My choice is the bench coach and offensive coordinator of the Rangers. Ecker, 37, is well-educated in biomechanics and analytics, and has a reputation as a tech-and-data-savvy hitting nerd. I absolutely love what he says in this article about his coaching philosophy, focus, training, and hitting... https://blogs.fangraphs.com/texas-rangers-offensive-coordinator-donnie-ecker-talks-hitting/
Boston literally re-hired the rogue video operator employee... and rogue manager... and despite everyone saying no way Verlander comes back after the Astros didn't offer a competitive contract, see where he is now. In any case, don't want Cora or Beltran.
It’s odd to me that it’s Dusty’s call to come back. From the limited view fans have it’s obvious changes should be considered. Not sure what Crane is seeing. From my limited view, we’ve replaced Luhnow, Click, Hinch and Storm with Dusty, Bagwell, and Jackson. I’m not convinced yet that Dana is in charge. Hope I’m wrong
Crane has always had final say, and he’s the guy that hired Luhnow and Click, as well as Hinch and Baker. All four of those were very good hires.
I don't know the actual dynamics, but I've always seen Bagwell as more of a secretary for Crane than a consigliere. Bagwell probably would like to be more than that . . . but Abreu was never 100% Bagwell.
https://www.si.com/mlb/astros/news/astros-manager-dusty-baker-still-evaluating-his-future-brad9 Hopefully this means he wants to do something else in baseball.
Baker's contract will expire at the end of this season, so it would be up to the organization to bring him back. I dont see anything there that states its up to Baker whether he comes back to the Astros. It merely says he hasnt made up his mind whether to retire or not. And not retiring doesnt mean he has a job waiting for him at the Astros.
it isn't his call. It just creates this illusion so that he can ride off gracefully rather than an ugly divorce. that article is nothing new that we don't already know and regurgitated statements
Verlander was money, there was nothing else. He left on good terms. Boston guy was a scapegoat. Jim Crane is not the same as the Red Sox’s owners. Plus, the Astros’ sign stealing much more elaborate. The reason Crane was able to keep the trophy was did not make a stink over the league-wide sign stealing. Manford and Crane made a deal and we don’t know everything that was in that deal.
