10 Years Later: How the Houston Astros Got to This Point

They say the darkest hour is just before dawn. For the Houston Astros the darkness swallowed them whole for years and maybe, just maybe, has spit them back out. False hope, poor play, and a previous poor ownership has plagued a fanbase to near extinction. With a 2015 season approaching that offers more hope than the previous five seasons combined, lets take a look back at how the Houston Astros got here.

A Foundation That Never Was

After the events of the 2005 World Series, the Astros possessed a roster set to develop into something special. As much as it hurt to get swept in that series, things did not look horrible. The team was young, fun, and had a dominant pitching staff that rivaled every rotation in the bigs. Morgan Ensberg had completed a 36 home run season, Lance Berkman was in his prime, Jason Lane appeared to be a clutch run producer, and Chris Burke looked to be a solid replacement for Craig Biggio at second base. Then 2006 happened. 2006 was an 82-80 season for the team, which in my opinion was the biggest failure of the decade. Sure that is extreme when it is one of the only winning seasons, but it may have been the last year this team truly had a chance.

Morgan Ensberg is the first that comes to mind. After a monster 2005 campaign, many of us expected it again. The production did not happen with his 23 home runs and 58 RBI being less than what we’d hoped for. But with a .396 on base percentage, Morgan was a valuable guy in the middle of the order. However general manager Tim Purpura did not agree, when he traded Ben Zobrist for Aubrey Huff.

This was one of the most wasteful trades in Astros history, with Huff offering little to no improvement over Ensberg’s game. To make matters worse Jason Lane completely collapsed, new acquisition Preston Wilson struggled, and Chris Burke was shielded from getting good playing time. The pitching was hit or miss, with Andy Pettitte having a huge downfall and the offense being unable to supply starters with wins. Oh and then there was Brad Lidge who was a shell of his former self. Had the team just had a few things go their way, they may have slid into the NL Central crown. Instead it was a lost year, and with that, Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens were out the door.

Next: The End of the Biggio Era

The End of Biggio and Start of Stopgaps

Apr 1, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros former player

waves to the crowd before a game against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Stopgaps may very well have been the biggest reason the Astros lost 100 games in three straight years. Owner Drayton McLane at some point stopped seeing the value of a farm system, in my opinion to save money. Regardless of his choices, some teams can still win without great farm systems. The only way to do that is to gamble on spending high dollars, by locking free agents in to lucrative deals.

He did that in 2007 with the addition of Carlos Lee for $100 million. The move was heavily criticized, and for good reason. I refuse to accept that the Lee deal was the worst thing in the world, but it was the spending. Drayton did not understand the value of building a complete team. He would spend money to keep the Astros kind of relevant, and then slack off doing enough to get the team to the promised land. His willingness to bank off of the Biggio and Bagwell success, had come to a crashing halt.

The Astros fielded one of the worst rotations in the game in 2007, leading them to only 72 wins. The additions of pitchers Woody Williams and Jason Jennings were wasteful. Outside of Wandy Rodriguez, the Astros seemed doomed in terms of young pitching help. The only way for the Astros to acquire that help at the time, would be to blow the whole thing up. Under Drayton that just was not going to happen. 2007 would lead to the dismissals of Chris Burke, Jason Lane, Morgan Ensberg, manager Phil Garner, and general manager Tim Purpura. 2008 was the dawn of a new team, but with the same problems.

Under new general manager Ed Wade, the Astros re-tooled a stale roster for the 2008 season. They acquired Miguel Tejada in a blockbuster trade, traded for Jose Valverde, signed Kazuo Matsui, and acquired Randy Wolf midseason. The deals reeked of desperation, but did help the team succeed for one year. In my opinion the Houston Astros completely maxed out at 86 wins, finishing third in the NL Central  despite being outscored. This would be the last of the success in Houston, and last time the fans even had a glimmer of hope.

Next: Doldrums

Doldrums 

Sep 3, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros first baseman

(29) reacts to getting hit by a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

2009 – 2013 really can be all lumped together in a way. I could go through each season, but it would be painful to do so. At the beginning of this stretch it sort of felt like we are being kicked while we are down. By the end of this stretch, losing really did not matter anymore. McLane only seemed focused on selling the team, and Ed Wade was strapped to a chair with his hands tied. Wade lacked a fair shot in Houston, with no farm system, limited resources to spend, and an owner who fired his staff relatively fast. For anyone to blame Ed Wade for the demise of this franchise, I find it to be silly and uneducated.

A sad story that looked apparent in 2009-2010, was Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman. These guys are Houston heroes, guys that every Astros player should look up to. Human nature however I felt took over. Both Houston legends are not stupid, and know their clock was ticking to win a World Series. The Houston Astros showed absolutely no chance of doing so, and they looked uninspired at times.

With an owner pushing rebuilding away for years, the two finally were granted their trades in 2010. Berkman, struggling that season found his way to the Yankees, and Oswalt to the Phillies. Both deals turned out to be failures in terms of the return, with Mark Melancon being the only quality player retrieved. Everyone may remember “top prospect” Brett Wallace coming to the Astros to be Berkman’s replacement. Wallace in recent memory may be regarded as the biggest bust the fans have seen.

