How Astros focus on optics reveals new path forward with manager, front office
STONE COLD 'STROS
13 November 2023
The Houston Astros made it official on Monday, hiring the organization's 20th manger in Joe Espada. GM Dana Brown thanked owner Jim Crane for letting him lead the manager search, which conflicted from a previous report from MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
McTaggart's report made it seem like Crane and Jeff Bagwell would be leading the search, with Brown having a say in the process. But the fact that Crane and Bagwell were not part of the presser suggests this was Brown's decision.
There was a lot of pushback from fans and media when Jeff Bagwell's name was mentioned as being part of the process. Especially when rumors started swirling about Brad Ausmus being a candidate for the job.
Many wondered why they would hire a GM and not let him pick his own manager. It seems that message was heard by the organization, and this hiring is Dana Brown's. Which is a bit of a surprise considering Bob Nightengale reported not that long ago that Brown wanted to hire Espada, and Crane might be interested in a bigger name.
Typically, Crane has elected to hire from outside the organization. Dusty Baker and Dana Brown fit that description. But it appears Dana Brown led this hiring process, so he'll get the credit or blame depending on how this plays out.
Finally, Dusty Baker made some comments on his way out about 30-year-old bloggers and tweeters being part of the reason he wanted to retire. What stood out most in that statement was the ageism. The thought that people don't know what they're talking about because of their age is ridiculous. SportsMap's Ken Hoffman wrote a piece last week highlighting Theo Epstein, Andrew Friedman, and Billy Beane.
All three had a lot of success early in their careers. Imagine if they had been overlooked because they weren't in their 40s. Baker's comments were directed at the media, but the point remains.
It's funny, all the Astros had to do was look around the city of Houston to see young coaches making a big impact. The Texans and Rockets are happy with their young coaches. Espada is 48 years old, so it seems Houston opted for a younger manager as well. Especially compared to Dusty Baker (74).
Finally, how will Espada work with the front office? Based on what Dana Brown is saying, this seems like a perfect fit. Espada knows this team, they know him, and perhaps the front office will work more closely with the manager now that Brown has had the opportunity to pick his guy for the job.
There's so much more to get to. Watch the video above for the full conversation!
How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
It’s been a slog on the treadmill of mediocrity for the Astros thus far in 2025. Their 18-18 record heading into a weekend series at Daikin Park vs. the Reds is appropriate. Plenty of good teams will have similar stretches this season. The Astros have to prove that this year’s edition is a good team. Plenty of time for that remains. Reminder that the breakout 2017 Astros had a 74-game stretch over which they went 37-37. 162 games allow for a lot of ebb and flow. Of course, the 2025 Astros’ roster is not close to that of the 2017 squad. The point isn’t that this time could be a 101-game winner but that the 88 victories good enough for a playoff spot last year are still quite plausible this year.
The Rockets achieved mediocrity last season after three seasons as a laughingstock. This season they made the leap to good. While curling up and succumbing to Golden State in the decisive game seven of their first-round playoff series was a disappointment, the Rockets are in excellent position moving forward. Where they go from here should be quite interesting,
OF COURSE the Rockets are going to explore trading Jalen Green. He is obviously their most physically gifted player, but his consistent inconsistency is exasperating. Green’s series against the Warriors was basically an embarrassment with the exception of his 38-point game two outburst. The other six games, a meager nine-point-two points per game. That Green is still just 23 years old means it is not near obligatory they move on from him as Green starts a three-year 105 million dollar contract extension. However, the state of his game and comparison to a few specific players cast enough doubt about Green’s ceiling that declaring him “untouchable” would be ridiculous. During the Golden State series, an NBA play-by-play guy who I think is very good overall once referred to Green as the “Rockets’ superstar.” Anyone, including Green himself, who calls him a superstar either misspoke, was caught up in a moment, or is clueless.
Jalen Green just finished his fourth NBA season. Fairness requires noting that his first two seasons were compromised by being on atrocious Rockets’ squads. That said, Green was on 41-41 and 52-30 teams the past two seasons. In neither of him did he shoot a league average percentage either overall or from behind the three-point line. He did approach the three-point league average of 36 percentage made with his 35.4. That Green is an 80 percent career free throw shooter gives hope the three-point shooting can further develop. Better shot selection sure would help.
Green was the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, one year removed from high school. The player taken ahead of him was Cade Cunningham who also played just one year out of high school before going NBA. Cunningham joined a joke Detroit Pistons team. Cunningham is a much better player than Green at this point.
Other shooting guards who played one year after high school then jumped to the NBA, who were markedly ahead of Green after four NBA seasons include Anthony Edwards (first pick in his draft class), and Shae Gilgeous-Alexander (11th), and Devin Booker (13th). In comparison to each Green is a disappointment, though certainly not a bust.
What is head coach Ime Udoka’s bottom-line belief in Green fulfilling his potential? My guess is that cup is not overflowing. The Rockets’ half-court offense simply is not of championship caliber. Can it evolve there with Green, or is he better used as a piece in a trade offer with other players plus draft picks for a Booker or Kevin Duran? The Phoenix Suns are a near assets-less mess of a franchise in dire need of a reset. Durant will be 37 years old when next season starts, but is still a tremendous offensive player who would be a gargantuan half-court offense upgrade for the Rockets. The Rockets have so much draft capital that offering two or three first round picks plus Green, Cam Whitmore, and another player or two to make the salary cap math work would A: not empty out the Rockets’ flexibility going forward and B: have to get the Suns’ attention. If I’m Udoka and General Manager Rafael Stone, I’m making the call.
Courtesy of the Suns, the Rockets hold what is currently the ninth pick in the NBA Draft. The draft lottery is Monday night. The Rockets’ have a three-point-eight percent chance of winning it and the right to make Duke freshman superstar (and Final Four loser to UH) Cooper Flagg the number one pick. There is a 13.5 percent chance the Rockets move up to pick two, three, or four. Otherwise, it’s ninth, or lower if another team or teams vault up the lottery board.
For Astro-centric conversation, join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
_____________________________________________
*Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
