The Astros are considering Peter Woodfork for their open general manager position, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jake Kaplan of The Athletic (Twitter link). Woodfork currently works in the commissioner’s office as senior VP of baseball operations.
Woodfork previously served as assistant GM of the Diamondbacks. MLBTR’s Ben Nicholson-Smith profiled him as a candidate to run a baseball ops department back in 2011. Whether and when he’ll interview are not yet known.
We’ve only heard of one other candidate to this point: Bobby Evans, former Giants GM. These aren’t super-youthful, up-and-coming types with outsider perspectives. They’re respected, well-established executives. That’s hardly surprising, under the circumstances.
Taking over the Houston ops outfit is a massive opportunity that comes with great responsibility. It’s easy enough to envision success on the field with little more than a few tweaks. The roster is loaded with stars. But there are some payroll challenges and tough decisions soon to come. And the backdrop here — the sign-stealing scandal that engulfed the organization and cost former GM Jeff Luhnow his job — obviously can’t be ignored.
Owner Jim Crane fired Luhnow after a league investigation determined that the executive had overseen a culture that enabled that unfortunate cheating episode to occur. At the same time, of course, Luhnow had pioneered an aggressive and savvy approach that helped the organization secure a World Series title in 2017 and nearly add another in the just-completed season.
Did I miss something or has Crane not actually apologized?
Nothing to apologise for.
*scalding take*
Are you really that dumb?
What should he apologize for? Having employees that chose to do something wrong?
How about as owner of a business taking responsibility for creating a culture that facilitated wrong behavior. As the owner you are responsible for all aspects, you are responsible for the people you hire. It’s not rocket science.
David oh so basically the vast majority of MLB owners should apologize for doing the same thing. Love how people acting like the Astros are the only guilty team lol
only guilty team to be caught (Red Sox too but that’s an Astros guy too)
David722 – excellent response
Jaltuvefan: I expect nothing less. So the Astros cheated in ‘19 you’re saying? You can’t say they didn’t cheat because there is no proof, yet accuse other MLB teams of being complicit in cheating with no proof. That’s disingenuous and illogical. But, it seems to be a staple for Astros fans. I already know your response to me will be to bring up A-Rod from two decades ago.
Don’t take it personally. Everyone stays on this because most of you don’t just admit it and move on. You get super defensive and blame everyone else, which makes you guys look really bad. I don’t mean this as an insult, only as a point of contention regarding many statements I’ve seen on these sites. It’s not a personal attack so please don’t take it that way.
did the steroid yankees apologize?
No, but they told one writer to not vote for Derek Jeter since his career benefitted from all of his teammates being on PED’s.
So whiplash, you did exactly as predicted – go to the Yankees 20 years ago – so lame bro. We are talking about what is going on in the league now.
And, there’s no anti-Houston bias; they were caught because one of their own turned them in! Conspiracy theories, unsubstantiated blame, and finally, the 1996-2000 Yankees.
You’re predictable and look worse every time you do that (fans in general). And, it doesn’t relieve the Astros from cheating. You all take it so personally.
For an accurate analogy, It’s like getting caught stealing a car and bringing up someone who stole candy 20 years ago. It’s childish and then you respond with insults.
I always liked the Astros, and after they beat the Yankees I rooted for them to win. I liked Bergman and Altuve too. However, after they cheated and seeing their response and the response of their fans, I’ve lost all respect for them. It’s just my opinion based on facts not conjecture.
Also, you can’t comparePEDs, because every team had players using them, with this organizational scandal with only 2 teams were proven to have cheated. Sorry, but you guys are simply wrong on this.
Yes he apologized in his press conference.
He did apologize in his press conference but he was not involved in the sign stealing.
Would you apologize for receiving a speeding ticket for going 72 in a 65 knowing that the cars behind you were going 70?
what a stupid analogy… damn dude
How about ignorance?
How about doing a league wide investigation before saying it’s ignorance? I would bet $10,000 that other teams are doing similar technological relays to their players. But typical anti-Houston bias led to this witch hunt. And typical anti-Houston bias from the rest of the league’s fans is really tired. Move on
Yep put me down right there with you
I would not say all the exact same way but yes ALL teams steal signs. We were doing it while playing as kids….
He did apologize at his press conference……
who cares at this point
He hired Dusty Baker. That’s supposed to serve as an apology.
No he DID apologize in his press conference…..
Yay bring in the commissioner’s lap dog to keep everything on the up and up.
Some times you need a little wood to get things in line!
Gotta get stink off this franchise. Expect a ton high and inside pitches all year!
Players will enact their own brand of justice.
Then that brand is vigilante justice. The MLB has meted out punishment. Live with it.
There are absolutely arguments to be made in favor of vigilante justice in certain cases.
i am curious did any players carry our their own justice on Bonds, Sosa, or Big Mac ?
No, but those cheaters were destroyed by the MLB, even called before congress. These astro crooks/players with zero integrity, dishonest thieving crooks, stole a world series and have not been punished. SAD.
Then you can expect the same thing back at that team…..childish
along with dusty Baker this would be a great choice. crane is kicking john Henry’s butt right now.
How exactly is Crane kicking Henry’s butt? The Red Sox haven’t even received their punishment and they already had a GM in place, Bloom, who the industry it incredibly high on and Houston would be thrilled to have been able to hire had they had this opening earlier.
Cora’s replacement is going to be chosen by Bloom. GMs in Boston don’t get many second chances so it’s not surprising Bloom is taking his time with a managerial decision. And it’s not as if Ron Roenicke can’t handle spring activities, the guy has plenty of coaching experience and some managerial as well.
Did they find this guy in the road?
Yes they took the road not taken.
He was actually one of John Henry’s/Theo’s first hires in Boston back in 2003. Supposed to be top-notch. And coming out of the comish’s office gives him some street cred.
it should. i feel Crane must be trying everything he can to try and rebulid the organization’s integrity. first Dusty and now theyre looking at a guy who works for the commissioner.
Very solid choice, Harvard grad, with experience in Boston, Phoenix & commissioners office.
Worst franchise in any major U.S. sport. Sad. They should force sale, rename and start over. Not sure how you can overcome all the cheating they did and women beaters they hired and even women they taunted. Made of mockery of the game.
So far it’s only Osuna. Who else are you reference that ” beat woman” on the Astros?
Last I seen the Yankees have two. in Chapman and German.
it really seems like the osuna deal was the being of the downfall for the astros.
i just prefer they release the guy honestly that is not the type of player we want on our teams here in houston … he would fit right in with the Yanks of course.
Laughable if you actually believe what you just said. Who are you to think anybody even cares about your opinion?
so what, you just expect them to fold? hardly likely.
Woodfork had a front row seat watching his colleagues and Hazen fix the problems caused by the predecessor. Taking the GM role in Houston is still a great situation with the parts they currently have. Although I would have hired a GM before hiring a manager.
‘Savvy and aggressive approach’ ? – he tanked for three years.
Stick a wood fork in it!