October 3, 2024 • 38 mins
Less than 24 hours after the Astros 2024 season ended, general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada met with the media. The duo discussed the 2024 season, what to expect from them in terms of potential moves this offseason, Alex Bregman and how they could handle injury situations moving forward.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Data.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
What do you think your your biggest off season task
will be now as you start looking towards the Winner.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
Well, I mean, first of all, you know, one of
the things we want to make sure we do is
get back deep into the postseason. I mean, that's going
to be our vision, that's going to be our focus,
and we're not taking anything off the table in terms
of what we would do, whether it's making trades or
you know, signing a free agent, We're not taking anything
(00:30):
off the table. So, but the main focus would be
to get back to the postseason again and to go
as deep as we can go and get back to
the World Series.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Okay, channel next, Dana, how much of a focus will
be upgrading the lineup in some respects And how do
you view both of your corner infield spots going into
the Winner?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yeah, I mean, of course, you know we're gonna have
some conversations with you know, Bregman in terms of coming back.
I mean, he's done outstanding job here. He's been a
pillar and in this organization and a big part of winning.
And as I mentioned earlier, we will not take anything
off the table in terms of signing free agents or
(01:15):
trades to upgrade the club, and so the main focus
will be let's get back to the postseason. Let's do
what we need to do to get back, and we'll
try to fill whatever holes that we have.
Speaker 5 (01:29):
Okay, we'll Christy Nate and then Michael Joe.
Speaker 6 (01:33):
Now that you've had a little more time to kind
of take in what happened yesterday, can you just sum
up the season and kind of everything you went through
and what it was like for you as a first
time manager.
Speaker 7 (01:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (01:43):
Yeah, you know, as a first year manager, you know,
I confronted many challenges and how I handle that was
you know, true faith and understanding how strong that group
of players in there are.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Right.
Speaker 8 (02:01):
You know, a team get tested and you see the
character of your team really through adversity and the way
we were tested early, I knew that this team was
strong enough to make.
Speaker 9 (02:13):
A pusch and get us into the postseason.
Speaker 8 (02:16):
Like Dana said, you know, we wanted to get deep
into the postseason. But you know, their their toughness and
what they showed me was that this team is going
to prepare themselves for a deep run next year, and
I'm excited about that. I didn't sleep much last night
just thinking about how tough that loss was. But I've
also thought about how great this team in this organization is.
(02:41):
We care about winning. We do everything to bring players
here in that care about our culture and fit writing
and what we're trying to do.
Speaker 9 (02:51):
And I'm excited. I can't wait to get to spring training.
Speaker 5 (02:54):
We go Nate and then Michael and then Matt Joe.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
On the same vein your first year.
Speaker 10 (03:02):
In terms of the things that you had to go
through on a day to day basis, and you saw
other managers do it and you saw how they dealt
with it. Did that kind of sort of rain back
in your brain what you saw from those guys or
did you just have to just go out on your
own try to make some good decisions.
Speaker 8 (03:18):
Yeah, And you know I reach out to some of
those managers that I worked for in the past, you
know foundations. You know, they have been part of my
foundation who I am. And you know I talk to
people throughout the season that have face challenges, right, and
(03:40):
it was it was amazing because you really see the
people that have your back.
Speaker 9 (03:44):
But at the end of the day, you just you
lean on your players.
Speaker 8 (03:48):
I've seen these players do amazing things throughout the year.
And and for me, it's just you know, stay strong,
to stay true to who you are. You know, your
coaches adjust, you have to and continue to move forward.
Speaker 9 (04:03):
He's a long season. I think that's one thing that.
Speaker 8 (04:05):
I really learned about, you know, being on a managerial seat,
how how long one sixty two is and how much
time you have to recover. But you have to trust
the process and your players and and your leaders in
that clubhouse. And I did, and we overcame a lot
of things that I'm proud of the players.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
Here we go, Michael, Matt, Dan and Chandler.
Speaker 11 (04:23):
Okay, Dana, Justin didn't sound last night or yesterday like
a guy who was ready to retire. Do you guys
have interest in bringing him back? And what would that
kind of look like, what kind of deal with that
looked like for y'all?
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yeah, I mean, Justin Verlander has been outstanding in this
organization and a big, big part of the winning culture
in this organization. And you know, ultimately it sounds like
he wants to come back. But you know, we're going
to have some discussions with our front office and of
course Joe and his staff as to what's the best
thing for the team. And how should we go forward?
