Who are you tellin’? Yeah, I don’t want Biggio or Bagwell or Ausmus or Clemens or Reggie Jackson near any decision making. They can keep their “showing up once/twice to Spring Training” (and Bagwell on select ATT broadcasts) and playing golf with Jim in their off-time.
With only adding 1 to the roster today, the Astros have 36 players on their 40 man roster. They can add 4 more players before filling it up. Verlander, a 1B, a DH/LF, and a C seem to make sense.
Sounds to me like Crane wants to call the shots on free agents and trades and needs someone he trusts to be the front man and do the everyday work Better have a separate analytics group to run scouting, draft and the farm
Dream off-season: Sign JV Use Garcia/urquidy to get Christian Walker Use rest of money to sign the following in preference order- Vasquez Brantley Yuli if there is some way to make the money work, I would take conforto over brantley. If the Walker trade can’t happen, go for Abreu and use urquidy for Jansen or similar catcher. Still go for brantley/Conforto and yuli.
Ive read the opposite that analytics are saying he should have hit better based on metrics. In either case, he hasn't taken a dive in production yet and he's not going to cost top prospects or long term money. Most players his quality aren't an option because they aren't 37, 38, and 39. They are getting 6 or 7 years and money that could force Tucker or Valdez out... He's going to get more than Rizzo... he's better...
All I have been reading about Crane lately makes me think there is a slight chance if Verlander walks...offering Judge the blank check is something he could do.
Giving JV, Abreu, Haniger, and Narvaez each 2 year deals for whatever their asking price is would be a pretty low risk way of ensuring the Astros have a complete roster for the next 2 seasons.
Man… that lineup would be terrifying for opposing teams. When healthy, Haniger was the 3 hole hitter on a very good mariners team. Potential for 30+ homers. Same thing with Abreu hitting cleanup and putting up monster numbers for years- being the most feared hitter on those White Sox teams. Those 2 guys would probably hit 6th and 7th on the Astros. Sign me the hell up.
I found it interesting that Crane wanted AJ Hinch as GM back in Jan/Feb. This has to mean he wants an analytic GM. What is holding Sig?
Deep, deep down, Jimmy knows he made a mistake firing the GOAT. Deep down, he yearns for Luhnow (and his great team around him) Major leagues/winning, minor leagues, player development, trades, free agency… (that’s not to say every move worked out but a bunch did) The homegrown talent. Big acquisition after acquisition. He spoiled Jim/us. You could always re-hire him () not happening but good luck replicating the GOAT! PS: Pass on Hinch or Ausmus as GM (or front office)
