Look at the Rangers, money can still buy championships. This is something most fans don't want to admit. Luhnow built a lasting legacy but Crane still had to spend money on JV to get over the top. If the Rangers continue to spend money and the Stros don't then the outcome for the Stros won't be the one we want in 3-4 years.
Look at the Dodgers, ... oh wait. Money can get you a ticket to the playoff ride. Winning the playoffs takes a lot more and LUCK.
The Astros lost half a win last season due to their pitchers failing to hold runners. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/lead...team=117&type=Pit&with_team_only=1&expanded=0
Winning a World Series is hard. Winning multiple World Series is crazy hard. Managing a dynasty effectively may he even harder yet. Everything you said is true. Plus, this isn't the 1960s. These players can leave if they want and expect to get paid. Every year, some of the good players either make more money, reducing what you can spend on the rest of the roster, or leave creating a hole to fill. The GM must look at the 26 man and 40 man rosters and make sure they are capable of winning, and fixing them if they are not. Then he/she must have a plan for next year and the year after that on what holes may come up and how to fill them. And if the GM is changed every 2-3 years how can that happen or be effective? The manager must know all the players and where/when to play or sit them. Then he (or she eventually) must adapt on the fly when players come and go due to no longer on the 26 man or needing time off. The fact that this team is still a WS contender going in to the 7th season after its 1st WS is great and unexpected. Enjoy the ride.
I agree it takes luck. But the Stros are now competing with a team like the Dodgers, the Rangers are most likely going to continue to spend. That was ok when Luhnow ran the org. Not so much now that Bagwell has Crane's ear.
And not enough. Witt had 5.7 fWAR in his age 23 season and 4 years of control left. That's top 5 in all MLB type value. Pena had 2.8 as a 25 yr old. Brown had 1.8 as a 24 yr old Neither project to more than 3 WAR next year either. KC would want serious prospects on top of both of them in any deal.
Yeah, Bochy helped too. Nevertheless, teams have bought championships and some have failed to emulate them. I’m a fan of the Luhow approach, but it doesn’t hurt to have unlimited resources to spend. The Yankees bought several championships before the son took over. The Rangers spent a ton and will spend more and if you don’t think that is a problem for the Astros, you are being naive.
I’m not aware of any franchise that has “bought” a title without supplementing it with very good drafting/developing. Baseball’s financial inequity is the real cheating scandal, but even the super rich have to do some other things right. A lot of things, actually.
I wonder if Brown resolves to a few smallish trades this offseason. I wouldn’t mind adding Aaron Bummer, LHP reliever from CWS…could be a nice low key addition. I would love to add Hicks as well but hopefully we can acquire some players via trade if it makes sense. Farm took a hit w/ the JV trade but hopefully our prospects thrive
Yordan is not trade bait: Astro for life. Barry Bonds only played for two teams. Yordan has already met the quota.