(04:57):
And you know that's pretty much we're gonna view this.
Speaker 5 (05:02):
Okay, Matt Dan and Chandler.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Dinner.
Speaker 12 (05:06):
Are there any players that you know that will need
surgeries or any medical stuff this AF season.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
We're gonna sit down with our medical group. You know,
we're twenty four hours after this last game, so we
haven't had a lot of discussions yet, but ultimately we
will sit down and have those discussions as to what's
best for the player and and and things like that.
Speaker 13 (05:31):
Do you see adding to the rotation as a necessity
this SOUTH season?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
I'm sorry I didn't catch up.
Speaker 12 (05:35):
Do you see adding to or fortifying the rotation as
a necessity this afseason?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Well, I think our guys really stepped it up. I
mean we learned a lot about guys like Blanco, We
learned a lot about guys like Raghetti. We learned a
lot about guys like Brown. And then we have some
of the guys coming back, you know, like Garcia, who's
been thrown outstanding if you've seen the sides here at
the stadium, So we do have some guys that are
coming and so I think we do have a pretty
(06:03):
good rotation, you know, with what we finished with this
year and what we have coming back. But as I
mentioned before, we're not taking anything off the table in
terms of getting this club better and getting back to
the postseason and trying to get deep into the postseason.
Speaker 5 (06:19):
Okay, Dan Chandler and then Adam.
Speaker 14 (06:23):
Dana, Jose and a lot of the players yesterday were
voicing how much they really want Alex back, especially with Jose.
Does that carry extra weight how you guys approach this
process given the investment you've put into him.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Yeah, I mean the weight that has carried is just
Bregman's performance and what he's done here in this organization.
He's been a really good player, and he's been outstanding
in terms of helping his team play a lot of
postseason games, and he's posted you know, each and every year,
and so that weighs, you know, heavily.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
But ultimately we.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Will have some discussion with discussions with Bores and also
uh Bregman, and so we've had some small talk, but
ultimately we will have some discussions.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
We know what he means to this.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
Organization, Kay Chandler, Adam Bryant and over here.
Speaker 15 (07:15):
On this Obviously, we saw some things in the lineup
this year that we haven't seen for a couple of years.
The swing rate was up, the chase rate was up.
I get that that's the personnel you guys had, but
is that something that you'd like to see evolve, whether
it's by players on the roster or in free agency,
how you attend the sort of players you're gonna get.
Speaker 9 (07:35):
Uh, you know what, Challe I think a lot had
to do with.
Speaker 8 (07:41):
We kind of some players that we had in the
roster due to injuries, and we brought some players, some
young players who the big leagues who when they get
up here, they think that aggressiveness is the best you know,
past you know, move forward when it comes to hitting
at the major league level. So there were times where
(08:01):
we get away from who we are as an offensive team,
and that's something that will definitely address. But as an
overall offensive team, we're still one of the.
Speaker 9 (08:09):
Best in the big leagues.
Speaker 8 (08:11):
I you know, I take our offensive lineup against any
lineup in the big leagues. I feel really good about
the players that we.
Speaker 9 (08:18):
Have moving forward.
Speaker 8 (08:20):
But that's something that at times we we kind of
got away from who we are our identity offensive identity,
and we'll continue to preach and coach and teach.
Speaker 9 (08:29):
You know what's the you.
Speaker 8 (08:30):
Know who we are as an organization, what have made
us successful successful in in in the years past.
Speaker 9 (08:36):
So we'll look at all those things moving forward.
Speaker 5 (08:39):
Here and Brian and then over here.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
I was just gonna say, as far as me answer
that question, I think quality of bats is what we're
going to preach, uh to the guys get back to
having quality of bats. And it's along the lines of
what Joe's saying, and sometimes our guys get away from it.
Speaker 5 (09:00):
Okay, Adam, Bryan and in over here.
Speaker 16 (09:05):
Joe, do you plan on making any changes to your staff?
Speaker 9 (09:09):
You know what?
Speaker 8 (09:09):
We the season just ended yesterday, so we're gonna I'm
gonna have a discussion here with Dana and we'll talk
about that later, but right now we're just trying to
wrap things up here.
