...as Director of Player Development. Many of us have come to the conclusion that a good GM Timmy ain't. But back in the late '90s and early '00s this organization was awesome top-to-bottom. I miss those days. I miss Hun too, even if he was an arrogant prick. At least he was an outstanding arrogant prick (allegedly).
I miss having a GM who actually does what he's supposed to do... MANAGE... not make suggestions, and then have to get final approval from the true guy in charge. Drayton may have to take a page from Les... hire a GM, and give him complete control to make the team in his image.
drayton would never do that... he's a business man... no one will mess with his money. the real problem is Drayton. "I just feel we need a fresh start." "we needed a new direction, a new configuration." then he says: "we are not rebuilding" drayton's scapegoats to save drayton
Despite what one may think about Pupura as a GM, he was excellent in his previous job as the player-development guy. The Astros farm system during his tenure has always been good, providing solid guys to the big leagues and as chips for Hunsicker to use for trades.
I don't think that's too disputed, in regards to Purpura's record as the director of player development. It's solid. What is in question, is of course Purpura's decisions (or lack thereof) in the GM role.
Good luck to him finding another player development job. If were an owner, looking at the Jennings trade, I'd hire him as head sanitation engineer.
What does the Jennings trade, or any trades/signings by Pupura has made the past years, has anything to do with player development?
We seemed to be making good trades when Hunsicker was around... was that Drayton's fault too? Lets not try to push the blame when we all know TP sucked as the GM.
Years ago, the Astros were regarded as one of the best oranizations, top-to-bottom, in major league baseball. The farm system was laden with talent, and players were effectively being prepared for the majors. (One of the reasons we had some high visibility Rule V losses is that there was so much freaking talent.) The organization had recognition around the league and won an award one year. Purpura oversaw all of that. That's all gone now. Purpura was a horrible GM (or perhaps just a bad GM depending on the level of culpability one should assing to McLane). The farm system is now a disaster. 1991 - 2005 were something special, baseball fans. Let's hope the Astros can build something that nice again.
Roy Oswalt Brad Lidge Wade Miller Chad Qualls Hunter Pence Troy Patton JR Towles Roy Oswalt Roy Oswalt Chris Burke (meh... Hunsicker picked him thinking he'd be able to get rid of Biggio in 2 years... Drayton said no to that). Chris Sampson Wandy Rodriguez Jason Hirsh Willy Taveras Roy Oswalt All of these guys came thru the system on Pupura's watch.
Thank you !! Bout time someone finally sees the real problem...Draytons wallet !! Lets see the seats empty and se what good ole business know not a damn thing about baseball McClane would do then......
this is what has to happen, if the average joe stops buying tickets than all he is left with are those blocks of seats from the oil companies and as soon as June rolls around and the Stros are 10 games back with no Bagwell and Biggio sendoffs to watch that place will have about 15k in it. Of course they will say 28-32k but many empty seats.
