I hate the Astros but...

[ClassicO]

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.

[45s]

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…

[ClassicO]

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…

They make the Cards look inept when it comes to international free agents. The Cards have been pitiful there.

[Goldfan]

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…

Whatever happened to the much ballyhooed Cards baseball facility on either DR or PR….that was to flow all that Latin talent to STL?

[blackinkbiz]

I'm not sure he is anymore but wasn't the Cardinals former head of scouting the Astros head of scouting for a decade or more?

Basically, the guy who picked all the winning teams for STL moved on to Houston and did the same thing for Houston while the Cardinals slowly went in the ground?

[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.

[DwaininAztec]

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.

[45s]

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..

[AtillaTheBlue1]

they bought and sold, and rebuilt

Mo'ron and this org is 2 stupid for that type of move. they sell low on their former prospects, and buy elderly pitcher

[Cusecards]

You have to tip your hat to the Astros organization.
And I don’t like them either!
However....with the exception of the Rangers big season a few years ago their division has not presented much of a challenge:
A’s- have fallen on hard times.
Angels- one of the worst run teams in professional sports. They are a joke!
Mariners- picking up traction and have a top notch rotation. Can they finally get over the hump?
Rangers- give them credit for winning it all. But overall less “up” and more “down”.

[blackinkbiz]

they bought and sold, and rebuilt

Mo'ron and this org is 2 stupid for that type of move. they sell low on their former prospects, and buy elderly pitcher

You forgot "took part in one of--if not THE--largest cheating scandals in MLB history."

[Absolut]

[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?

[ClassicO]

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.

They've signed about a half-dozen international free agents for under $75k. Altuve, Garcia, Valdez, Blanco, Javier. That won them the WS.
And they traded for another - Yordan Alvarez - when he was in the minors.

[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.

[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