Astros missing playoffs for second straight year may finally force Jim Crane to pivot

It might seem like I am an eternal pessimist, but I do believe there are silver linings in every cloud. The Houston Astros got swept by the Atlanta Braves and now trail the Texas Rangers by a game for the AL West crown, and the Chicago White Sox by two games for the last wild card spot. They are going to two cities they do not play well in. In terms of the playoff chase, it does not look good for the hometown nine.

However, behind every challenge is an opportunity. Make no mistake, I am not predicting victory at all. I don't see this road trip going well for a number of reasons. I think a 2-4 finish is likely in the offing and that should not be enough to win the AL West or advance to the wild card. I would be personally ashamed to finish 79-83 and advance to the postseason. However, failing to make the postseason two years in a row and dropping below .500 opens up an opportunity for Jim Crane and company.

They have already jettisoned Dana Brown. They will also jettison Joe Espada if all reporting is true. It is fundamentally impossible to justify keeping him after fading horribly down the stretch. So, how is this an opportunity? Simply put, this team has been hanging on for years. Dusty Baker was a caretaker that just happened to last four seasons. Dana Brown wasn't a serious hire meant to change the direction of the franchise. They just hoped to limp along and see the good times roll.

Espada himself was essentially seen as an extension of Baker. He was a guy that the players seemed to like and they thought that hanging out with Baker since 2020 would rub off on him and keep the magic going. It worked through 2024. Failing this season and failing in the way that they have forces change. Real change. You have a new guy coming in on top and he will hire people under him to usher him.

Change is never easy and often scary, but it brings with it opportunity for the Astros to get things right in the front office and the dugout to stop the downward slide.

It won't be easy. Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Christian Walker are all in their mid thirties and highly paid. They aren't likely to get better and more than likely will be a year worse and not a year better. They are roughly making a combined 70 million dollars as well. That is nearly a third of your payroll. A new GM will have to make some dramatic moves because this team is beyond minor tweaks. A new regime gives new opportunities to do that.

It also presents an opportunity to really beat the bushes to hire a new manager. The inside track shouldn't be a part of this equation. They can interview experienced former managers and the younger former players that seem to be the new wave of managers. Again, this is an opportunity for some creativity and a thoughtful process that can produce the best guy for this roster and the roster we will likely have in the next few seasons.

I want my team to win and will always root for them to win, but a part of me is frightened by that outcome. I am frightened by the prospect of winning a horrible division and having that convince Crane and company that they are on the right track. This team has been getting steadily worse since they won the World Series in 2022. Some of that is the natural aging process. Some of that are key players from that team that have moved on. However, most of it is a regime that has kicked the can down the road and spun its wheels because of a lack of vision and a lack of autonomy.

New voices in the front office can solve both of those issues if they are allowed to. Jim Crane has long talked about the importance of winning. He consistently has spent more money than any other owner in Astros history since they have been on the run. He commits plenty of financial resources. It is time to stop the brain drain and bring back smart baseball. The opportunity is there for the taking and now there is no excuse not to get it done.

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