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September 13, 2007

Future Shock

Houston Housecleaning

by Kevin Goldstein

Two weeks ago, the Astros did some housecleaning, firing manager Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpura, with owner Drayton McLane being quoted in the AP story as stating that the Astros “needed a fresh start.” It’s hard to argue with that, as the Astros are basically the National League version of the White Sox–-an aging team struggling to stay out of last place just two years removed from a World Series appearance, with a minor league system that will offer little help in its current state. The Astros have been very active in their pursuit of a new helmsman, interviewing or setting up interviews with at least 11 candidates that we know of:

Ruben Amaro, Phillies Assistant GM
Jim Beattie, former Orioles GM
Ricky Bennett, Astros Assistant GM
Dan Evans, Mariners Special Assistant, and a former Dodgers GM
David Gottfried, Astros Assistant GM
Muzzy Jackson, Royals Special Assistant
Steve Lubratich, Indians Director of Player Development
John Mozeliak, Cardinals Assistant GM
Ed Wade, Former Phillies GM
Bob Watson, MLB's Vice President of Operations, and a former Astros GM
Logan White, Dodgers Assistant GM

That's certainly a long list, and a group of men with qualifications ranging from solid to spectacular. The Astros want to have their new man (or woman, if Kim Ng of the Dodgers gets the interview she certainly deserves) in place by the end of the season, giving the new regime time to come up with a plan for the offseason.

Interviewing prospective general managers is more of a two-way communication than your everyday job interview. Yes, all of these candidates are interested in the position, but at the same time, they want to make sure they’ll have the freedom needed to make the necessary changes that will return Houston to the top of the standings. The changes that need making are numerous enough, but the first order of business wll be the scouting and player development system. Here is one very important question that these candidates should be asking the Astros’ interview staff, including McLane, as part of the process:

Are you prepared to make a real commitment, in terms of both money and personnel, to amateur scouting and the draft?

It’s pretty clear that the Astros aren’t making that commitment now. Let’s go through the team’s last three drafts, looking at their top picks as defined by signing bonus.