He dealt with most players well (i.e., they seemed to like him). Chas and Dusty did not seem to work well together and Chas seemed to be very fake in interviews this past season (e.g., "just do what's best for team" cliches instead of being a cocky little **** with the "I am Iron Man the centerfielder" like he was before). He did let the pitchers and Maldy to form a clique that made made it difficult for Dusty to play Diaz.
I honestly think he played his favorites no matter what because he was set in his ways and obviously didn't get along with the front office. I understand why Chas was upset. Agree on the Maldy situation. That was terrible and it prevented a really good player from being in the lineup out of a weird loyalty to a player who should have been a bench coach.
For me, it is going to take some baseball, for Dusty not to be praised, and for topics that are relevant to 2024 in which how things might change with Espada versus Dusty to be settled. I think how DIaz, Chas, Meyers, and Alvarez will be utilized under Espada versus how they were utilized under Dusty is a relevant topic. Personally, how the Astros play platoon matchups this year is one of the more interesting topics to me besides adding Hader.
Dusty was so bad that he was good. What we needed is for him to be badder in order for all of the championships to belong to us. Spoiler note the sarcasm font. Sarcasm off: In 2022, the Astros won 106 games. That team was not a 106 win team. It just was not. Going into the playoffs, we were not the best team, not even close. My opinion at the time was that we had a punchers chance since we had solid pitching. We go on to win ... and the Astros who were screaming for Dusty's head the entire ****ing year were now saying that the team won despite Dusty. I am no baseball expert but those fans were likely dead wrong.
I suspect if Dubon will be traded next offseason. He will likely make ~$17M total over 2025-2026 and that’s money Houston will want to use elsewhere, especially because there should be another young player (Kessinger, Whitcomb, Leon) ready to assume his role without much dropoff. I think the same will be true for Urquidy.
Dubon has two of the three things I look for in a utility player. He has the glove and the arm but his bat leaves a lot to be desired. I believe his value is at its peak right now and would like to see him traded before the season begins.
We're not going to agree on Dusty. He's had a lot of talent everywhere and finally the Astros were able to overcome his terrible mananaging. We can agree to disagree
If they make it. I know everyone says Super Team Super Team But their rotation could be awesome, but it could be big trouble too. The closest they have to a "Sure Thing" is Bobby Miller everyone else either has a legit injury history, legit injury, or has never thrown a pitch in the big leagues
Yea it's possible that no one on the team has more personally at stake this year than Urquidy I mean I know a huge year for Bregman could mean a ton of extra dollars in free agency But if we hadn't had such great pitching the last decade people who value how good Urquidy was a lot more I think. Before last years injury riddled season he had two full seasons and two partial ones all with era's in the 3's. He also did that regularly pitching into the 6th/7th inning. That's a profile that could collect a really nice payday.
If we had someone we knew was ready to step into that role I would agree. But we really don't, and one of the spots he can play if needed is our biggest question mark among current everyday starters Plus, it's not like we would get a big return for him. His value might be at it's highest, but he is still a guy who swings at everything and has very little power. A good utility guy and a good fit for us right now, but not overly valuable if on the market. I can't see any team out there saying "damn, we really need a Dubon to start for us"
