The Astros reached agreement with manager A.J. Hinch on a “revised” contract at some point earlier in the offseason, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports. His new agreement is said to increase his earnings and “put[] him in position to remain with the club longer.” All told, says Drellich, Hinch now appears to have a guaranteed term that runs through 2018.
Precise details remain hazy in large part because the exact terms of Hinch’s original contract were never entirely clear. Reports at the time pegged it at three years and an option, but he has suggested that may not have been the case.
Regardless of whether this deal is properly termed an extension, or whether it is just includes the exercise of an option year, it obviously reflects an enhanced commitment from the organization. Hinch impressed on all fronts last year, bringing a broad skillset to the job and drawing positive reviews from GM Jeff Luhnow and owner Jim Crane.
The proof was in the pudding, of course, as the new-look ’Stros surged to the post-season and very nearly took the AL West. With a host of exciting young players returning, and a few key additions plugged in over the winter, expectations are high in Houston for 2016. That doesn’t mean a repeat will be easy; the entire American League has hopes of contending, and the western division in particular seems wide open.
He deserves it. He’s done a fantastic job and I still think he deserved Manager of the Year over Bannister.
Bannister had five players with $100M contracts and one $80M contract on his roster to put out on the field. Hinch had many inexperienced players he had to handle and no position player making more than $8M.
Paying people a lot of money doesn’t always equal success on the field. He lost his best pitcher to TJ…he had a terrible bullpen at the start of the year. One of his highest paid players, Choo, was hitting under .100 at the end of April. Beltre missed a lot of games. Elvis had another poor year. Odor had to be sent down to the minors. The pitching staff was a mis-match of has beens and never will be’s. On may 4th, the team was already 8 games under 500. He kept them positive and suddenly turned things around with a three game sweep over Houston. The Rangers were in fact 13-6 against the Astros last year and wound up over coming a an 8 game Houston lead over Texas in August to win the division. Bannister won the award because the Rangers did well down the stretch and the Astros did not.
(not a Rangers fan, either—but give them respect)
Sounds like a BUNCH of excuses. No way he shoulda won over Hinch, with that expensive payroll.
The Angels had a bigger payroll. Seattle had a bigger payroll than Houston. No….The Rangers won and the Astros blew a big lead.
Excuses? Last I checked Rangers won that Division they don’t need any excuses, they overcame all of that and still won.
I think most would agree that the Astros had more talent too, just because they tanked for a decade and got it through the draft as opposed to free agency doesn’t make them any less talented.
Amazingly enough they didn’t tank for a decade…. Also equally amazing they only have two players you can considered tanking players, Correa and McCullers….
Lance listed a HOST of excuses why Bannister should have won. 135million dollar payroll to 63million. Lowry, Springer, and Feldman missed significant time
Most people like WHO? Astros fans? Anyone else who thinks that is SMOKIN
excuses are for losers. The Rangers overcame a lot to beat the Astros who played poorly the final six weeks when they had a big lead on the division. If payrolls won titles, the teams like the Pirates, Astros, A’s, Rays and Royals would not have been in the playoffs the last few years. Hinch did a wonderful job but didn’t win it when he had a big lead. Bannister’s club overcame and WON when even people with the team had written them off.
Wow! You obviously only follow one team. The Rangers were playing with 1/2 team all year. Yes the Astros did an amazing job last year, and they should be a powerhouse in the AL West for the next several years. But you can’t discount the crazy injuries that Bannister helped navigate.
Good for Hinch, he’s a bright young manager. He’s no John Farrell but he’s solid.
Really? You think John Farrell is a great manager? Having one great season (2013) doesn’t make him great in my eyes.
Yeah come on man, the trolling is making us all look bad! Leave the trolling to fans of teams that are awful and have nothing better to talk about.