The off season signings were all planned in advance. Bagwell likely just gave his opinion and stamp of approval.
I don’t know if using Yuli is making your point. The 2022 Astros won 106 games with Yuli as the everyday first baseman. They then went 11-2 to win the WS. He also didn’t just wake up. He hit .347 in the playoffs with something like a .870 OPS. I think I agree with your point that we need a real GM this off-season and not Crane/Bagwell, but I don’t think having a 1B who fell off a cliff really hurt the team that much.
I agree with you on most, but if you watched the Astros every game last season, the story was constantly, "What's wrong with Yuli Gurriel?" Astros were looking into trading or replacing Yuli for a reason. Josh Bell, Jose Abreu and others were being mentioned. https://www.si.com/mlb/astros/opinions/houston-astros-season-review-yuli-gurriel But yes, we can't fire Bagwell....he was never hired
"Everyone gets to play." Brantley available... Dubon available... and it is Singleton placed into high leverage sits...
How many wins did we leave on the table because of the following, and which is the most egregious: Players get one more extra day off after being declared healthy Starting pitchers will get every opportunity to qualify for the win regardless of 3rd time through the order or pitch counts. "Everyone gets to play on my team." Starters will get a day off on a game day before or after an idle day. Abreu needs to play through his issues because of the 'back of the baseball card.' Rookie catchers shouldn't catch rookie pitchers. Maldonado can "straighten out" the pitchers. Chas is not a "big boy" and is interchangeable with Meyers, Julks, and Dubon Lefties shouldn't bat back-to-back Need a lefty in the bullpen to pitch against lefties. Speed is more important than OBP at the top of the lineup
From that list 2-3. Add in continuing to use Montero or another **** reliever in a winnable game situation 5-6
Weiss or Young would be bad choices imho. Ausmus would be a terrible hire. I would be ok with Espada. Can’t think of a slam dunk hire.
Just need a younger more malleable guy who can get on the same page as the FO. Dozens of guys would fit that bill. Would appreciate if we don't hire another celebrity.
He should have retired after the WS victory. This season, he has been a disaster. I seriously blame him for the Astro's current predicament. I know, he doesn't hit, field, or pitch, but his lineup decisions have killed the spirit of the players.
Yep. It isn’t hard. Anyone in their late 30’s or early 40’s that understands numbers, is collaborative and has been around the game at the major league level. That’s not exactly a needle in the haystack. Not necessary but positive would be ability to speak Spanish.
Great list. Additions Dusty's personal vendetta against Chas McCormick. Sitting Yainer Diaz way too often, a player who should have been ROY and a silver slugger at C. Too much Julks for too long
