I'm willing to give Flores the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it was his full decision.
I think he certainly made a controversial decision, however, and should have known it. The optics look bad if that's the case.
Which is OK - if he truly feels Ausmus is the right candidate and it was his decision. I guess we'll find out on Friday about it. I'd really like to know the reasoning why Ausmus couldn't find a job anywhere until there was an opening available with his best buddy's hands on the wheel. Nothing gives me any confidence about his management capabilities based on his track record, so what did Flores actually see?
Ausmus has always seemed extremely arrogant and not a particularly brilliant or memorable manager. Just sort of there, always scowling at something, but not in a good way where you can tell he's passionate about the team. More like he's annoyed at what's happening. Did not seem to be a particularly great "player manager" like Dusty.....or highly strategic (though flawed at times) with AJ Hinch's style. It seems to me like there's a reason he could not get another manager job.
As an Astros fan, I will also support Ausmus and hope he has success. Not much else to really do about it at this point as a fan. Disappointing, but still cheer them on anyways.
