The Astros’ acquisition of Gerrit Cole last offseason has been a clear win for the team, as The Athletic’s Rustin Dodd (subscription required) writes in an analysis of how well Cole has both performed on the mound and fit into the team’s clubhouse culture. In Houston, Cole said, “you’re not asked to conform to a system. You’re asked to use the system to make yourself better. So, from an analytic standpoint, from a scouting report standpoint, from teammates and instructors, there’s just a high level of quality here that’s ahead of quite a bit of other teams….They’re really forward thinking.” Cole’s biggest start in an Astros uniform comes tomorrow in Game 2 of the ALDS, and a victory would give the Astros a huge 2-0 advantage in the best-of-five series.
Some more from around the AL West…
- The Angels aren’t likely to name their new manager before the World Series, Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group opines, as the team is planning a wide-ranging search that includes many candidates from outside the organization. The Halos won’t be making any public statements about potential candidates, though various reports have suggested the club is interested in names including Eric Chavez, Josh Paul, Brad Ausmus, and Joe Espada.
- The Rangers are also looking for a new manager, and MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan takes a broad look at several potential names that could surface as candidates. Sullivan’s list includes internal choices (bench coach and interim manager Don Wakamatsu, third base coach Tony Beasley, first base coach Steve Buechele, Triple-A manager Jason Wood, and farm director Jayce Tingler), as well as several coaches with other teams as well as veteran ex-managers. White Sox bench coach Joe McEwing received an interview the last time the Rangers were looking for a new manager, Sullivan notes, and could potentially be considered again. Two names that won’t be part of the search are former Rangers managers Ron Washington and Buck Showalter.
- A clubhouse skirmish reportedly involving Jean Segura and Dee Gordon was the most overt sign of how the Mariners’ chemistry seemed to falter alongside the team’s middling record down the stretch, as Seattle faded out of contention. One of the team’s offseason priorities, TJ Cotterill of the Tacoma News Tribune writes, will be to address whether or not changes need to be made to improve the team’s internal focus and culture. “I don’t know what comes first — the cart or the horse, winning and clubhouse chemistry, or losing and clubhouse strife,” GM Jerry Dipoto said, noting that some frustration and tension amongst teammates is natural when a team isn’t performing well.
- In other AL West news from earlier today on MLBTR Trade Rumors, we passed on several Athletics-related notes.
Come on, JD. Screw Showalter, but give Ron another go at it.
No way. After that last fiasco with cheating on his wife and letting the team down, I don’t care how popular Ron was.
Wife won’t let him back in DFW. Way too many girlfriends here.
No on Washington
If DiPoto doesn’t understand that then perhaps a new GM is in order. Someone capable of putting together a minor league system.
No kidding!! I’m not sure if you watched last week’s Ryder Cup match between the USA. Europe has dominated the event over the past 2-3 decades. American TV analysts point to Europes positive chemistry as the difference between the two teams while the US players ‘air their dirty laundry’ in the days following the tournament. Losing teams are going to be unhappy- no need to trade away (successful) players on team friendly contracts like Segura just because they are unhappy with losing.
Come on Angels be smart, don’t go back to having a new manager every 2 to 3 years. Chavez and Ausmus would both be gone in less than three years.
True dat. Espada has a better “sheep skin” with his experience. Chavez can be a coach. No Asmus.
I’m interested in Espada for his familiarity with the Astros. Secret agent 00Joe
Joe Girardi for Angels manager.
No thanks
Why wouldn’t you want Girardi?
Essentially the same kind of manager as Scioscia and they would likely have a higher salary compared to younger managers.
And hell no on Girardi!!!
Yes! No!
Yes on Girardi
Bobby V for Angels manager!
Girardi or Asmus for Rangers manager and bench coach. Great fit for both. And then can Dougie boy the pitching coach.
Girardi is not taking a job as bench coach
Cole trade a clear win for Astros – salary dumps usually are – Pirates should have at least demanded some of their top prospects.
pirates picked quantity over quality. yankees allegedly offered a package fronted by andujar and were denied in favor of houston offering 4 players.
Angels really need a manager that is full of energy and motivating and kick ***. From within it could be Dino would be the guy. Go back to being aggressive and more smart baseball. Dropping bunts, hitting behind the runners, more steals. Better pitching works too. These Glass Arm guys just will not get us to the promise land, only to the DL. While throwing fastballs may led to TJ Surgery, it is also 90 mph plus curveballs and not enough off season work.
Bobby V!!
The Astros got a great return on Cole, who had slipped in production his last two years in Pittsburgh.. Houston gambled, and won. So far, the Yankees deal for Sonny Gray hasn’t worked but Boston has to be very happy with Sale. Win some…..lose some.
The Astros do a fantastic job of finding and fixing pitchers. Pretty much every guy they acquire is better once the Astros get ahold of him. Must be something in the water.