Speaker 16 (09:19):
And then you've seen what Bregman has meant to this
team now for seven years, So I guess just how
big of a loss would it be if he's not back,
not just on the field, but also just in the clubhouse.
Speaker 8 (09:30):
Hey, you know, I've talked a lot about how much
I love the individual, the human I think what makes
these team really good is the character of the people
that we have in that clubhouse, and he's one of
the best I've ever been around. So I would love
to have you know, Alex Bregman playing third base for
(09:50):
US next year.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
Brian and over here, Brian.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
No, Dan, how big of a priority is upgrading first
base or finding some more consistent production from that position.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Yeah, I mean we're not taking anything off the table.
As I said before, if we can get better at
any position, we're going to do that. And so when
we have our discussions UH this offseason, we'll try to
figure out what makes what's what makes sense for this club,
who makes sense for this club, what's the best outcome
for this club, And so we will definitely have those discussions.
(10:27):
But we're not taking anything off the table. So if
we can get better in the back of the rotation,
if we can get better at first base, we can
get better anywhere, We're going to pursue it. And if
it makes sense for the club, we'll actually move forward.
Speaker 7 (10:45):
Loco agnificant.
Speaker 8 (11:00):
Bregman and in the club one of Muco the ple
Sona the prime I so pact to twin Contento call
(11:22):
the Tormento core.
Speaker 9 (11:25):
So if you.
Speaker 17 (11:31):
Bota Okay, hey, Zeus, Christie and then Leah.
Speaker 18 (11:49):
Granted you said you're not off the table. Can the
Astros afford to go into next season with the type
of production you guys got from first base? Can you
afford to really bring that type of first base and.
Speaker 9 (12:03):
Aspire for the World Series? Well?
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Look, I mean this organization won the World Series for
Juli Gouriel at first base, and you know he didn't
have that greade of a year, and that's not our benchmark.
But ultimately, as I mentioned before, we will do what's
best for this organization to try to upgrade at each position,
(12:26):
you know, like I said, whether it's the back end
of the rotation, the middle of the bullpen, whatever it is.
And so if it makes sense, we'll pursue it. And
that's pretty much where we stand right now. And we'll
have more discussions about this during the off season for sure.
Speaker 5 (12:45):
Yeah, we'll go Christy, Leah and then Jason Bristol.
Speaker 6 (12:48):
Hey, Dana, I know these are long term injuries, but
with Arkatie and Javier, I wondered, like, how are they doing,
how's the recovery going on? Are they on the schedule
you expected when they had their surgeries?
Speaker 3 (12:59):
Yeah, I mean, Javier are projections or sometime towards the
end of July.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Hopefully it's earlier, but you.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Know, that's pretty much where we are and her Kidis
pretty much in the same boat. And so although so
Javier is really the main one for us because he's been,
you know, such a pillar, and you know, we think
he could be one of our guys that pitched, you know,
sort of somewhere in the middle or the top of
the rotation. But we think that sometime in that July Timeframeah.
Speaker 19 (13:37):
Dana, going into the season, you tabbed guys like Spencer Arig, Gatty,
Ryan Gusto, Zach Dezenzo's guys who would contribute to the
major league level. Are there guys now that are kind
of bookmarked in your mind as guys who could maybe
step up next year within the minor leagues?
Speaker 3 (13:53):
I mean, we we really like the way Bryce Matthews
has been playing. You know, he's in Triple A, his
over we're all ops for the year, somewhere around age sixty,
showing some power. Just have to refine his skill set,
you know, in terms of defense, you know Melton's you know,
another guy that could be a big piece for us.
(14:14):
You know, really good defensive outfielder with power, and so
you know, those two guys, you know, are really have
a chance to make some type of an impact. Ryan Gusto,
as you know, has had a really good year, stepped
it up in Triple A. He's he was one of
the guys that coming out of spring training that was
on my mind, and you know, there were times that
(14:36):
I thought maybe we were gonna have to call him up,
you know, but our rotation sort of got right, and
you know, but he's definitely a guy that he's on
my radar. So you know, those three guys are really
really the focus.
Speaker 5 (14:53):
Okay, Jason, and then Matt.
Speaker 20 (14:58):
Morning Chan I mentioned the lineup spring training when you
moved Jorda on to the number two hole. It was
a very big story when you look at the production
you got out of that spot. I think Bregman when
he was hitting there, the team was forty two and
twenty four, and when Tucker and Alvarez are in that role,
you were forty and forty three, And I was wondering
if maybe the organization had different metrics you were using
(15:21):
to I guess believe that the lineup was functioning or
function better with those two instead of Bregman in the
number two hole.
