Headlines

  • Buck Showalter Will Not Return As Mets Manager In 2024
  • Tim Wakefield Passes Away
  • Felix Bautista To Undergo Tommy John Surgery, Signs Through 2025 Season
  • Rockies Sign Charlie Blackmon To One-Year Extension
  • Reds Sign Nick Krall To Extension, Promote Him To President Of Baseball Operations
  • Giants Fire Gabe Kapler
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Astros Fire Assistant General Manager Scott Powers

By Darragh McDonald | November 11, 2022 at 4:10pm CDT

The Houston Astros have fired assistant general manager Scott Powers, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. This comes on the heels of the firing of general manager James Click from earlier today. As noted by Passan, Click hired Powers away from the Dodgers back in January.

The Astros parting ways with Click was the first domino to fall in a surprising sequence of events following the Astros winning the 2022 World Series. Despite reports of friction between Click and owner Jim Crane, it had been speculated by many that a World Series victory would nonetheless be enough to overcome those tensions and keep the gravy train rolling. Instead, it seems that the hurdles have been too high to mount, despite the Astros emerging triumphant in 2022. After Click was removed from the picture, it had been hypothesized that some of his hires would also be let go, and that has indeed come to pass with Powers getting sent out the door behind Click.

Powers was the Dodgers director of quantitative analysis up until he was hired by the Astros in January of 2022. Also hired as an AGM at that time was Andrew Ball, who had worked with Click in the Rays’ system. No word has been released about his status but it’s fair to wonder at this point if Crane is determined at this point to dismiss anyone he deems to be a Click guy. It’s worth reiterating that Click was hired after the Astros’ sign-stealing efforts in 2017 came to light after the 2019 season. President of baseball operations Jeff Luhnow was fired and Click hired shortly thereafter. Although the team has continued performing well, it seems that things haven’t been as rosy behind the scenes. Despite the firings, Click and Powers and anyone else who ends up leaving will surely get plenty of interest from other teams around the league based on their track record of results on the field.

The Astros are now facing a large amount of front office turnover. In addition to Click and Powers, and whatever other moves may or may not be coming, a few executives have already departed for jobs with other organizations. A month ago, the Giants hired Pete Putila, another Houston AGM, to be their general manager. Oz Ocampo, a long-time scout and executive with the Astros, was recently hired to be an AGM with the Marlins.

This puts the Astros in a strange and perhaps unprecedented position. On the one hand, they are reigning world champions, having just hoisted the trophy less than a week ago. That’s just the latest success marker in a long run of results, as they have qualified for the ALCS in each of the last six seasons. On the other hand, they will have to quickly scramble to fill out a front office that is hemorrhaging members while making plans for their title defense in 2023.

Many have wondered if David Stearns could be a candidate due to a couple of factors. He recently stepped down from his role as the Brewers’ president of baseball operations and into a more advisory position, and also was an AGM with the Astros before going to Milwaukee. However, he is still under contract for one more year and has said he’s not going anywhere, reiterating that position today to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. “I’m just going to reiterate what I said previously: I’m not going anywhere,” Stearns said “I’m committed to advising Mark [Attanasio, Milwaukee’s principal owner] and [general manager Matt Arnold] in any way I can. And that’s that.”

Share 0 Retweet 7 Send via email0

Houston Astros David Stearns James Click Jim Crane Scott Powers

Diamondbacks Outright Humberto Castellanos, Tyler Zuber, Buddy Kennedy
Main
Rays Hire Jon Daniels As Senior Advisor For Baseball Operations
View Comments (192)

Comments

  1. Eovaldismemes

    11 months ago

    Nah they just firing ppl now for the hell of it

    23
    Reply
    • whiplash

      11 months ago

      No kidding

      5
      Reply
    • Gothamcityriddler

      11 months ago

      Even when they win they’re losers. Ahahaha!

      12
      Reply
    • Jaysfan1981

      11 months ago

      This is not surprising. Trash cans aside, Lucknow (spelling?) And Hinch built this team still. Sure the current FO got to frost the tips and style it how they wanted. But the Core and replacements from last WS were already in place

      Owners know next year is still theirs and wants to get ready for 5plus years from now

      I ain’t mad if I’m a Houston fan…can’t win em all, better to set yourself up to win more often than not

      Next year is still going to be Houston in a run during the playoffs, will it be NY or Sea or TO that gets to try and knock them off

      1
      Reply
  2. Hello, Newman

    11 months ago

    What in the world is going on Houston. Why??

    20
    Reply
    • .

      11 months ago

      Didn’t they just win the World Series a few days ago??? Why would these people be fired? Never seen anything like it before….They trying to get out in front of something?? WTF is up with this???

      24
      Reply
      • Hello, Newman

        11 months ago

        Toxic culture. I cannot imagine much good coming from this.

        15
        Reply
        • Hello, Newman

          11 months ago

          Has potential for a great espn 30 for 30 though

          15
          Reply
        • Westside guy

          11 months ago

          Perhaps the owner wants a new GM team that brings novel, forward-thinking ideas – like banging on oil drums instead of trash cans.

          36
          Reply
        • BaseballisLife

          11 months ago

          Nah man. They are moving totally digital. An electronic drum set.

          That sends a signal to a mic built into their caps telling them the sign.

          11
          Reply
        • .

          11 months ago

          Rated TV-MA

          5
          Reply
        • getrealgone2

          11 months ago

          They should hire Dave Raven then

          Reply
        • Larry Brown's crank

          11 months ago

          caw!….caw!

