The Astros finally have their new general manager, but the circumstances surrounding his hiring and the search for their next manager raise some familiar questions about who’s really calling the shots in Houston.
Astros fans, you finally have your new general manager in Randy Flores, but the entire process surrounding his hiring seems to reek of exactly what I warned you about before the offseason even began.
Jim Crane is still running the show, and I’m not convinced that’s about to change anytime
soon.
Don’t get me wrong. Flores has an impressive background in scouting, player development and talent evaluation after spending more than a decade in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He deserves an opportunity to prove himself, and I certainly hope he’s successful. But the way the Astros arrived at this decision raises some legitimate questions about how much authority their new general manager will actually have.
Let’s start with the hiring process itself.
Flores was reportedly among the early candidates interviewed for the position, but the search continued, creating the impression that Houston was looking elsewhere. Then came Milwaukee Brewers assistant general manager Matt Kleine, who certainly appeared to be Crane’s preferred choice.
After all, Crane practically paraded Kleine around like a brand-new toy at the Houston Sports Hall of Fame ceremony a few weeks ago. When an owner brings a potential general manager candidate to a high-profile public event like that, it’s hard not to believe he’s sending a message about the direction he wants to go.
Then, suddenly, things changed.
Kleine didn’t get the job, and the Astros pivoted back to Flores.
Why?
That’s the million-dollar question, and it’s one I believe deserves considerably more attention.
Was it because Kleine reportedly wanted the title of president of baseball operations rather than general manager? Was Crane unwilling to create that position or give someone that level of responsibility?
Or was it something I’ve been concerned about all along: that an established or highly regarded executive considering this opportunity would want the autonomy to run baseball operations without constantly looking over his shoulder at the owner?
We may never know exactly what happened behind closed doors, and I’m not suggesting Flores was an unqualified or undesirable choice. But the circumstances certainly make you wonder.
Because the biggest question surrounding the Astros hasn’t changed. It’s not who Jim Crane hires. It’s how much freedom he’s willing to give that person to do the job.
During Monday’s introductory press conference, Crane indicated that Flores would have full authority over baseball operations decisions.
That’s certainly what Astros fans want to hear.
The problem is that I find it extremely difficult to believe.
Crane has developed a reputation for being heavily involved in baseball operations, and his hands-on approach has become an increasingly significant part of the conversation surrounding this franchise. Whether it’s personnel decisions, roster construction or the influence of trusted advisors like Jeff Bagwell, the perception is that very little happens without Crane’s involvement.
And let’s be clear: Crane owns the team, spends the money and has every right to be involved. Nobody is questioning that.
But there’s a significant difference between an owner who provides financial resources and organizational direction and one who wants to have a substantial say in every major baseball decision.
If you’re going to hire someone to run your baseball operations department, you have to trust that person’s judgment and allow him to build the team according to his vision.
Otherwise, what’s the point?
Another interesting part of the press conference was Crane’s apparent belief that the Astros aren’t far away from being one of baseball’s better teams again.
Rather than suggesting a significant reset or organizational overhaul, Crane seems convinced that a few calculated moves can keep Houston competitive and potentially put the team back among the American League’s legitimate contenders.
That’s certainly an optimistic way of looking at a team that finished 81-81, has obvious deficiencies in the outfield, questions surrounding its starting rotation and a farm system that needs considerable improvement.
I’m not saying this team needs to be completely torn apart and rebuilt from the ground up. There is still plenty of talent on this roster, and with the right moves, the Astros can absolutely remain competitive.
But there’s also a difference between being competitive and being a legitimate World Series contender.
And that’s where the pressure on Flores begins immediately.
He’s essentially being handed a roster with significant holes while being told that the expectation is to get this team back among baseball’s best without taking a step backward.
That’s a difficult assignment for any general manager, particularly one taking over an organization with a strong-willed owner who has made it clear that winning now remains the priority.
Then there’s the other major piece of this offseason puzzle.
Who gets to pick the Astros’ next manager?
This might ultimately tell us more about the power structure of the organization than anything Crane said during Flores’ introductory press conference.
I find it particularly interesting that the Astros were already exploring managerial candidates before Flores was officially hired.
One of those names is former Astros catcher Brad Ausmus, who has longstanding ties to the organization and a close relationship with Jeff Bagwell, one of Crane’s most trusted baseball advisors.
Ausmus was reportedly at Daikin Park for discussions before the Flores hiring was announced.
Now, I’m not saying Ausmus wouldn’t be a qualified candidate. He’s managed at the major league level, understands the organization and has spent recent seasons working with the New York Yankees.
But if the Astros ultimately hire someone who has strong personal relationships with Crane and Bagwell, it’s fair to wonder whether that decision came from the new general manager or the people who were already running the organization before he arrived.
On the other hand, Flores has connections of his own that could make this search extremely interesting.
Take Albert Pujols, for example.
The former Cardinals superstar has expressed interest in becoming a major league manager and has already established himself as a successful manager in winter baseball. His previous discussions with the San Diego Padres reportedly involved demands that complicated the possibility of him landing that position.
Given Flores’ lengthy tenure with the Cardinals, it’s not difficult to imagine Pujols receiving consideration if he’s interested in the Astros job.
And then there’s a name I believe deserves serious attention.
Former Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg.
Ensberg has spent years developing his managerial résumé in the minor leagues, including successful stops throughout the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He’s also someone who understands Houston, the expectations that come with playing here and what it takes to succeed in this market.
Perhaps most interestingly, Ensberg and Flores were teammates at USC, giving them a personal connection that could make him an especially intriguing candidate.
I wouldn’t overlook Ensberg as a legitimate sleeper in this process.
But regardless of whether the next manager is Ausmus, Pujols, Ensberg or someone else entirely, the hiring will provide an important early indication of just how much influence Flores actually has.
If Flores is truly empowered to run baseball operations, shouldn’t he have the final say in selecting the person who will be responsible for managing the roster he constructs?
Shouldn’t the general manager and manager share a philosophy about player development, roster usage, analytics and the overall direction of the team?
And shouldn’t that relationship be established without the owner or his closest advisors determining the outcome before the general manager even gets comfortable in his new office?
Those are reasonable questions, and they’re questions that aren’t going away simply because Crane stood behind a microphone and said the right things.
Look, I want Flores to succeed. Astros fans should want him to succeed. This organization has enjoyed an incredible run of success under Crane’s ownership, and nobody wants to see that championship window close permanently.
But this franchise is also at a crossroads.
The Astros have watched important pieces of their championship teams leave, their organizational depth diminish and their margin for error become increasingly smaller. They need strong leadership, smart personnel decisions and a clear plan for both the present and the future.
What they don’t need is another general manager who is held responsible for every failure while lacking the authority to make the decisions necessary to prevent those failures.
That’s ultimately my biggest concern.
The Astros didn’t just need to hire a new general manager. They needed to establish a clear direction and a structure that gives that general manager the best possible chance to succeed.
Maybe Flores is the right man for the job. Maybe he and Crane will develop a tremendous working relationship and prove all the doubters wrong.
I certainly hope that’s the case.
But after watching how this entire process unfolded, I’m not ready to simply take Crane at his word that things are going to be different.
The next managerial hire will be our first real indication of whether Randy Flores is running the Houston Astros’ baseball operations department or simply occupying the office while Jim Crane continues making the important decisions.
And believe me, that distinction matters.
Astros fans, stay tuned.
Because this offseason has only just begun, and something tells me the most interesting developments are still to come.
