Jeff Luhnow hired as General Manager of the Houston Astros

[rquoter]DALLAS – In their effort to bring the first championship in club history to Houston, the Astros will turn to a reigning champion, hiring Jeff Luhnow of the Cardinals to be general manager.

The group of owner Jim Crane and CEO George Postolos made the announcement late Wednesday night at the winter meetings, ending a 10-day search following the firing of Ed Wade.

Luhnow served as St. Louis’ vice president of player procurement, an amateur scouting role that fit the profile of what the Astros sought heading into their search.

In replacing Wade, Luhnow will be tasked with continuing the rebuilding of the farm system that Wade began by trading All-Stars Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence. The Astros’ search focused entirely on candidates who boasted strong backgrounds in scouting and player development.

Luhnow had been charged with the Cardinals’ scouting and player development before those departments split within the organization.[/rquoter]

 

someone tell me how i should feel about this.

 

Of the remaining available competitors, I'm satisfied with him being hired.

 

Indifferent until given a reason to feel otherwise.

 

Very happy...the guy is great at everything the Stros suck at right now.

Talked to an NBC sports guy tonight who covers the Cards and he said this was a better hire than Friedman would have been.

Here is a cool Q and A...

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7216

 

Will he be the Astros version of Morey?

 

Yes...he is basically the lovechild of Morey and Billy Beane.

 

I'm happy with the hire. Jeff Luhnow won't create the buzz that Andrew Friedman would have, but he is more than qualified and his background is in an area where the Astros need help.

 

Does this mean we will sign no free agents, and wait three years for the farm system to develop? That's what I've suspected Crane will do all along. While it's smart for money and business, it's a bad first reputation.

 

Sounds like a good hire to me. Time will tell. Go 'stros!

 

alysonfooter
Astros confirming Jeff Luhnow hired as general manager of the Houston Astros. Formal announcement forthcoming pending Nolan Ryan's approval.

that was the real tweet.

 

Right direction. How well he can execute the farm-building will remain to be seen. Reserve judgement on Luhnow until he does or doesn't produce young starts. Reserve judgement on Crane until he shows he will spend on the major league level once the farm churns out enough guys.

 

If only he could hit .300+ and 30hrs.

DD

 

He won't sign any big name free agents, minus a few bargain bin guys, this season but it won't last three seasons. The farm team is middle of the pack as is and with more impact talent coming in from trading away Wandy, Myers and Lee along with the draft coming up today, the Stros should continue to see the system move up. Still have the #1 pick this season and a great shot at the #1 pick next season in the amateur draft.

I'm sure he'll give it until next season to evaluate the organization before deciding to bring in top FAgents but Luhnow will have essential a clean slate on big market team, so there will be money to spend soon.

One thing I am really happy about from reading about Luhnow is that he likes to scout internationally, especially Latin America. You could see the Stros sign 1 or 2 impact international FAgents this season to help the farm, something like what the Rangers do annually.

 

Will the Cardinals miss him?

If so, then I'm good.

 

good read...I sensed a little attitude/swagger in that write-up. will be interested to see how he handles the media.

 

Hopefully he will be a solid hire. Any rookie GM comes with risks, but at least there is the potential for reward.

 

He has the right pedigree. I don't like that the Astros had to go with their 7th choice, but they still hired the right kind of guy. (It sounds like we're evaluating a draft pick instead of a GM hire.)

 

Why is it a bad thing? It's what's needed to get this club back on the path of consistent success.

Sounds like a good hire.

I guess we should all start researching the Cards minor leaguers as were likely to see some of the end up in the Astros system.