          Reply
        • Larry Brown's crank

          11 months ago

          Sugardick Chrysler, Plymouth

          1
          Reply
        • Poster formerly known as . . .

          11 months ago

          Thank you. Best laugh I’ve had all day (and those are important)!

          Reply
        • Poster formerly known as . . .

          11 months ago

          These thanks are addressed to Westside guy.

          Reply
        • Samuel

          11 months ago

          Hello, Newman;

          Can you explain the “toxic culture”?

          Did the players look upset playin in that environment?

          3
          Reply
        • Hello, Newman

          11 months ago

          I was referring to the front office personnel.

          2
          Reply
        • Samuel

          11 months ago

          Hello, Newman;

          It appears the toxic culture with the FO personnel has been addressed.

          2
          Reply
        • Hello, Newman

          11 months ago

          You got that right Columbo.

          1
          Reply
        • websoulsurfer

          11 months ago

          Crane sold the team? Oh, then the toxic culture has not been addressed. You were joking.

          1
          Reply
      • Samuel

        11 months ago

        TrumboJumbo;

        The Astros have been contender 8 years in a row. They will be next year as well. Beyond that is questionable.

        The people that came in there pretty much lived off of what was already there. Their drafts haven’t been especially good, so their farm system is weak – it ranks among the 2 or 3 worst in MLB with their only ranked prospect being pitcher Hunter Brown.

        The trade the owner killed at the deadline for Willson Contreras was ridiculous. Click wanted to trade a quality affordable pitcher under control for 3 more years for a 2 month rental. Furthermore, the Astros are a team built around defense and pitching. This trade would have brought in an offensive catcher that plays poor D and can’t handle a staff. And now rumors are that Click wanted to bring in Contreras in free agency. In short, he was taking the team and organization in a different direction than the one that had them contending for 8 years straight. The owner was losing control of his franchise.

        The Astros survived the loss of Correa. But when Altuve and Bregman start going downhill or retire, that franchise has no people in the pipeline to replace them. It takes years to bring a farm system up to speed. Click and his people were in there for 3 years, and nothing of quality has been built thus far.

        One other thing…..

        Last year Astros pitching coach Brent Strom unexpectedly resigned. Said he wanted to retire. A month or two later he took a job to be the DBacks pitching coach. ? Brent Strom BUILT the Astros pitching system, and it’s one of the best in MLB. A good chance he had a discussion with the owner when he left.

        The Astros will compete again in 2023. But beyond that looks murky. Mr. Crane is doing the right thing to get his franchise back on track. I expect he’ll bring back either David Stearns from the Brewers or Sig Mejdal from the Orioles to run Baseball Ops – both of whom will get the Astros back on track before it’s too late.

        8
        Reply
        • Larry Brown's crank

          11 months ago

          that is a thorough and reasonable retort.

          2
          Reply
        • .

          11 months ago

          Sam, I understand everything but the Urquidy/Contreras part…The owner got mad at him?? For “exploring the possibility” of the trade?

          1
          Reply
        • mt in baltimore

          11 months ago

          Would Team President be enough to bring back Mike Elias?

          1
          Reply
        • Thomas E Snyder

          11 months ago

          It WON’T be Stearns.

          Reply
        • Samuel

          11 months ago

          TrumboJumbo;

          No……

          The Astros owner blocked the trade. Click and the Cubs had agreed to it.

          This Crane bashing is out of hand. He’s doing the right thing. Everyone loves Dusty. He didn’t get along with Click. Do we bash Dusty as well?

          P.S. This is hardly the first time I’ve seen a team win the WS and wind up firing their FO head or manager. I’m tired of writing MLB history for people that don’t know it. There are books out there; there are countless Internet sites that can be accessed for free.

          Reply
        • Samuel

          11 months ago

          No.

          Reply
        • Samuel

          11 months ago

          Why not?

          Reply
        • .

          11 months ago

          Didn’t know that Dusty and Click didn’t get along. That is a good enough reason alone.

          Reply
        • thunderecho

          11 months ago

          Click did not want Baker to use Peña as #2 hitter. When Peña struggled, Click wanted him dropped in the lineup.

          Click was not fond of Dusty’s “old school” methods. They clashed over the use of the Astros pitchers as well.

          They disagreed over using Maldonado as the starting catcher.

          The Astros have enormous turnover in the Front Office and on the roster since the cheating scandal but the Astros keep winning. Additionally, the Astros “weak” farm system which has been ranked near the bottom for the last 4 years keeps producing talent.

          4
          Reply
        • Samuel

          11 months ago

          “The owner got mad at him?? For “exploring the possibility” of the trade?”
          –
          TrumboJumbo;

          Where do you get this nonsense from?

          Read the ESPN article where Dusty Baker explained the situation in an interview……

          Click wanted the OK to make the trade. Crane (the owner) WENT TO HIS MANAGER to ask him what he thought. Dusty explained to him why he thought the trade would cause a problem. That’s when Crane blocked the trade. Now……

          What Crane is upset about is why HE had to get involved. He has a FO head and a manager. They should be on the same wavelength. Jeff Luhnow (FO) and his people were in sync with A.J. Hinch and his people (manager / coaches). Crane would ask them about a trade and they’d be united in what they wanted to do….BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THE SAME WAY, and understood what the organization was trying to do.

          So Crane is clearing out Click and his people because they’re trying to take the Astros in a different direction.

