Entire Astros coaching staff will return in 2017

The 2016 Houston Astros were a disappointment, to say the least. There may be many changes to the 2017 roster as a result but those changes won’t come in the coaching staff.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow announced the entire coaching staff would return for the 2017 season on Monday at the end-of-season press conference.

To recap that includes:

• A.J. Hinch, manager
• Trey Hillman, bench coach
• Dave Hudgens, hitting coach
• Bret Strom, pitching coach
• Gary Pettis, third base coach
• Rich Dauer, first base coach
• Craig Bjornson, bullpen coach
• Alonzo Powell, assistant hitting coach

Hinch’s retention is a surprise after the stellar 2015 season and the fact he pieced together a roster that was in contention down the stretch in 2016. Hillman did a fine job in three games this season that Hinch was ejected.

Kidding aside. It is a bit surprising the team is retaining Pettis and Hudgens after a slew of questionable outcomes and decision on their part.

Pettis misfired on a handful of calls to send runners from third in 2016.

Hudgens was in charge of an offense that fell apart at times for long stretches of the season. While former Astros Carlos Gomez appears to find new life once he was under a new voice with the Rangers.

But that is the nature of being a bench coach. You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain