Thursday Midday Astros, etc Round Up
by Evan Hochschild on Sep 24, 2009 11:50 AM CDT
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PrintEd Wade has two pages chock full of people who want to manage the Astros. One of the more interesting names that has been bandied about, Dave Duncan, isn't one of them. It would have been interesting to have Duncan in the mix, seeing as how he's worked side by side with TLR all these years in both Oakland and St. Louis.
Richard Justice points out that Drayton McLane's Astros have been a well run franchise. Obviously the biggest reason to think otherwise has been his neglect of the farm system and unwillingness to spend the necessary money on draft picks in the past. If Ed Wade truly has convinced McLane that it's wise to invest in the farm system, and that to fail to do so assures either the need for a high payroll or a lousy record, then this team may be able to break this recent pattern of poor drafting and struggling big league teams.
Baseball Prospectus gives a pretty even handed assessment of the Astros, suggesting that the future ain't so bright around Houston. They give the usual suggestion to trade Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt, and also mention Darin Erstad, Brandon Backe and Jason Michaels more than probably need be, but such is their way I suppose.
The United States has clinched the top spot in the Baseball World Cup! Kudos to our young ballplayers for dominating thus far. Sadly, one player who hasn't been dominating is Mr. Jason Castro, who sports a .095 batting average in six games. That's ok, Jason- JR Towles can't do much better over here.
My thought of the day: This economic crisis the country has had to battle for the past year or so has seen large companies basically taken over by the government to ensure that reckless decision making is kept to a minimum. Now, I'm not trying to make a political statement or anything, but I think this is an interesting idea to apply...not necessarily to the economy, but to MLB teams.
Take the Astros, for instance. For years, the Astros mismanaged the amateur draft like an AIG executive looking at a balance sheet. Look at the Astros now. A shell of our former, once respectable selves. What can happen to change this? Why not let MLB make decisions for the Astros? Buy out the bad parts of the team, back all decisions with the security of the MLB brand and dig us out the hole. Once operations return to normal, pick us a new owner, and let us free. It's like nursing an injured animal back to health. Or hell, what if the Astros made an agreement with Tampa or Atlanta or Oakland to allow their GM to somehow help the decision making process in return for a prospect here, or a Roy Oswalt there? Just a thought.
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Alyson Footer suggests an interesting new name to the manager conversation
Bill Ripkin. Here’s what she says about him:
I read somewhere he was once voted by his peers as the player most likely to become a Major League manager. So what’s taking so long?
Looking for enthusiasm? A former teammate reportedly called Ripken the Nuclear Dish because he has an endless source of energy. Need someone who can deal with adversity? Ripken lived through the 21-game losing streak that opened the Orioles’ 1988 season and had plenty more low times even after the streak ended. And he knows his stuff. He was a late hire by the MLB Network and he’s by far its biggest star. Hearing him break down strategies, pitching sequences and teams in general is a thing of beauty. He also knows plenty about being the underdog. He’s Cal’s little brother for crying out loud. He’s also smart, engaging and a heck of a baseball teacher. He and Cal have written two “how to” books and they run three Minor League teams. Check it out: http://www.ripkenbaseball.com.
dammit
Jim Deshaies: Thanks to the fans for the emphatic “J.D. for manager” campaign, and our loveable television analyst appreciates the passion. But it’s not happening.
Your friendly neighborhood Dream Shake mod.
MLB ran the Expos / Nationals for several years. I wouldn’t say that was much help to that franchise. A franchise which once had a thriving farm system hit bottom by the time it was sold to real owners. An inherent conflict became apparent: other owners weren’t thrilled when the Expos used MLB’s money to sign away free agents from them, or traded productive players at mid-season to teams which were in a pennant chase (i.e., owners of other teams in the race didn’t like it). People suspected that the franchise was restricted in its baseball moves by the other owners in baseball.
At the current time, it is unclear how much control MLB has over the Rangers, since MLB had to loan the franchise money to keep operating. The Rangers say none, but others disagree.
MLB running (ruining) Expos/Nationals came to my mind too
Ed Wade needs to wait until the season and World Series is over before completing his list. Dave Duncan will not contemplate his future seriously until the season plays out..
Justin Smoak is “smoaking” with 1.049 slugging percentage in the World Baseball Cup.
If Alyson thinks Billy Ripkin should be considered, then put him on the short list (with Dave Duncan and Tony Pena and whoever) (though I’m not super-comfortable with someone whose main attribute is his ability to deal with losing 21 games in a row ( I know that’s not what she said) and being the underdog – I’d prefer someone knows how to be the top dog.)
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 24, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions
true
and i thought of that as well, but the parallels between the government taking over businesses, and mlb taking over the astros all within a years’ time struck me as funny…or sad. yes, more so sad than funny.
by Evan Hochschild on Sep 24, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I read it as whimsical post
You could take it a step further and let the fans vote for ownership. Have some set a fair price – anyone who can meet the price can run for team owner; and the fans vote.
Mainly an election once every five years – or have each division vote every sixth year.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 24, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Jason Castro update
I’m getting the USA vs Cuba game on MLB Network.
1st at bat walk, threw out a runner trying to steal second, RBI single.
by Timothy De Block on Sep 24, 2009 2:25 PM CDT reply actions
Looking at the backgrounds of some of the candidates....
as set out by Footer….Tim Bogar’s background looks darned impressive. It looks like he has been consciously preparing himself to become a big league manager. I also like selecting from the Red Sox organization. The Red Sox have become a premier baseball operation, and in some ways a cutting edge organzation. It can’t be bad to hire someone who knows what a top flight organization is like. That’s not really an indication of “my pick,” but just an observation.
Merger
Maybe the Astros should be looking to merge with another pathetic franchise (Pittsburgh?). Together, they might have enough players to be competitive. Then they can use the surplus to start a couple of farm clubs.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
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