          I’ve been on here numerous times and said that the Rays and Astros have been the 2 most influential organizations following Billy Beane and Moneyball. They both are heavily analytic based. However, the Rays and Astros go about running their organizations it totally different manners. That’s the conflict here. Crane needs to get people in that know the style that Jeff Luhnow put in….which worked and made the Astros the best organization in MLB.

          3
          Reply
        • .

          11 months ago

          I had thought the owner was pissed at the GM for trying to trade Urquidy away

          Reply
        • itsgonnahappen

          11 months ago

          Mike Elias would be my #1 choice right now…

          Reply
        • Samuel

          11 months ago

          itsgonnahappen;

          Elias has spent years getting the Orioles together. Contract aside, he wants to see that through.

          Sig or Stearns can come back.

          Tidbit – the Orioles won the season series against the Astros, 4-3. I watched those games and the O’s looked like they outplayed the Astros most of the time. The O’s and Guardians are loaded. I like both, but narrowly favor the O’s. Elias isn’t walking away from that. It may well be his top lifetime achievement.

          1
          Reply
        • Hotstovemelts

          11 months ago

          Samuel… big bad feelings police at it again. Lol you’re ridiculous!

          2
          Reply
        • Hotstovemelts

          11 months ago

          Hahahaha this Crane bashing is getting out of hand!! You’re out of hand feelings police!

          1
          Reply
      • slider32

        11 months ago

        You have to go back to Charlie Finley in the 70’s to see this kind of owner!

        1
        Reply
        • Astros Hot Takes

          11 months ago

          you are correct – Finley knew baseball, and fundamentally built those A’s himself

          3
          Reply
        • Samuel

          11 months ago

          Astros Hot Takes;

          That A’s team was the last great team in MLB. There will never be another one.

          They had everything – elite RH starters, elite LH starters; a HOF closer; speed; power; defense; clutch hitting. I once went down when they came to my city and watched a 4 game series. Not once in that series did they make a mistake on the field….not an error….a mistake. They could beat opponents a dozen ways. And yes, an insurance man put that team together.

          4
          Reply
      • yanks_aaronx3

        11 months ago

        Maybe they got word or some sort of proof that the team was still cheating again.

        1
        Reply
    • Larry Brown's crank

      11 months ago

      I was wondering the same thing, newman….lickety split, too!

      1
      Reply
  3. ARC 2

    11 months ago

    Thanks for the world series but you all are out of here. The owner now will take all the glory for the world series win.

    28
    Reply
    • neo

      11 months ago

      The owner just wants to get ahead of firing people who must pay the price for all the cheating that was done to achieve the championship.

      1
      Reply
      • ARC 2

        11 months ago

        So are you saying they cheated again? I do not like the Astros but I didn’t see any cheating this time around.

        Reply
  4. Taste Your Own Lips

    11 months ago

    What a classy organization

    32
    Reply
    • Astros2017&22Champs

      11 months ago

      Says the guy with that absurd name!

      22
      Reply
      • baseballpun

        11 months ago

        Ethan comes from the Connecticut Sugardicks, a family known for its class and sophistication since Revolutionary times.

        55
        Reply
        • .

          11 months ago

          First Cousin of The Baldwin Sisters on Waltons Mountain…

          7
          Reply
        • ac000000

          11 months ago

          His family built this country. And they are cousins of the Hancocks

          16
          Reply
        • gofish 2

          11 months ago

          Speak louder, son..

          SUGARDICK! OUR PRICES HAVE NEVER BEEN LOWER!

          4
          Reply
        • Larry Brown's crank

          11 months ago

          pun….its like the Hatfield and McCoy’s when the sourpuss family rides into town!!!

          4
          Reply
        • sergefunction

          11 months ago

          The Sugardick family are olde-time blueveineys.

          1
          Reply
        • BuyBuyMets

          11 months ago

          I used to own a Baldwin organ.
          No relation

          1
          Reply
      • bmp010

        11 months ago

        Lel

        2
        Reply
      • dirkg

        11 months ago

        Something tells me Ethan Sugardick is actually Mattress Mack trolling this board. Clever Mr. Sugardick, clever….

        3
        Reply
      • disadvantage

        11 months ago

        Imagine trying to make the comment “what a classy organization” about the Astros look bad by attacking the username of the commenter who wrote it, while having a username that epitomizes a non-classy, cheating organization.

        7
        Reply
        • flamingbagofpoop

          11 months ago

          Huh? I’m guessing this sounded way better in your head.

          6
          Reply
        • disadvantage

          11 months ago

          @flaming – you misspelled “I don’t have a good comeback so I am instead going to try to downplay your comment to look superior”. It’s really not all that hard to figure out.

          Reply
      • LordD99

        11 months ago

        Ethan’s been dealing with trauma all his life due to his last name. Be kind.

        3
        Reply
    • Rocker49

      11 months ago

      What a clASSy name you have.

      2
      Reply
    • Rocker49

      11 months ago

      People on this tread are clueless if they think Click was responsible for that World Series win. This whole thing has Luhnow all over it, hopefully he is hired back.

      6
      Reply
      • jjd002

        11 months ago

        Man would that start some crap. Wish he’d come back – if the true ring leaders were welcomed back (Cora and Beltran) why shouldn’t Lunhow be welcomed back?

        1
        Reply
      • jjd002

        11 months ago

        But really wasn’t an offer Crane thought he would accept.

