Crane knows he's not going to spend enough money to overcome all the dead money and the bad contracts on the roster. So why pay 2 managers next season when Espada is still under contract and he can just not resign him after next season.
Yeah, I’m not stumping for anybody… but this concept/idea that a former player needs to “learn” how to be a manager via becoming a bench coach/assistant coach is completely non-existent in MLB (unlike some other sports… namely just football). These guys have been playing baseball their entire lives. They’ve been in dugouts/clubhouses their entire lives. They either become clubhouse leaders at some point or develop the ability to connect with teammates (which should be pre-requisites to players who have managerial aspirations). They’ve heard all the speeches, they’ve witnessed all the game prep, they should know what works and what may need revamping based on their experience on teams that either won or didn’t. A lot of former catchers become managers because of the extra work they have to put in on both sides… some more than others.
I don't trust Maldy not to sabotage the team after what he did when the Astros were shopping for a catcher. Screw that guy. But I'm nobody so what do I know.
I think that if they bring in the right people it will help the hitters somewhat. However, their issue isn't a lack of effort or desire or intelligence - Paredes, Altuve, Pena, Meyers, Correa and Alvarez are all very hard workers and largely love the game..... Yordan is low key one of the smartest people in baseball and his off-season program is considered amazing. Correa was a little immature when he came up, but now he is very well thought of.
Where or when exactly would you even expect to see their prep work? Do you have access to the film room, the workout rooms, the training programs, nutrition, etc?
Totally agree. I'd add baserunning instructor... But yeah, he doesn't seem like a guy who's interested in being in the dugout on a full time basis. I just don't get these yahoos, who I'm guessing are still under the incorrect impression that he was responsible for the Abreu and Montero deals, that would be adamantly against Jeff freakin Bagwell as our hitting coach.
Hitting coaches Study video Communicate what they see Educate on how physiology, posture, timing, swing adjustments etc. can impact change/results. Identify changes they see Suggest and help implement adjustments. Cheerlead. They do not stand in the box, make swing decisions, or actually swing a bat. Maybe Cintron and Snitker needed to go. I'm just happy they are trying something new. But that change alone is mot going to fix the 2026 run production. The hitters will still need direction and "orders" from the manager. From an offensive perspective, I think Espada actually and frequently giving a take sign on the first pitch of an AB or "take a strike" could result in a big improvement. That and baserunning is the biggest area of opportunity IMO
Joe is not perfect. I was hoping he would be replaced but he will at least start the year as the manager and I hope he makes it all the way through (because only losses piling up will result in him getting fired) He clearly has the respect of the players and organization. He does not rock the boat on or off the field. He us a good soldier. I just wish he was more aggressive and hands on during a game. Be more involved. Make hitters take pitches. Have pitchers do pitch outs occasionally (nobody does that anymore- just as effective as a throw to 1B in my opinion). Putting on hit-n-runs. Steal more bases. If he did that and forget he has a closer if the game is not within 3 runs I would be happy with him.
If I were Joe I would say. "Watch for a take sign on pitch one. After that the AB is yours until you get 2 strikes" Work with the hitting coaches and players to identify a 2 strike approach for each hitter and every time an AB gets to 2 strikes that becomes the directive.
So you think Crane, a guy who has never had problems paying money to field a roster, will spend $200+ million on a roster but won't spend a couple of million on a manager to help a team that, despite record-setting injuries, missed the playoffs by 1 game?
What goes on behind the scenes is a mystery to most of us. I do have some trouble connecting some dots. The Astros FO and coaching staff want the Astros hitters to take more pitches. The hitters struggled to do so. Some of that might be explained by veterans doing their thing over what they are may (or may not) be asked to do. Hitters like Alture and Yordan might not be asked to change their approach. Both play injured so those injuries might impact their results, eg a hit turns into a flyout. Some of the hitters are rookies and may have trouble executing the hitting plan. The rookies are also more likely to have holes in their swing and get more pitched for strikes targeting the hole in their swing, which may lead to fewer pitches per AB. Another` possibility is that some hitters may ignore their assigned hitting plan, when they so chose. Hitters should be benched by Espada if that were the case. If Espada lets hitters do what they when they want (and they are not named Altuve, Yordan, Correa), there is a BFD problem, whose solution may be to fire Espada.
He'll learn to do the opposite of what he does lol But what about him being the new catching coach? Previous one was let go as well.
I don't have any inside information but I have eyes and ears. I watch games and frequently say " OK this pitcher has thrown 8 consecutive balls so the hitter must take a pitch" then watch Altuve swing at the first pitch the catcher needs to jump out of a crouch to catch over his head or Yainer swing at the first pitch heading into the first base dugout. They are either not getting direction or flat ignoring it. I have also heard Chandler Rome state, many times, that Espada just let's the hitters hit and is hands off regarding PAs. At this point nobody is going to change aggressive swingers into patient smart hitters. But they will obey the manager.
There are a number of things that happened this last year that were unacceptable from a coaching/preparation standpoint. The first thing that stands out is the lack of preparation of concern for holding runners on and throwing them out. There is no excuse for it because it was clear the game was heading towards more base running. The second thing is the Astros lack of smart base running. Some of that is having an older team, and guys like Altuve that is bad at it. However, I seldom saw any intelligence to it. They didn't even seem to know which pitchers they could run on. The third thing I noticed was the lack of proper positioning - it just isn't as good as it was a few years ago. The Astros do not know how to advance runners. The Astros potentially can address a lot of these issues - as they should field better defensive team in 2026, than they did in 2025. Adding Correa is an addition - and Cole and Melton and Matthews all are capable of being high end fielders. I expect Altuve to be better as well. The Astros have a chance to be an explosive team on the base paths depending on how their younger players perform. Melton, Matthews and Cole all are capable of 50 steals with enough playing time. Pena and Cam Smith are capable of 20 steals as well. Having Paredes and Correa and Yordan all in the line up will help with advancing runners and working counts.
Michael Brantley would be a great hitting coach, but I doubt he’d want to go back on the road and leave his family for a good portion of the year. So, just ask him to watch the games at home and face time with the players between innings or just get one of those telepresence robots.
