed fraud to maximize that tv contract.

Here's what ChatGPT says. Makes even a better case

1. Instant clubhouse credibility
Pujols has the kind of rsum that very few managers can match:
Three-time MVP.
Two-time World Series champion.
11-time All-Star.
One of the most respected hitters of his generation. For a team with established stars like Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, and Carlos Correa, having a manager who has experienced the highest levels of competition could carry considerable weight.

2. Experience managing personalities and pressure
Pujols spent more than two decades playing in major-league clubhouses. He understands the expectations of superstar players, the pressures of postseason baseball, and the importance of maintaining accountability.

3. A potentially strong offensive mind
His understanding of hitting, approach, preparation, and adjustments could be particularly valuable for an Astros team that has traditionally built its identity around offensive production.

4. A fresh voice
Houston has had considerable continuity in its baseball leadership. Pujols could bring a different personality and philosophy without necessarily abandoning the organization's analytical approach.

5. He has already demonstrated some managerial success
This is probably the most important development in his candidacy.
Pujols isn't coming directly out of retirement and asking for a major-league job:
Led Leones del Escogido to the Dominican winter league championship and Caribbean Series title in 2025.
Managed the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, reaching the semifinals.
Previously interviewed for the Angels and Padres managerial openings.
Those experiences give him some actual managerial credentials, even if they aren't MLB experience.

I respect Pujols and I think he would be a great hire. Too good to be true, almost. Based upon sports 2026, it won't happen as this year won't allow for happiness.

I'd also have to walk back a lot of bad things I've said about....

Also, though inexperienced, I don't take him to be just a yes man. He'd also likely find a balance between full blown following the numbers and a feel for the game.

Do you also think people should be taxed on unrealized capital gains?

You really think that even though the Dodgers are actually paying 46 million per year to Ohtani they should be taxed on 70 million today because of its hypothetical unrealized future value?

AggieEP said:

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Do you also think people should be taxed on unrealized capital gains?

You really think that even though the Dodgers are actually paying 46 million per year to Ohtani they should be taxed on 70 million today because of its hypothetical unrealized future value?

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It is not a hypothetical unrealized value, it is a value guaranteed in his contract. He is going to play 10 years for them, and in return he will be paid a total of $700 million dollars, not $460 million. When and how they pay it does not matter to me.

Unrealized capital gains are just that, unrealized and are not guaranteed. They are worth nothing to you until you make the sale. Ohtani's contract stipulates that he will be paid $700 million and it is 100% guaranteed.

Man 55 new posts, I got excited thinking we hired somebody