        Reply
      • Surly_03

        11 months ago

        Astros players by Championship-Win-Percentage-Added, 2022 playoffs:

        Players acquired by Jeff Luhnow: +94.5%

        Players acquired by James Click: -9.0%

        Bullpen (2022 playoff championship-win %-added):

        Hector Neris +9.9%

        Ryne Stanek +1.9%

        Will Smith 0.0%

        Phil Maton 0.0%

        Seth Martinez 0.0%

        Pedro Baez 0.0%

        Rafael Montero -10.7%

        1
        Reply
        • yeah, sure!

          11 months ago

          Win % added- not % of players on the roster.

          4
          Reply
        • flamingbagofpoop

          11 months ago

          Yeah, it’s pretty funny that someone so condescending can’t read. Perhaps baseball should take a backseat to basic literacy.

          2
          Reply
      • Poster formerly known as . . .

        11 months ago

        Luhnow sued the franchise over his firing. I don’t know how that suit was resolved, if it ever was.

        1
        Reply
  5. ruff kuntry

    11 months ago

    They just won a World Series, and they fired their GM and assistant GM???

    11
    Reply
    • yeah, sure!

      11 months ago

      pure chaos energy, I love this.

      2
      Reply
  6. fffbbb

    11 months ago

    Wow Jim Crane is the Dan Snyder of MLB. Whoever is desperate enough to take the GM job should be embarrassed. Looking at you Jeff Bagwell.

    7
    Reply
    • Orioles2024

      11 months ago

      Dan Snyder doesn’t win.

      15
      Reply
      • otis13

        11 months ago

        Doesn’t cheat, either.

        10
        Reply
        • Astros2017&22Champs

          11 months ago

          Its clear his team doesn’t cheat. They’re absolutely terrible.

          2
          Reply
      • ChuckyNJ

        11 months ago

        The NFL is not baseball!

        1
        Reply
  7. RyanD44

    11 months ago

    Man, the Astros just really hate their World Series championship. Haha.

    It does seem like they have their eyes on someone in particular to run the show though. Nixing that Contreras trade was the writing on the wall for James Click.

    I wonder if Theo Epstein has dipped is toes in the sand with Mr. Crane. Can’t think of any other prominent big name GMs on the open market right now. Stearns could technically be a fit here if both sides had interest, but Stearns has said he’s staying in Milwaukee as an advisor. Any other big names out there I’m missing, or do they just plan to promote from within/hire a lower ranked position from another organization and give a promotion?

    1
    Reply
    • pt57

      11 months ago

      Could still be Stearns. Astros send compensation to Brewers; hard to think the Brewers would say no.

      1
      Reply
      • Thomas E Snyder

        11 months ago

        Stearns said, “NO’ again today.

        1
        Reply
    • Redwolves3

      11 months ago

      Houston can have Zaidi

      2
      Reply
    • thelegendaryharambe

      11 months ago

      The Contreras trade deserved to be nixed. Like, holy overpay!

      4
      Reply
      • RyanD44

        11 months ago

        Send McCormick for Stearns, and sign the guy that I think would make the Astros even more of a powerhouse: Brandon Nimmo. Get another high OBP guy in front of Alvarez, Bregman and Tucker.

        Altuve
        Nimmo
        Alvarez
        Bregman
        Tucker
        Pena

        That would be extremely difficult to navigate.

        7
        Reply
        • Thomas E Snyder

          11 months ago

          Houston does not need another Carlos Gomez.

          1
          Reply
      • RyanD44

        11 months ago

        On the surface, that Contreras trade looked like an overpay, but when you get into the numbers, Urquidy has benefitted as much as anyone in MLB from a great defense behind him.

        Last year his ERA was 3.94, FIP was 4.60. For those of you that aren’t familiar with FIP, it’s fielding independent pitching, meaning give a pitcher an average defense, this is what his ERA would be closer to. Aaron Nola has been someone that has been on the other end of it – he should have an even better ERA, but his defense has hurt him due to lack of range, poor defensive placements, etc.

        Urquidy is one of those guys that back in the day we would have assumed he was a pretty good pitcher based off of his standard numbers, and then we’d all be confused when he went to a team with a less efficient defense and his ERA and WHIP shot up. I don’t love analytics, but FIP is one of the few aspects I do appreciate.

        9
        Reply
        • thelegendaryharambe

          11 months ago

          1. FIP doesn’t account for an ability to limit hard contact which IS a skill. It assumes all pitchers will have the same BABIP which is def not the case.

          2. There is no way 2 months of Willson Contreras is worth 3 years and 2 months of Jose Urquidy.

          8
          Reply
        • pinstripes17

          11 months ago

          For the Astros it is, they churn out quality pitching like it’s nothing. Urquidy is a solid controllable innings eater, but nothing more. He’s a home run machine.

          2
          Reply
        • thelegendaryharambe

          11 months ago

          Who else was offering anything close to Urquidy for Contreras?

          2
          Reply
        • websoulsurfer

          11 months ago

          You are correct. The percentage of contact and hard-hit balls is important.

          Batters facing Urquidy had an 80.9% contact rate and 41% hard-hit ball rate. League average is 76.6% contact and 30.3% hard-hit.

          Batters made more contact than league average against him and when they made contact, they hit it hard more often.

          A 4.60 FIP fits that contact profile.

          At 1.1 WAR, he ranked 154th. That is his career average as well. Not really all that valuable.

          About as valuable in his career so far as Willson Contreras in 2022.

