Its not an "attack" on anybody. There were SABR members back then who did give Luhnow/Astros credit for building a team predicated on a hard-to-find/productive asset at the time (power). As you "think" like SABR, you do realize that these views fluctuate dependent on actual results. At the time, power was a limited and vastly sought after commodity... and the Astros showed that it alone could transcend to runs and wins. There's also the fact that you yourself highlighted several fangraph projections and articles showcasing how the Astros were able to beat the "traditionalist view" that a team that K's too much would not win. If you're honestly getting "upset" about this... I really can't say much more than maybe you need to take a step back. I honestly did think you were a SABR member at first, having attended conferences, etc.... but apparently you take offense just for "thinking" like them. And if you haven't been to a conference, why not? Why don't you become a member? I can put you in touch with some of the local chapter leaders. Where was I ever nitpicking about anything? They had a below average payroll then... they have a below average payroll now. You honestly think they couldn't acquire some average-to-above average contact hitters with the $20+million allocated to Rasmus over 2 years, along with the $8-10 million allocated to Carter/Castro/Valbuena combined? Do you really think they made a huge splash in free agency this last season that they couldn't have done at any other time? They got a solid role player (Reddick), and 2 aging veterans who were cheaper than their comparative peers (Beltran/McCann). At the time (2015) they were banking on power... and it got them pretty far (but also had some built-in limitations). They've shifted gears and its immediately paying off (along with the expected improvement/continued excellence of guys who are vital to the core... Springer/Altuve/Correa).
That was my brother's Halloween last year. He pulled off the mustache and the beer gut like no other.
Will be interesting to see what Luhnow does... Our farm is stacked. Absolutely stacked. I think Billy Beane will have the most reasonable price/offer. Gray would be a fantastic get. That's my prediction. I'd love Archer...but I think Luhnow will opt for the most reasonable price with all risk considered.
Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black. Luhnow has never signed a power no contact player to multi year deal. Luhnow has never traded a significant prospect for a power no contact player. Only time Luhnow has had a lot of power only guys was when Astros budget was ridiculously small. It is moneyball..sign guys that others under value. He got a team together that made playoffs. Now that he has a little more budget, he is trying to put best team he can with existing budget. His biggest free agent position player signings ever: Gurriel Reddick His 1st round position player picks: Correa Bregman Tucker Not one power only guy. Astros got a lot of power only guys early in Luhnow' s days, but Luhnow has never spent valuable resources such as a multiyear deal, good prospects, or a 1st round pick on one. On nitpicking, calling deals that fit on the 25th highest payroll in 2015 as not bargain bin is nitpicking as Astros probably had highest production for the dollar that year. Making a big deal out of semantics on a small scale is nitpicking to me when it is obvious from the macroscale that Astros got a good bargain for the buck with a team full of power no contact guys.
You again undervalue what it costed to acquire/keep Rasmus... along with Gattis. He traded for Carter and they kept him around longer even when there were possible replacements. They traded for Gomez who was a high K/power hitter. You also forget what they spent for Feldman, Gregerson, Neshek. Crane hasn't completely opened up the pursestrings just yet, but the 2015 budget was very much within striking distance of where they are now (and that's before you have the earmarked money that was approved for Hamels). He's always attempted to field the best team with the existing budget... but where they targeted/kept guys with more power before, they've shifted focus to more contact-oriented guys (and cheaper veterans, if you really want to delve into tapping previously untapped resources). Pot calling the kettle black? What the hell are you talking about? Lastly, Luhnow himself has commented on this shift in mindset.... maybe you should actually let him speak for himself, rather than try to speak for him and his moves/decisions that were apparently made simply due to budget-only reasons.
Did STL trade for Holliday from OAK? Would be interesting to see moves involving minor leaguers from Luhnow's time there. EDIT: STL acquired Holliday from OAK in 2009, Luhnow in STL thru 2010. Cue Billy Madison "I am the smartest man alive" meme
Luhnow wasn't handling MLB trades for STL and was unlikely ever talking to other MLB GM's then.... but that trade did feature a long-time Luhnow favorite in Brett Wallace. He certainly has a familiarity with Beane, and there's probably a ton of mutual respect amongst these self-made men.
You sound angry. Yes, Luhnow has said they have shifted focus. What do you want him to say? Owner was cheap and I got best flawed players I could get. Now that, I have more budget even though not great, I can target better players that are similar to guys I was drafting already or trading to acquire Luhnow got all those players while keeping a budget under $100 million. In other words, Luhnow spent less on team in 2015 and didn't hurt future as Astros are the best team now. You can dance all you want, but it is ridiculous to say he spent a lot on individual deals when Astros aren't hurting now and he had lowest playoff payroll.
