Astros New Manager and GM

"So barring a surprise, Crane’s choice seemingly comes down to Baker, Showalter and Ausmus."

 

Boooo

 

It was just speculation... Will be interesting to see if he's "in" with Crane after being one of the two writers that broke the original story that started us down this road.

 

I want Dusty Baker. Very much a leader of man type of guy and always gets results. Players love him. etc. etc. etc. All the intangibles stuff.

I think a lot of fans hate him for his handling of starting pitchers decades ago but that's decades ago. He has managed within your typical modern framework for pitchers in his recent years. Besides if we're talking about running pitchers into the ground Hinch has done quite a bit of that himself with Verlander and Cole. The Astros don't operate like the Dodgers anyways in terms of saving pitchers.

 

If they're not going to hire one of the youngsters - Espada/Veneble/Kotsay, which would be my preference, then Baker is easily the best of the old guys that have been interviewed.

 

Why isn't Ron Washington being mentioned at all? He has the analytics history from A's. Took the Rangers to the World Series twice. I know Dusty is the more recognizable name but he is very old school. Is the history on Washington at Arlington with the players bad?

Dusty seems to just be to secure the optics in the media.

 

The substance abuse issues with Wash had to be a red flag given what they’re coming off of. Can’t have next manager have any character flaws.

 

I can see a lot of reasons why they don't want a young guy. For a team like this it's much more important to not have a bad manager than it is to have a great one. Reduce downside, keep the clubhouse together and all the tactical decisions are made upstairs anyways these days

 

Well that is a good point. I figured 10 years of sobriety might help. Oddly Dusty Baker's comments on domestic violence will no doubt stir up Footer and her group again.

Maybe they can find a priest, oh wait, never mind.

 

Plus, when we play LA, Dusty can remind them that he's the only one on the field with a Dodgers World Series ring.

 

All true.

I'm more concerned with who Crane hires as a GM. Crane needs to step back and not turn into "one of those owners".

 

But he'd be that much closer to John Lucas?

 

I think we’re going with Baker.

 

Yuck.

 

Did he shift when he was managing the Nats?

 

Dusty Baker it is!
He’s no AJ Hinch and that may be a good thing

 

I have a feeling he'll probably only be here for a year