          3
          Reply
        • thelegendaryharambe

          11 months ago

          And if anyone else was offering a similarly valuable player to Urquidy for two months of Contreras the Cubs would have pulled the trigger. I’m usually against ownership meddling but Jim Crane made the right call in blocking that trade. And when we get down to the point the Astros are WS Champs and your Padres are not.

          1
          Reply
        • Holy Cow!

          11 months ago

          Urquidy’s Statcast numbers are nothing special. Houston’s defense over the last four years has been very good. His ability is closer to his FIP than his ERA.

          It would have been a nice exchange for the Cubs and a fair trade overall, but I think the reaction to the non-trade is more about Contreras being considered “overrated” now because he wasn’t traded.

          Wilson’s a fine player and I’ll think he’ll thrive in a C/DH role like he did in 2022. I wish he’d stay with the Cubs, but the reality is he’s going to get a $70-80 million guarantee with all the risks a 31 year old catcher carries. I can understand Jed’s aversion to resigning him.

          2
          Reply
        • websoulsurfer

          11 months ago

          2 months of Contreras is not worth 3 years of Urquidy. 2 months of Contreras IS worth a year of Urquidy. But a WS Championship is worth 3 years of Urquidy.

          Instead of Contreras, Click had to pivot to a lower quality catcher that was also a rental and picked up Vazquez for two prospects, one of which was just added to the Red Sox 40 man roster. It’s a good thing that Click planned ahead for the owner of the teams reticence.

          No one knows who else was offered for Contreras. We do know the Cubs needs. Pitching is at the top of that list.

          Reply
        • thelegendaryharambe

          11 months ago

          Fortunately for the Astros they got to have their cake and eat it. Win a WS championship AND keep Jose Urquidy.

          Reply
        • Holy Cow!

          11 months ago

          It will be interesting to see if Urquidy lasts three years through the arbitration process without getting non- tendered. The projection for Urquidy might have him lasting two years on average.

          1
          Reply
        • websoulsurfer

          11 months ago

          Not sure that is the prize you think it is. 4.60 FIP. About half of league average WAR for a starter with a qualifying number of innings. Quite a bit below league average K%.

          Outside of 2020 he has not been anything special. Just another back of the rotation arm.

          Most teams fill those slots from the minor leagues or FA signings pretty easily.

          Reply
  8. Googolplex

    11 months ago

    So we now know he won’t be Click’s replacement.

    Total speculation on my part, but I think Crane lacks trust of any analytical wizard having full autonomy after what happened with Luhnow.

    1
    Reply
  9. Dumpster Divin Theo

    11 months ago

    Why would Theo want to join a dysfunctional band of outlaw cheaters? He’s a made man who could pursue opportunities in finance, politics or wait to be pursued for league mgmt

    12
    Reply
    • Jacob Cook

      11 months ago

      Now I want Theo to become the Astros GM just to see your reaction.

      5
      Reply
      • websoulsurfer

        11 months ago

        Epstein said that he would only return as part of an ownership group. Is Crane giving up a share in the Astros to Epstein?

        Reply
  10. Dunk Dunkington

    11 months ago

    Should of swept the Phillies in the World Series. Only winning 4-2 is unacceptable!!!

    Is serious they are clearing house for David Stearn is my bet. Crazy!!

    4
    Reply
    • Thomas E Snyder

      11 months ago

      IT WON’T BE STEARNS!

      Reply
  11. notnamed

    11 months ago

    click wasn’t fired.

    15
    Reply
    • hebar79

      11 months ago

      Exactly. Heaven forbid should they actually research to see Click chose not to accept the one year deal offered to him.

      7
      Reply
    • websoulsurfer

      11 months ago

      Houston #Astros GM James Click actually was fired. He was offered a one-year contract and raise from his $1 million salary on Monday, turned it down in pursuit of a longer contract, and was dismissed Friday after publicly airing his grievances at the GM meetings.

      — Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 11, 2022

      Reply
  12. thelegendaryharambe

    11 months ago

    Click wasn’t “fired.”

    10
    Reply
    • websoulsurfer

      11 months ago

      Houston #Astros GM James Click actually was fired. He was offered a one-year contract and raise from his $1 million salary on Monday, turned it down in pursuit of a longer contract, and was dismissed Friday after publicly airing his grievances at the GM meetings.

      — Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 11, 2022

      Reply
      • thelegendaryharambe

        11 months ago

        Oh God PF. Bob Nightengale? Come on. You know better than to cite that dude and have called others out for doing so in the past.

        Reply
  13. Viveleempireevil

    11 months ago

    What next? They hire Mattress Mack as their new GM? At least he knows how to make money by trading on the Astros stellar reputation for merging baseball…and degenerate gambling.

    6
    Reply
  14. nottinghamforest13

    11 months ago

    He must have been unwilling to agree to next year’s cheating plot.

    11
    Reply
  15. Orioles2024

    11 months ago

    It makes sense to get rid of Click’s “guy”

    You’re moving on from him then obviously you aren’t keeping one of his hand picked top lieutenants.

    3
    Reply
  16. seamaholic 2

    11 months ago

    This makes me think there’s an iceberg just under the surface here. Something that perhaps was dealt with quietly and with an NDA.

    5
    Reply
    • flamingbagofpoop

      11 months ago

      Why? The GM didn’t re-up so they canned the guy he brought in. This happens all the time when a team makes changes at the top of their FO.

      1
      Reply
      • notnamed

        11 months ago

        he wasn’t canned, he just didn’t accept the astros proposal

        1
        Reply
        • websoulsurfer

          11 months ago

          Not true.

