A Change Is Gonna Come? Crane, The AL And Timing

by David Coleman on Oct 21, 2011 1:43 AM CDT in Editorials

Let's get one thing straight. I'm tired of writing about Jim Crane. I'm tired of this sale. I'm tired of the move to the American League.

It's the same news, over and over again.

Until it isn't. The latest is that Drayton McLane's sale of the Astros to Jim Crane will be approved at the November 15th owner's meetings and that Crane is working on a deal that will compensate him with $50 million to move the Astros to the American League.

Which is all fine and newsworthy, but it was telegraphed weeks ago when Crane met with the Houston Chronicle editorial board. That's when Crane trotted out the idea that the American League move would be possible if he was compensated.

Until that point, the question was about Crane's viability because of his background, questions on his financing holding up, the war profiteering mess and all the other issues that came up this summer. We've written about all of it as we wait with baited breath for Crane to finally take command of this team.

All the while, we speculated that the owners were more focused on the McCourt divorce mess than the Crane approval process, that his background issues weren't an issue as much as the owners were distracted. Oh, and they decided they wanted the Astros to move if the sale went through.

Funny how despite protests to the contrary, once the McCourt mess wrapped up this week, suddenly the Crane deal starts coming out. This entire summer, Crane and MLB engaged in a slow dance negotiating through the press, never waivering from their marching orders until that meeting Crane had with the Chronicle. That's when things started moving in a positive direction. The meeting with Selig happened. A deal was reached and now, the Astros just might have an owner.

While we waited, the Red Sox lost GM Theo Epstein to the Cubs, Andrew Friedman may be headed to Arte Moreno's deep pockets in Los Angeles or Anaheim and the Texas Rangers made the World Series. Crane won't be stepping into a great situation, but I'll be glad when he's officially in charge in a month.

Maybe once he's on board, I'll have something to write about again...

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

And how would it affect the Astros’ season if the whole thing ends up in litigation? The Chronicle story says that MLB is trying to pressure McLane into changing his agreement (lower sales price) with Crane’s group.

Not only is Theo Epstein going to Chicago, but he is going to reduce the available sabermetric GM pool by hiring the GM and Asst. GM from San Diego. (Chicago will provide minor league player compensation to both Boston and San Diego!) And that means SD will be in the hunt for a sabermetric GM too. Hunsicker is on the short list for the Orioles GM job too.

by clack on Oct 21, 2011 6:46 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Friedman

I know that Houston has probably never had a realistic chance at landing Friedman, but its still disheartening to hear that he might end up with the Angels. He would be a nice fit here.

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Oct 21, 2011 8:28 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

That wasn’t necessarily a reply to Clack. Just hit the wrong button, buddy.

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Oct 21, 2011 8:30 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

It seemed like the Astros might have had a chance at Friedman. Supposedly, his friends told Justice that he liked the idea of being the GM in his hometown. (But then again, what is he going to say?) On the other hand, the Angels probably can pay him a lot and give him a lot of resources to work with. So, I can’t blame him if he takes that job.

by clack on Oct 21, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I wouldn’t blame him, either. It will be interesting to see what Friedman can do with a real budget/payroll for once, whether its in Anaheim, Houston, or elsewhere.

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Oct 21, 2011 9:47 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Maybe Crane takes that 50 Mil and tells Friedman to name his price.

Follow my ramblings on Twitter .

by Timothy De Block on Oct 21, 2011 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions

While we’re wishing, I’d like a pony.

by CRPerry13 on Oct 21, 2011 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Chip Bailey, the chron’s fanblogger, asked fans what they wanted the $50 million spent on. Someone said, buy the whole TB team. Someone else said buy the whole Tampa Bay front office and scouts (which is at least a bit more plausible). Most of the comments were along the lines of send it to back to Bud Selig with instructions on where to put it in his anatomy.

by clack on Oct 21, 2011 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

3 words: Tastier Hot Dogs

by CRPerry13 on Oct 21, 2011 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Lock up Carlos Lee for a few more years

by Brad E on Oct 21, 2011 1:03 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs

Besides El Caballo, we really don't have anybody who can hit homeruns.

