I don't have a name in mind, but I do have characteristics in mind. I want a Manager who can combine Analytics both strategically and tactically and can get the players and front office to buy into the performance based playing time reward concept. I like new strategies like a six man rotation and more in season rest, but not too much and more tactically conceived. I liked Hinch, but I don't know how his presence would be received behind the scene. It's not the spoken, but the unspoken which gnaws at an organization. That is all, but almost impossible to achieve.
I don't want Ausmus, or any current Astros coaches as manager. Bring in fresh eyes to fix the problems that haunted our hitters at home. I still hope we choose 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. Read the article and you will understand what I mean. He sounds perfect. Plus, they did get to the World Series, win or lose. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/texas-rangers-offensive-coordinator-donnie-ecker-talks-hitting/
I wonder how he would react to Maldonado as a bench coach? I'm just trying to retain the best of the off field advantages Maldy brings while opening up C for Diaz.
I like that idea actually, but then what happens to Espada? I don't want him as manager, and if he's a candidate I don't see him getting fired for Maldy.
Is Managing in the Minors something that enhances his managerial resume? I honestly don't know his history before he became our bench coach.
Whoever takes the spot might as well consider it temporary. Altuve, "The Astros Legend" is gonna be our new coach when he retires.
if Crane lets Dana Brown pick who he wants, it will probably be someone from the Braves staff or Espada if he made an impression on Brown this year
It is pretty funny here when Bo Porter was once considered a better hire (fresh face, innovative, can relate to young players, not a re-tread) vs. Hinch. Seems like most in here would favor a Bo Porter like hire again.
I may have it wrong, but I am under the impression it was part of the transition from traditional to analytics based management. But you still need personnel skills to be a field manager. One thing many of the analytics guys lack is management experience. They tend to have skipped that step and stayed as coaches. I haven't heard anything about our minor league managers bring on a short list.
Interesting prospect. I actually had to look up his background and saw he was an Astros batting coach and minor league manager who oversaw the development of Altuve, Bregman, Correa, and Springer. I'd love to see Eckert as manager and him as the assistant manager. A team of a coach well-educated in biomechanics and analytics, with a reputation as a tech-and-data-savvy hitting nerd and an assistant with an Astros history of developing our biggest stars who have known him since they started. It would be a promotion for both of them.
I think the most important thing in hiring the manager is finding someone who is aligned well with Brown, it's amazing how much we accomplished the past couple of years with our Field Manager and GM not on the same page. It also needs to be someone who has a strong belief in analytics, that is one of the things that made Hinch so good. While any manager can be questioned on a daily basis, Hinch lineup decisions even when we didn't love them, were based on data. I'm not saying bring Hinch back, just saying someone with that strength I won't pretend to know who the right person would be. None of us on here really know. We don't know these guys and how they interact with players, staff and so forth....what I can say is I don't want another older "old school" based manager, gimme someone under 50 I kind of like what i've read about Rodney Linares, but I don't really care who it is, if Brown can work well with him and Crane is on board, then hire whoever that is. When Crane has hired one of theses positions without any input from MLB, his hiring record is outstanding
Chris Castellani, the only Astros supporter on Barstool Sports....on Brad Ausmus managing his Tigers back in 2017
Here are my criteria for hiring a manager: 1) Professional baseball playing experience -- doesn't have to be MLB - can be minors or international 2) Has the presence and gravitas to lead a group of players who have won a World Series and some players who are older and experienced 3) Willing to work with the front office and analytics department to optimize the lineup -- is flexible on this and not entrenched (anti-Dusty) 4) In most games, treats every out as important -- manages to win that day's game. (i.e. doesn't send Maldy to bat with runners on base in the mid-to-late innings) 5) Doesn't have a crazy ego (won't mix with Crane) 6) A competitor who seeks an edge over the opponent -- works hard, analyzes the data and the situation, and manages strategically 7) High IQ Speaking Spanish is a plus but has to be weighed against the points above. Used as a tiebreaker only. Coming from a winning culture is a big plus -- little habits associated with winners are hard to teach.
Chris is a really good dude and always been supportive of the Astros. I’ve spoken to him a handful of times. I absolutely do not want Ausmas and definitely trust his opinion.