          Reply
        • thelegendaryharambe

          11 months ago

          By definition in this context, “fired” means you are relieved of your duties before your contract has expired. Click’s contract expired, so he was not fired.

          Reply
    • C Yards Jeff

      11 months ago

      @seamaholic2; And to your point, the management consultant(s) Crane employs to audit/monitor/evaluate FO performance saw some red flags and advised him to move on. And said consultant(s) most likely have FO level baseball experience so the “shop” functions fine until they find replacements?

      2
      Reply
  17. Roberto Gee

    11 months ago

    Kept reading Click and Crane had problems but never saw what the problem(s) was.
    Any particulars slip out?

    1
    Reply
    • Mehmehmeh

      11 months ago

      Click probably feels like he deserves to be top dog with multiple years after a ws win. Crane was not going to give him more than 1 year. He probably already has another plan on place for next year. Now he needs to bridge that somehow.

      2
      Reply
    • BaseballisLife

      11 months ago

      Easy. Crane wants credit.

      2
      Reply
      • flamingbagofpoop

        11 months ago

        What an awful take.

        1
        Reply
      • Samuel

        11 months ago

        BaseballisLife;

        That’s juvenile.

        Reply
        • Hotstovemelts

          11 months ago

          Samuel…. feelings police strikes again lol. You’re doing a bang up job! You scold those meanies! Lol tool

          1
          Reply
  18. whyhayzee

    11 months ago

    Powers out.

    Must be the hurricane.

    4
    Reply
  19. VonPurpleHayes

    11 months ago

    Scott Powers also wore buzzers under his shirt, directly linked to his AOL Instant Messenger account. Disgraceful. Especially since no one uses AIM anymore. Astros had to fire him to save face.

    6
    Reply
    • For Love of the Game

      11 months ago

      AOL…LOL!!!

      Reply
  20. tigertom0210

    11 months ago

    Did I miss something? Did Elon Musk buy the Astros?

    7
    Reply
  21. pinstripes17

    11 months ago

    What an unproblematic and exemplary organization!

    5
    Reply
  22. PiratesFan1981

    11 months ago

    Crone and click clash and Crone is telling the league and MLB fan base that he is in charge. Like what Boston did with Ben Cherington, get the World Series and discard. Owners can be savages after they get what they want. Crone is restoring Houston Astros reputation after that sign stealing scandal. If Click and his people aren’t going to bow to his rule, they are gone. Crone gave Click the chance to win the World Series and get a well paying job elsewhere. Rather that’s New York, Philadelphia, Texas (had to throw in a rival for the sake of it), Miami, or any potential contender(s), he’s going to what free rein and control of decisions to build a World Series team. That takes out Angels because Arty just needs a pretty face to act as GM while Arty does the work and suffocate the team with another egomaniac head case. Miami I think is probably the best option for Click if White Sox stay with their current GM.

    2
    Reply
    • RobM

      11 months ago

      Of course Crane is in charge. He’s a businessman who owns the team. His people will be in the key positions. That’s how business operates. Why don’t fans understand this?

      11
      Reply
      • slider32

        11 months ago

        Yes, Captain Underpants!

        Reply
    • all in the suit that you wear

      11 months ago

      Boston didn’t discard Cherrington. They wanted to keep him. Cherrington gave out bad contracts to Pedro Sandoval and Rusney Castillo and John Henry brought in Dave Dombrowski do oversee baseball operations. Cherrington didn’t like this and left.

      2
      Reply
      • all in the suit that you wear

        11 months ago

        actually Pablo Sandoval

        1
        Reply
      • RobM

        11 months ago

        And then Dombrowski game out bad contracts of his own, so he was let go.

        I think we’re on to something here. We now know why Bloom plays small ball. No big contracts, no getting fired!

        1
        Reply
        • all in the suit that you wear

          11 months ago

          RobM: Yes! I really believe John Henry hates wasting money.

          Reply
  23. RobM

    11 months ago

    He was Click’s guy. He’s out. It will also allow Click to hire Powers in his next gig. He had no chance at the GM job, so move on. It may look harsh, but it makes business sense, and these are business decisions.

    10
    Reply
  24. pbpsean

    11 months ago

    Click wasn’t fired. His contract ran out even before the World Series ended.
    Who would want those jobs knowing the owner won’t let you do everything you want.

    3
    Reply
    • Bearded Texas Hulk

      11 months ago

      @pbpsean no GM can just do everything they want too. If so every team would have a 500 mil payroll. The owners of the franchises are ultimately in control.

      7
      Reply
  25. angt222

    11 months ago

    Guess he’s going back to LA lol

    1
    Reply
  26. Dogham

    11 months ago

    Guess it’s finally getting out about the Astros batters having listening devices in their batting helmets.

    3
    Reply
  27. A'sfaninUK

    11 months ago

    They probably weren’t cheating enough this season for that psycho owners liking

    7
    Reply
  28. retired/advisory role

    11 months ago

    Lol Astros.

    4
    Reply
    • jjd002

      11 months ago

      Lol World Series winning Astros

      3
      Reply
      • pinstripes17

        11 months ago

        Good luck getting to another one

        1
        Reply
        • flamingbagofpoop

          11 months ago

          They’re returning most of their roster…obviously getting to the WS is hard even for the best teams, but I’d give them as good of odds as any other AL team to make it back.

