The Astros have received permission to interview Tampa Bay Rays general manager

that just doesn't make sense. the Astros can only go up from here. who *wouldn't* want to be credited for their turnaround??

 

Much depends on the perception that the owner, and the organization as whole, will do the things necessary that will allow for a turnaround in the first place.

Look at baseball in general and look at how many teams NEVER get turned around.

 

I'd hope that the price tag he paid for the team indicates a willingness to spend on payroll and that his criteria for the GM indicates a desire to build the team the right way. Plus, if you're unsure of the owner because he's largely unknown, wouldn't it be worth a meeting to get a feel for the guy?

 

The price tag he payed may indicate that. Or it may indicate that he has few resources left. As I understand things, its not just Cranes resources but those of his circle of investors that will determine how much there is to spend. I am betting the success/failure of the TV deal will have a substantial bearing on how much he has to spend in the coming seasons.

Your second point about meeting the owner makes sense. Which makes the turn downs even more worrisome.

 

Other than the pirates and royal I can't think of an other team that has sucked forever. It is pretty cyclical. I mean the rangers who have sucked for ever have made a couple world series.

 

I was thinking of a "turnaround" as more than simply reaching .500 That would include roughly half the league, not just the Royals and Pirates.

But yes, a handful of teams that have been in the rough, have made their way to the playoffs. A handful. The question becomes; will the Astros be one of them or not in say the next decade.

 

If you think it might take more than 4 years and you might not last that long, maybe people don't want to go to the Astros and get fired in 4 years? I have no idea - bizarre that people aren't even willing to interview, though.

 

Good point concerning contract length. Anyone considering coming here has only X years to pull it off. And considering where they are starting.....And considering the Crane wants to build the team through building up the farm.....(while a great long term plan, may take a while).

 

Andrew won't be coming here

 

I just have a feeling I'll be disappointed in whoever they hire (aside from Friedman). After the BS about moving to the AL, Crane could've drawn me back in with a great hire. But now we can't even get decent candidate to interview. I'm not seeing any signs for optimism. Crane's about to be 0-2 in his short tenure as owner and I'm soon to be apathetic again.

 

Does that mean you "know" something? Too bad, what is the deal with all of the turndowns? Has this franchise sank so low? Are the Stros untouchable and now doomed to permanent failure? Is this Ryan and Selig's doing? I am on record, for what that is worth, as being fundamentally opposed to the DH and this forced migration to the AL, but I am intrigued to see who Crane/ Postolos bring in to right the ship.

 

Crane is 1-1 with me. Gutting the existing managers (Wade and Tal) and wasting no time doing it gained my interest. The AL thing is frustrating, but I doubt Selig gave him a choice.

If their is some conspiracy out there concerning the turn downs, it will come out in time. Crane hasnt had time to cause this himself as the Astros owner, so its hard to tell where its coming from.

Maybe its as simple as the guys we want are all pretty happy where they are at. And with winning organizations. While asst GM to GM maybe a upgrade in title, coming to ths Stros in every other way is a downgrade.

 

I can tell you that the perception with the employees in the Astros organization i that he is willing to spend money, but not in the same way as McLane... he plans on spending a lot of money on the draft, international free agency and on the minors.

 

There are now limits on how much you can spend in the draft and international free agency.

 

Do these assistant GMs not know that the Red Sox job has already been filled? More likely than not it's bad teams that are looking for new GMs.

 

(LA Times)BillShaikin Bill Shaikin

 

What a craptastic offseason

 

a city that can't fill a stadium for a WS contender, and we can't even land an interview with their guy.

man, it hurts to see my Astros fall this low.

 

He has so much autonomy with the Rays and such a good working relationship with the owner...what exactly would be the reason for him to leave that team?

 

Well, the Rays are in a division with two competing teams who consistently have payrolls of $160 million or more. Meanwhile, Friedman is limited to around $40 million to keep his team together and compete with those two.

I can see why any GM would be afraid of the Astros job right now - it's basically like an expansion team - but I can think of plenty of reasons for him to leave Tampa. He's done a remarkable job given those obstacles, but if I were in his shoes, at some point I'd want a realistic shot to contend on an annual basis.