Next: Redemption

How Ed Wade Redeemed Himself and Saved the Organization

Aug 17, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Houston Astros first baseman

(28) round the bases after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning at Fenway Park. The Astros defeated the Red Sox 8-1. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The trades in 2010 were not pretty, and Ed Wade’s tenure was sure to be short-lived. However, he had another chance to save grace in 2011. This was a year that a lot of us probably already forgot. Seriously what is there really to be happy for in those 2011-2013 seasons on the field? The Astros lost 100 games for the first time in history, scoring only 615 runs. Carlos Lee was looking like a grandpa fast, and a rebuilding  effort had to take place. Two key trades took place, Michael Bourn went to the Braves, and Hunter Pence went to the Phillies. These trades took a fanbase that was down, to done with the team.

The trades marked a new beginning for the Astros, and the diehards for the most part understood. The mainstream fans remained unhappy. Hunter Pence signified hope, hustle, a fan-friendly guy, and a player you build a team around. However, Pence stood no chance of re-signing with the Astros during a rebuild and needed to be shipped.

The return for Pence was steep, Jon Singleton, Jarred Cosart, Josh Zeid, and Domingo Santana were all shipped to Houston. This trade alone could signify a legacy that Wade left behind for future general manager Jeff Luhnow. Singleton is the first baseman of the future (fingers crossed), Cosart netted top prospect Colin Moran, Santana is a toolsy guy that holds high value, and Zeid well, we can’t win them all.

With the 11th overall selection in the 2011, draft Bobby Heck and Ed Wade went with George Springer. Springer is just getting his feet wet in the majors, but has become the face of the new Astros with a ceiling higher than any offensive prospect in some time. Whether it was ultimately Wade’s decision or not to make Springer his guy, he should still get credit for yet again sending this team in the right direction. Despite a rash of solid moves by Jeff Luhnow in recent times, where is this team right now without Springer being on the roster? I’ll tell you what, the writers are not predicting over 77 wins.

Next: Recent Years

Recent Years

September 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow before the game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In 2012 the Astros clock completely flipped. At long lost owner Drayton McLane was able to unload the team to business owner Jim Crane. With this sell, the Houston Astros were forced into the American League and the dwindling fanbase yet again was upset. It would mean one more year in the NL Central, and it was another rough one at that. The transition of Jeff Luhnow to the front office brought on a strategy to gut almost everything in the organization. The RBI leader in 2012? J.D. Martinez with 55–ouch!

The move to the American League proved to be tough in 2013, and not only because of the play on the field. CSN Houston debuted, an all Houston sports station. The flaw? Less than 40% of Houston households could watch the games, and the entire Astros five state region was sacrificed. With a move to a new league, a team losing 100 games, and no ability to watch the games on TV, 2013 was rock bottom.

With rock bottom there was only room to go up. Following a disappointing 51-win 2013 campaign, some excitement brewed only with the hardcore fans. Luhnow had finally gotten this team to a point where it was time to rise. With Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh leading the way as surprising aces, the team assembled a top-heavy roster. While some of the best teams in MLB lacked true superstar power, the Astros had theirs in Jose Altuve and George Springer.

Had the hard part been done? Maybe not entirely, with a subpar bullpen and a lineup that fell off the map after the four to five slots, the Astros only won 70 games. Regardless it was a step in the right direction. Luhnow, always good for a head scratcher or two, fired manager Bo Porter and failed to sign number one overall pick Brady Aiken. Porter never seemed like a guy that fit the current plan, and it was evident after the firing that Luhnow is the kingpin of this operation. 2014 also marked a second straight year the Astros were not seen on TV, despite a slight upswing in attendance. Oh did I forget to mention that 5’5 guy Jose Altuve? He was nothing short of brilliant in winning the batting title.

Next: Hope

Root Sports, Prospects, Hope

Jun 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) hits a home run during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

We fast forward to the present day of Astros baseball. For the first time since 2008 the Astros now field a team that shows .500 capabilities. Even so, the 2008 team did not provide a chance for long-term success. The Astros find themselves in a place with key prospects on the spring roster currently in George Springer, Jon Singleton, Carlos Correa, Mark Appel, Colin Moran, and Asher Wojciechowski just to name a few. Not all of them are major league ready, obviously, but the faces are apparent and known by the hardcore fans. 

With success on the way, will the mainstream fans come back just for simple improvement? Does a .500 team mean that they fill the stadium like the glory days of the mid 2000’s? It will take some time, but there are a few factors that fare well for Houston. The Astros being back on Root Sports Southwest is a start. To my knowledge, Root Sports still does not have the same range that Fox Sports Houston had, but it’s a start nonetheless. The majority of Houston can now see their team once again.

Second, the Astros will not be short on superstar power. George Springer, Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Mark Appel, Jon Singleton, and maybe Dallas Keuchel? These guys all have a chance to be beloved by the fans if things go right. The Astros are one of the most top-heavy teams in baseball and now it is all about depth.

Finally, fans love the long ball. In 2015 the Astros will feature the most powerful lineup they have boasted in several years. With the additions of Jed Lowrie, Evan Gattis, and Colby Rasmus the already powerful team should grow stronger. The instant offense of George Springer and Chris Carter is a spectacle for fans to see. It is worth the price of admission alone when these guys are hot!

Next: In Conclusion