          2
          Reply
        • VonPurpleHayes

          11 months ago

          Similar to the Patriots dynasty, the Astros have a fairly easy road in the regular season due to their easy division. With their talented roster, I have them as a WS favorite yet again.

          1
          Reply
        • slider32

          11 months ago

          Great point!

          Reply
        • Thomas E Snyder

          11 months ago

          Next year’s schedule is different.

          Reply
        • websoulsurfer

          11 months ago

          Going to get much more difficult in 2023 with the Mariners being very good and the Rangers loading up. A healthy Angels team could make things more interesting too.

          Losing Verlander won’t help either.

          Reply
  29. sliderwithcheeze

    11 months ago

    Jim Crane asked me if I wanted to become a member of his Floridian National Golf Club knowing that I don’t golf. I’ll never forget the look on his face when I told him no.

    3
    Reply
  30. Carl W.

    11 months ago

    Saturday night massacre in Astro land? Thanks for helping me get that trophy, you know where the door is.

    1
    Reply
  31. dkhits20

    11 months ago

    The Tigers will hire at least one of these guys.

    Reply
  32. baseballteam

    11 months ago

    Gets us through another day of offseason, so…good.

    Reply
  33. BlueSkies_LA

    11 months ago

    Crane is thinking, “Winning the Series was such a rush. What’s the next most satisfying thing I can do? Oh, yeah, fire somebody!”

    5
    Reply
  34. JAMeadows

    11 months ago

    Crane is an idiot

    Reply
    • stroh

      11 months ago

      Must be. Owns a franchise worth $2 billion. You on the other hand must be a genius.

      1
      Reply
  35. phillyballers

    11 months ago

    Jerry Jones v Jimmy Johnson vibes

    1
    Reply
  36. ChuckyNJ

    11 months ago

    The most hated team in baseball sacked both the GM and the Assistant GM within days of winning the World Series. Perhaps Powers and Click know about another Astros cheating scheme.
    (and no, they are NEVER “world champions” unless your league is called Team America)

    2
    Reply
    • stroh

      11 months ago

      Gives the Stros even more incentive to kick the ass of the self-proclaimed “best team in baseball”. What a joke.

      1
      Reply
    • slider32

      11 months ago

      Time for Click and Powers to write a book!

      1
      Reply
  37. bigjonliljon

    11 months ago

    Maybe feel the timing is right to bring back Luhnow?

    2
    Reply
    • ShoelessJoeHallofFame

      11 months ago

      This is what I’m thinking, too. One more year with Dusty Baker at the helm, then Hinch will be ready to leave that dumpster fire in Detroit. I really think Lunhow is coming back. He’s Crane’s guy.

      1
      Reply
    • thickiedon

      11 months ago

      I’ve read that Luhnow is invested in other interests. Soccer.. I think

      1
      Reply
      • Surly_03

        11 months ago

        He owns two professional soccer teams if memory serves.

        Reply
  38. mets4ever

    11 months ago

    Seems like an opening for Crane to bring back Luhnow. It would be a bad look. A VERY VERY bad look but Crane doesn’t impress me as a guy who gives a flip about public opinion. Two things here, one, no one else with a successful track record will want to work for Crane and two, no one ELSE would consider hiring Luhnow. Anyone really think Stearns would want to take on this headache working for this kind of owner? I don’t.

    Reply
  39. exiledrangersfan

    11 months ago

    Jim Crane the new Jerry Jones?

    Reply
    • ChuckyNJ

      11 months ago

      More like Jim Crane is the new George Steinbrenner.

      Reply
  40. getrealgone2

    11 months ago

    Maybe Click was a dick or Crane is a crank

    Reply
  41. joefleury

    11 months ago

    I am wondering what more these two needed to accomplish? A world title is not enough to keep your job? ‍♂️

    Really?

    Reply
  42. miltpappas

    11 months ago

    Click and Powers will have jobs before year’s end. Now let’s see where the Astros go.

    Reply
  43. sweetg

    11 months ago

    owner should do a jerry jones make himself G.m. like jones nobody with options wants to work with this guy.

    Reply
  44. Zachary D Manprin

    11 months ago

    Hopefully, James Click returns to the Bay Area and goes to work for the Oakland A’s. People forget Click was the editor of Baseball Prospectus.

    Reply
  45. Judgement Day

    11 months ago

    This is surprising. Must be trying to get rid of the last of the trashcan bangers.

    Reply
    • Samuel

      11 months ago

      That’s childish and dumb.

      1
      Reply
      • Judgement Day

        11 months ago

        Please, it was a joke. Sarcasm.

        Reply
      • Hotstovemelts

        11 months ago

        Either grow a pair or dont be a sports fan. In both Astro threads you’re the feelings police cause your cheating team is getting picked on…. boohoo!

        Reply
        • Judgement Day

          11 months ago

          Now now let’s not make it worse. Astros earned this championship. It was all meant as a joke

          Reply
  46. kfvynziam

    11 months ago

    What do you mean they “fired” Click? He turned down their one year extension offer. That’s not a firing.

    1
    Reply
  47. James Midway

    11 months ago

    It’s a bold strategy Cotton.

    1
    Reply
  48. SFBay314

    11 months ago

    Giants hired their GM too early!!!

    Reply
  49. CardsFan77

    11 months ago

    Ok what is up with this organization? I’m skipping way past the cheating stuff lol. Dusty baker saying it was sad that there we no African Americans in the world series (yet he is managing a team that has none on their roster in the WS) letting Verlander walk, firing coaches after they WON! I don’t get it

    Reply
  50. LordD99

    11 months ago

    Why would they keep Click’s guy? New GM will hire his own AGM. That’s the way it should be.

