All articles tagged with #jim crane
Houston manager Joe Espada will remain in his role for the rest of the 2026 season after owner Jim Crane confirmed the job is safe amid a front-office shakeup that included Dana Brown’s departure; Espada’s contract ends at year’s end. Houston sits a half-game behind the Rangers for the AL West and is battling for a Wild Card, with a relatively quiet trade deadline and ongoing uncertainty about the club’s direction in the offseason.
After a disastrous homestand that doomed their playoff hopes, the Astros announced a mutual parting with GM Dana Brown. Owner Jim Crane will oversee operations with Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell’s input while the team searches for a full-time GM in the offseason; Espada’s future remains uncertain as Houston aims to rebound and return to the postseason.
Houston Astros owner Jim Crane expressed the team's financial capability to maintain a high payroll in 2025, though not necessarily at record levels, as they prioritize re-signing free agent Alex Bregman. Negotiations with Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, are ongoing, with the team also exploring backup options if Bregman signs elsewhere. The Astros are considering ways to manage their payroll, including potential trades, to stay under the luxury tax threshold while addressing other team needs.
Houston Astros owner Jim Crane breaks his pattern of fiscal restraint by signing free-agent closer Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million deal, signaling a shift in the team's approach as they aim to prolong their success amidst an aging core and impending free agency departures. The move reflects a departure from Crane's previous operating procedures and a willingness to invest in the win-now mentality, despite the inherent risks associated with long-term deals for relievers. This significant shift may indicate a new direction for the Astros as they navigate the challenges of maintaining competitiveness while replenishing their farm system.
The Houston Astros' decision to stand pat on starting pitching during the offseason is now looming large as injuries to José Urquidy and Luis Garcia have left the team with a lack of depth. The Astros relied heavily on their starting rotation last season, but with Justin Verlander gone and two starters sidelined, the team's lack of action in the offseason is being questioned. The team will now have to rely on unproven depth options to fill the void.