Astros Management

One of my great readers (Erwin) sent me an e-mail just looking for my opinion on how I would grade the Astros management and the moves they've made this season.

I'd have to grade them as a 7.  I think they could have done a lot worse, but could have done better.  I think the biggest flaw in the management this season is how they've treated some of the players(whether intentionally or not).  Starting with the whole Bagwell situation.  I know it's a touchy subject and they were trying to do what was best for the team, but it was Jeff Bagwell!  He's been an Astros Icon since the 90's and a by far a fan favorite along with Biggio.  They should have just smiled and let him do what he wanted, instead of creating controversy and still letting him do what he wanted. 

After screwing up with Bagwell, they did it again with Roy-O.  I think even offering him in any trade was asinine.  Why would they do that?  He's been one of the best pitchers in the majors in the 21st century.  Pitching is the most important part of baseball and even thinking of trading him seems like they were throwing in the towel.  There are players that shouldn't have even been mentioned in trade rumors with the Astros, and along with Berkman, Biggio, and Clemens, Oswalt should have been on the top of the list of untouchables. 

I think getting Preston Wilson was a good move with the contract they gave him.  It was basically a 1 year, 4 million dollar contract (even though there was an option for 3 more years.. it was obvious that was never going to get picked up).  Few could have predicted the lack of power Preston has shown this year, especially with him being a right handed hitter with the Crawford boxes.  He should have hit 30 home runs by now!  I can't hold the Wilson move against him even after finding out about him being sent down today. 

Aubrey Huff was a good move!  If he would have been strictly a 3rd basemen I would have booed the move since we have Ensberg(even though he wasn't producing).  Since Huff can play multiple positions including 3rd, it was a great move.  Besides Huff's offensive numbers, he created pressure on Ensberg to produce.  Once Ensberg started producing they could slot Huff in at right field(like they have him now) and kill two birds with one stone.  I like this move a lot!  I wasn't real happy with giving up Zobrist, but I can live with it. 

Besides all of the controversy over the trade deadline, I'm really happy that we didn't make any moves(besides Huff).  We've shown in the past that the same basic team we have right now can take you to a world series.  It would have been a huge mistake to start trading off players like Ensberg, Lidge, and Oswalt.  Yes we all know that Ensberg and Lidge haven't been that great this season... but they've both shown in the past that they are All-Star caliber players who can put up gaudy numbers. 

So like I said higher.. I think a 7 is a good grade.  This would have been higher if the Astros wouldn't have put the bad tastes in the mouth of their fans and players with the Bagwell and Roy-O situations...    If the Astros sign Roy-O to the 5 year deal like he wants, it'll definitely boost the grade to at least an 8.

Go 'Stros!