    2
    Reply
  51. Domingo111

    11 months ago

    Maybe crane is a musk fan and decided to randomly fire some people:)

    Reply
  52. BabyBoyBlueDiamond

    11 months ago

    My guess… word has spread to the owners that an investigation is underway that will show another cheating scandal. This time, something to do with pitchers using substances allowing better spin rate but not easily detectable like other substances in the past. The owner wants to get ahead of this so as to minimize their involvement and minimize the financial penalty.

    And don’t tell me you’d be shocked. Not this organization.

    Reply
    • Samuel

      11 months ago

      BabyBoyBlueDiamond;

      Sure. That must be it.

      Check under your floorboards at home. I understand that Martians started planting monitoring devices in American’s homes. Once they know everything they’ll move on us and there’s nothing we’ll be able to do!

      Reply
      • Hotstovemelts

        11 months ago

        Samuel:…. here he is again… the big bad feelings police. Lol

        Reply
  53. Rob66

    11 months ago

    Sort of like the Jerry Jones/Jimmy Johnson debacle

    Reply
  54. Old York

    11 months ago

    Good move. Astros should have swept the playoffs but ended up losing a few to the Phillies. If I was ownership, I’d be clearing house in the office since these characters couldn’t build a proper WS team that goes undefeated in the playoffs. Hopefully, things will be better next year when Houston wins it all, going undefeated.

    1
    Reply
    • Surly_03

      11 months ago

      To be fair, they should’ve only lost one game and that is on Dusty and Verlander more than anyone else.

      On the other hand, would they have gone undefeated if Luhnow was still in charge?

      Yes, highly likely, probably, in all likelihood.

      1
      Reply
  55. Poster formerly known as . . .

    11 months ago

    I can only hope these incomprehensible firings were prompted by Brian Cashman agreeing to become the Astros’ new GM.

    1
    Reply
    • websoulsurfer

      11 months ago

      You are a Yankees fan?

      Reply
      • Poster formerly known as . . .

        11 months ago

        Yup.

        1
        Reply
  56. websoulsurfer

    11 months ago

    Click hired much of the Astros brain trust. Several could follow him to whatever job he takes.

    As it is, Crane won’t have to hire just one guy. He is going to have to hire most of top end of his staff

    Click – GM – Fired
    Powers – Assistant GM – Fired today
    Since the season ended Putila and Ocampo left for other jobs.

    Others could follow Click, who hired them.
    Ball – Assistant GM
    Fong – Director of Minor League Operations
    Sara Goodrum

    Plus at least a dozen others behind the scenes managing areas of scouting, player personnel, and technology. As well as several key analysts.

    That is one heck of a lot of incredibly bright people that are gone or could be leaving soon. Right as you start to negotiate trades and FA contracts.

    Not a great move on Crane’s part unless he is going to step in and do it all himself.

    Reply
  57. Larry Brown's crank

    11 months ago

    I believe, honestly….that dusty wanted to play Pena at 1st base. the g.m kept insisting that Scott Hatteberg be put into the lineup. Dusty refused….

    Reply
  58. great one

    11 months ago

    Click was a dick… nobody liked him… he thought he ran the whole show… he did things the opposite of the way the OWNER and DUSTY wanted…

    Is this really so hard for y’all to figure out?

    I OWN the team. I DECIDE the team. I HIRE/FIRE the team.

    If yall think Hinch doesn’t manage this team again one day…you’re nuts.
    As for Luhnow?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Buck Showalter Will Not Return As Mets Manager In 2024

    Tim Wakefield Passes Away

    Felix Bautista To Undergo Tommy John Surgery, Signs Through 2025 Season

    Rockies Sign Charlie Blackmon To One-Year Extension

    Reds Sign Nick Krall To Extension, Promote Him To President Of Baseball Operations

    Giants Fire Gabe Kapler

    Orioles Agree To 30-Year Lease At Camden Yards

    Padres Prefer To Retain A.J. Preller, Bob Melvin In 2024

    Brooks Robinson Passes Away

    Reds’ Matt McLain Shut Down For Remainder Of 2023 Season

    Padres Plan To Reduce Payroll To Around $200MM; Front Office Changes Possible

    Marlins Place Eury Perez On 15-Day Injured List, Select Jeff Lindgren

    Sandy Alcantara Shut Down For Rest Of 2023 Season

    Brandon Lowe To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Kneecap Fracture

    Rays Promote Junior Caminero

    Sean Doolittle Announces Retirement

    Tigers Name Jeff Greenberg General Manager

    Qualifying Offer Value To Land Around $20.5MM

    Shohei Ohtani Undergoes Elbow Surgery

    Marlins Claim Matt Moore From Guardians

    Recent

    Mets Officially Introduce David Stearns As President Of Baseball Operations

    Padres Chairman Peter Seidler: “Current Leadership Continues To Have My Full Support”

    The Mariners Had An Elite Shortstop In 2023 After All

    The Opener: Mets, Padres, Angels

    Buck Showalter Will Not Return As Mets Manager In 2024

    Tim Anderson Willing To Move To Second Base

    Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts On Ross, Hendricks, Payroll

    AL East Notes: Judge, Yankees, Rays, Siri, Raley, Cora

    Poll: Who’s Going To Win The World Series?

    Braves Outright Ehire Adrianza To Triple-A

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Shohei Ohtani Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version