Arm Gun maybe, but perhaps not enough. Either Telvin Nash or Jonathan Singleton are our best chances for power-hitting prospects.

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

by BustaPozee on Oct 21, 2011 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

That's not funny, man.

This Astros FO is bound to do that…

by mike_o on Oct 21, 2011 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions

They'd never do that, he's too expensive

But I hear J-Mike is pretty inexpensive…

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

by BustaPozee on Oct 21, 2011 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions

In all seriousness, that might not be a bad idea

Especially if we’re headed to the AL. Getting him for something like 2 years, $14 million or less would make sense to keep veteran leadership and a consistent bat in the lineup. Singleton won’t be ready for another 2-3 years and won’t be making a huge impact immediately. Anyway, without any impact prospects coming through, you have to have some semblance of offense.

by Patrick Harrel on Oct 21, 2011 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Is it weird that I actually like Carlos Lee now?

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

by BustaPozee on Oct 22, 2011 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Stockholm Syndrome.

by MadMartygan on Oct 22, 2011 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I had a feeling I knew what that was

I was wrong

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

by BustaPozee on Oct 22, 2011 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I like him too, but not as a #4 hitter anymore. If he hit 6th, I’d be ok with a low-dollar contract, if only for his personality.

by CRPerry13 on Oct 23, 2011 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Maybe he still has a chance to get Friedman....

But Crane is right when he says that the longer this mess (or extortion scheme) goes on the more it hurts the franchise…. If the angles are really in talks with Friedman, & it appears they’ve at least started, then that window could be closing fast.

I pity Crane if he ends up having hire a front office to have a battle of the minds with Jon Daniels, Billy Beane, & Andrew Friedman. Competing with those guys & their front offices is a pretty tall order.

by man07 on Oct 21, 2011 10:08 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Nice to see MLB decided to drag this out until all the GMs are taken. One last kick in the head for Astros fans this season.

by ntn on Oct 21, 2011 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I wonder if a new gm would want to put his stamp on the club immediately if he became the GM. I remember when Wade took over that he made several trades right out of the gate. Would the new Gm do the same thing and assess the current season and say that it makes more since to strip the team down completely and start from scratch. If so then Wandy and Myers would probably be traded in the offseason.

by conroestro on Oct 22, 2011 2:25 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

I haven't been on here in a while

so this may have been brought up already…but would the Astros get compensatory picks if they move to the AL? Is there any precedent for this happening? When a team moves to another league, have they ever been given extra picks?

by danielcp0303 on Oct 22, 2011 2:59 PM CDT reply actions

Not that I’m aware.

by clack on Oct 22, 2011 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Is it wishful thinking then?

Seems to me that some picks would be more than fair

by danielcp0303 on Oct 22, 2011 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Probably.

But yes I think it would be fair. I just doubt that they do something which affects competitive positions.

by clack on Oct 22, 2011 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

This isn't about fairness, unfortunately.

by mike_o on Oct 22, 2011 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

The Importance of George Springer

by ntn 11 days ago

27 comments | 2 recs

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Current Series

Astros lead the series 1-0

Fri 05/25	WP: Lucas Harrell (4 - 3) SV: Brett Myers LP: Clayton Kershaw (4 - 2)	3 - 1 win
Houston Astros The Crawfish Boxes @ Los Angeles Dodgers True Blue LA Saturday, May 26, 2012, 9:10 PM CDT Dodger Stadium Bud Norris vs Chad Billingsley Mostly clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 65. Complete Coverage >
Sun 05/27		3:10 PM CDT

NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Cincinnati Red Reporter	25	20	.555	0	Lost 1
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	25	21	.543	0.5	Lost 2
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	22	23	.488	3	Won 4
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	21	24	.466	4	Won 1
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	19	26	.422	6	Won 2
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	15	30	.333	10	Lost 10