http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/10/odds-ends-astros-.html •After striking out on Manny Acta, the Astros must continue their search for a skipper. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the search is now focused on three candidates: former Astros manager Phil Garner, BoSox bench coach Brad Mills and interim manager Dave Clark. One source told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that Mills would get the nod and that it would be a "surprise" if Garner were brought back. Another source said that Clark remains a possibility. Houston would like to reach a decision before the start of the World Series (Wednesday), but may even expand their search beyond these three choices. Expanding it would be interesting but really think its Mills or Garner.
Maybe we can bring back "General Admission" from the old Astrodome days and call the skipper "General Mills."
I'd be surprised if it's Garner, at this point. I like Phil, but with him, you absolutely know what you're getting. I can't see the Astros being wishy washy over that. Of the finalists, he was always going to be either the first choice, or the last choice, imo. Assuming the reports of the Acta offer are true, I think it's clear they want a different direction, and it's most likely Mills' job.
i cautiously agree with you. don't know jack squat about mills, nor do i care. i'd prefer absolutely anybody as our next manager over garner.
If Mills is indeed the choice (and again, I would have preferred Melvin, a proven winner), I sure hope the front office flushes the current roster and rebuilds. I would prefer seeing a young team out there, with the hope of developing into a winner, rather than a hodge podge of new and old with no real identity or hope of being more than a mediocre team again. Unfortunately, the Astros front office stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that they need to rebuild, so I suspect we will see last years team with just a few superficial changes...
I disagree. I think the left side of their infield will be entirely different. I think you're going to see the young pitchers you saw towards the end of last season (for better or for worse). I don't think it will be long before you see Castro behind the plate. I'd love to seem the do something to get rid of Matsui. No one will take him, though.
It doesnt matter who they hire if they're not going to give the new guy(Mills I assume) time. If Acta was their guy and they were only willing to give him 2 years, what does that tell you? That tells me two things: 1. Whoever they hire wasnt/isnt their main guy and 2. if it's not their main guy, how much of a commitment will they have to him? And going back to Acta only getting offered a 2 year deal, you better believe none of the others will get beyond 2 years. And jmo but thats where they are going wrong. They gotta give the new manager time. This team isnt going to be a instant contender whether Drayton wants to believe that or not. Enough of that "We are champions!" attitude. No, Drayton, we're not. Put down the kool-aid and put down the glasses. Wouldn't be shocked if we're talking about the firing and hiring of managers again in 2-2 1/2 years.
Just because we have Matsui signed doesn't mean we have to play him. I am hoping for a new middle infield, which stressed defense to help the younger arms on the pitching staff.
of course i wouldn't be shocked...because how the hell do we know manny acta is THE guy?? i have no problem not offering acta 3 years, and i think i was the one rooting for him the most in this process. none of us knows whether acta or mills or garner would be best for this job. drayton doesn't know it either.
So you anticipate an entirely new 3rd baseman instead of Tejada and/or Blum? I'd like to see Castro and agree that a new 2nd baseman would be great to see, but agree no one will accept him in a trade. That said, I expect to see 3/4ths of the same infield and the same outfield out there.
Same outfield doesn't bother me one bit...nothing we can do with Carlos. We took a shot at adding his bat way back when we were playing close...gotta live with it one more season. Bourn and Pence I'm good with sticking around. I don't THINK we'll be bringing back Tejada. And we'll have to see how everyone does at Spring Training, but my guess is they'll be looking at Johnson at 3B.
I have been a defender of McLane throughout the years. To me, this is indefensible. 2 years is telling the guy, "We're pretty sure you're going to suck, so we're not going to get locked down for any more time than we want to." My favorite team is becoming a laughingstock and it pisses me off.
Castro needs at least some time in AAA before he comes up. They rushed Towles and look what happened there. They were patient with Pence and it worked out well. Give him at least a month in AAA to make sure he's ready and then call him up May 1. They can get by with Quintero and Towles until then.
I tend to agree, Uncle D has been a great owner over the years but since the 05 WS he has made some moves that make you shake your head. I am a little suprised Wade has let Drayton just make him and this organization look so foolish. I understand this is his team and he can do what he wants but he does realize MMP will be empty most weeknights at this rate. I didn't even like Acta that much but darn this was his dream job and Uncle D gets stingy on a third year??? I have to think that extension to Coop finally bit them in the butt.
Managed 10 years in the minors, spent 10 years as Francona's bench coach in Philly & Boston. He was the guy Nolan struck out to break Walter Johnson's record. Outside of that, nuthin'.
