I hate the Astros but...

[HOUCARD]

First off, I hate the Astros.
A few years ago, I wrote them off for the not-too-distant future after they were destined to lose a lot of their top draft picks that led to their long success: Correa, Springer, Bregman, Tucker (all having good/great years in 2025). Not to mention a healthy Verlander, McCullers, Javier, Urquidy and Luis Garcia - all gone.
Plus, their organization went through a ton of changes after they were caught cheating.
But I have to give them credit. They have the second-best record in the American League. They rebuilt the engine while the plane was in flight. They have two top SPs in Brown and Valdez. They have Hader as closer. The lineup is solid.
I hate it.

You forgot to mention they have been racked with injuries too. Their best hitter (Yordan Alvarez) has been out most of the year and their spark plug, this year (Pena), is hurt now. Yet, they continue winning. Solid organization. Not to menttion this kid Smith, they got in the Tucker deal, looks like a stud. They also got Paredes in that transaction.

[Cardinals4Life]

First off, I hate the Astros.
A few years ago, I wrote them off for the not-too-distant future after they were destined to lose a lot of their top draft picks that led to their long success: Correa, Springer, Bregman, Tucker (all having good/great years in 2025). Not to mention a healthy Verlander, McCullers, Javier, Urquidy and Luis Garcia - all gone.
Plus, their organization went through a ton of changes after they were caught cheating.
But I have to give them credit. They have the second-best record in the American League. They rebuilt the engine while the plane was in flight. They have two top SPs in Brown and Valdez. They have Hader as closer. The lineup is solid.
I hate it.

They are about winning

They are about the future

Very active in the Carribean and Cuba

No long term deals

And…it’s always about the shirt….never a particular player…

Playing in a division like the AL West is like playing in the PCL or International League. Doesn't take much to beat out the likes of the Angels, Mariners, and A's most years.

Rangers not in the West anymore?

Yep. The Rangers who've had 3 seasons above .500 in the last 11 seasons (12 if you count this season)?
Yep, those guys.

WS champs 2 years ago

Yep and 9 losing seasons surrounding it. Again, making the Astros run in a WEAK division that much easier. AL West might as well have been AAA.

45 knows what I'm talking about!

[Ozziesfan41]

Lunhow built a heck of an organization for sure

[HOUCARD]

First off, I hate the Astros.
A few years ago, I wrote them off for the not-too-distant future after they were destined to lose a lot of their top draft picks that led to their long success: Correa, Springer, Bregman, Tucker (all having good/great years in 2025). Not to mention a healthy Verlander, McCullers, Javier, Urquidy and Luis Garcia - all gone.
Plus, their organization went through a ton of changes after they were caught cheating.
But I have to give them credit. They have the second-best record in the American League. They rebuilt the engine while the plane was in flight. They have two top SPs in Brown and Valdez. They have Hader as closer. The lineup is solid.
I hate it.

They are about winning

They are about the future

Very active in the Carribean and Cuba

No long term deals

And…it’s always about the shirt….never a particular player…

Playing in a division like the AL West is like playing in the PCL or International League. Doesn't take much to beat out the likes of the Angels, Mariners, and A's most years.

Oh please. How about the Reds, Pirates, and until this year Cubs?

[Cardinals4Life]

First off, I hate the Astros.
A few years ago, I wrote them off for the not-too-distant future after they were destined to lose a lot of their top draft picks that led to their long success: Correa, Springer, Bregman, Tucker (all having good/great years in 2025). Not to mention a healthy Verlander, McCullers, Javier, Urquidy and Luis Garcia - all gone.
Plus, their organization went through a ton of changes after they were caught cheating.
But I have to give them credit. They have the second-best record in the American League. They rebuilt the engine while the plane was in flight. They have two top SPs in Brown and Valdez. They have Hader as closer. The lineup is solid.
I hate it.

They are about winning

They are about the future

Very active in the Carribean and Cuba

No long term deals

And…it’s always about the shirt….never a particular player…

Playing in a division like the AL West is like playing in the PCL or International League. Doesn't take much to beat out the likes of the Angels, Mariners, and A's most years.

Oh please. How about the Reds, Pirates, and until this year Cubs?

NL Central still has been tougher than the AL West.
But, that's not the point.

[HOUCARD]

Don't forget that they also control one of the top 5 largest markets in the country, so when they want to, they can spend the money.

Crane has always been willing to go right up the threshold….even slightly over a couple of times..

What he will not due is long term deals….a player wants more than 5…..well, thanks for your contribution and good luck to you..

As to the market…double edge sword

They can generate revenue….but there is tremendous competition for the sports dollar

Pro football, pro basketball, soccer…..surrounded by D 1 college programs….even high school football

And a very large and vocal sports media……that doesn’t mind ripping them..

Not to mention HS baseball. One or more of the Houston area teams is usually competing for the 4A or 5A state title. Tomball just won 4A and the Woodlands is usually in the mix for 5A.

[HOUCARD]

Lunhow built a heck of an organization for sure

DeWitt certainly whiffed keeping Moe and booting Lunhow.

[Ozziesfan41]

Lunhow built a heck of an organization for sure

DeWitt certainly whiffed keeping Moe and booting Lunhow.

Yes sir big time. Lunhow built a great organization here too but mo dismantled it

[scoutyjones2]

First off, I hate the Astros.
A few years ago, I wrote them off for the not-too-distant future after they were destined to lose a lot of their top draft picks that led to their long success: Correa, Springer, Bregman, Tucker (all having good/great years in 2025). Not to mention a healthy Verlander, McCullers, Javier, Urquidy and Luis Garcia - all gone.
Plus, their organization went through a ton of changes after they were caught cheating.
But I have to give them credit. They have the second-best record in the American League. They rebuilt the engine while the plane was in flight. They have two top SPs in Brown and Valdez. They have Hader as closer. The lineup is solid.
I hate it.

They are about winning

They are about the future

Very active in the Carribean and Cuba

No long term deals

And…it’s always about the shirt….never a particular player…

Playing in a division like the AL West is like playing in the PCL or International League. Doesn't take much to beat out the likes of the Angels, Mariners, and A's most years.

Rangers not in the West anymore?

Yep. The Rangers who've had 3 seasons above .500 in the last 11 seasons (12 if you count this season)?
Yep, those guys.

WS champs 2 years ago

Yep and 9 losing seasons surrounding it. Again, making the Astros run in a WEAK division that much easier. AL West might as well have been AAA.

45 knows what I'm talking about!

When's the last time an NL Central team won a WS?

[Quincy Varnish]

First off, I hate the Astros.
A few years ago, I wrote them off for the not-too-distant future after they were destined to lose a lot of their top draft picks that led to their long success: Correa, Springer, Bregman, Tucker (all having good/great years in 2025). Not to mention a healthy Verlander, McCullers, Javier, Urquidy and Luis Garcia - all gone.
Plus, their organization went through a ton of changes after they were caught cheating.
But I have to give them credit. They have the second-best record in the American League. They rebuilt the engine while the plane was in flight. They have two top SPs in Brown and Valdez. They have Hader as closer. The lineup is solid.
I hate it.

McCullers is back… and awful

Garcia will be back sometime after the ASB

Cam Smith, who the Cubs drafted last year and then traded for Tucker, has been a shot in their arm over the last month or so.

[JuanAgosto]

Lunhow built a heck of an organization for sure

DeWitt certainly whiffed keeping Moe and booting Lunhow.

Yes sir big time. Lunhow built a great organization here too but mo dismantled it

Mo has to have dirt on the DeWitts. Or their is something else at play. Keeping Mo around this long makes no sense.