Speaker 8 (15:30):
Yeah, I believe when when Breggie was hitting in the
two spot, Tucker was not mostly in the lineup, correct,
So if Tucker would have been healthy, probably would have
been hitting in that spot. So I do look at
those numbers. You know, my decision behind that is I'm
trying to put the best players in our lineup up
front to get more opportunities to hit, the more chances
(15:53):
to get, the more chances we get to create run
scanner opportunities.
Speaker 9 (15:56):
And that's the case.
Speaker 8 (15:58):
And you know, those four guys, you could stack them
up to wherever what you want it, and there are
the productive players. Kyle Tucker is one of the best
hitters in the Big League, so is Alex Regman, so
as Jordan Alvarez and Hotel to Way. So I look
at matchups, I look at ways that are our guys
I swing in the bats at the time, and that
(16:20):
this is you know, that's how I base my decision on.
So you know, next being training things might change. We'll
see where you know where we at.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
Hey, Matt michael Lin back here.
Speaker 12 (16:31):
I wonder if I could ask you both, how would
you evaluate just a yandas his first season as the
primary catcher, and you guys had to get a little
creative with how you were using the two catchers down
the stretch. How do you see, I guess, playing time,
playing out behind going forward?
Speaker 8 (16:45):
Yeah, you know what, that's a really that's a really
good question because I think Yan your Das what was
one of the most improved players, you know, on our team.
He where you know where he came from last year
to this year, leading our staff through some very very
difficult stretches, injuries, new pitchers coming in and out, and
he had to lead our staff and do the offensive
(17:08):
production that he showed last year and do that this year.
And I played him a lot and he you know,
he was out there, he grinded, and we got to
learn a lot about his makeup, his toughness, and he
did show that he can lead this club moving forward.
I think one of the best free agent signees in
(17:31):
last year in the big legu and we don't talk
about it very much, is Victor Kartini. You know, not
only to help Yan your ds development, but also a
voice in the clubhouse, big pinch it a bats. He
played some really good first base so I think moving forward,
we got two important players and we could have discussions
(17:54):
about how you build this roster around two guys that
show versatility. And but you your Diaz was someone who
I was very impressive. How where he want, how he
was last year and how he.
Speaker 9 (18:07):
Ended the season.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
Okay, Michael in the back and then channeling.
Speaker 11 (18:12):
Danna, can you clarify for me? Does Ryan Presley have
a bio attached to his twenty twenty five contractor do
you consider him on the books for that fourteen million number?
Speaker 1 (18:22):
No, he's on the books.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
I mean he invested, so he got the forty five
appearances that he needed. So yeah, he's he's on our
roster for next year.
Speaker 13 (18:37):
Let mister Dinna about you said, Chi, at this point,
what do you think about a new conduct reach him.
Speaker 9 (18:49):
Contract?
Speaker 1 (18:50):
About?
Speaker 9 (18:50):
You say?
Speaker 13 (18:51):
What at this point? What do you think about Kukui?
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (18:56):
Yeah, So Kukuchi came in, and you know, we took
a lot of heat for that trade, and so he
came in and did an outstanding job. You know, we
felt like all along that he could strike guys out
and we felt also that we could make some adjustments
with his usage, and you know, he was very open
(19:19):
and you know, he enjoyed his time here. He was
very excited about, you know, being a part of this
winning team. And he came in and he was very
receptive to what we would would offer him, and ultimately
he did an outstanding job for us. He pitched some
big games. He helped us close the gap in terms of,
(19:40):
you know, winning the division and building a little bit
of a lead there.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
So we were very happy with acquiring Kokuchi.
Speaker 5 (19:48):
Okay, Chandler Adam And then right.
Speaker 15 (19:50):
Here, Dana, you had I believe five pitchers this season
either suffer setbacks or not be able to return when you.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Guys thought that they would.
Speaker 15 (19:58):
Medically wise, you had Kyle Tucker thing, do you envision
re examining your medical staff return to play procedure anything
like that?
Speaker 3 (20:06):
Now, I think sometimes, you know, we all get ahead
of ourselves and trying to think when should this guy
come back? And we put certain timelines, and you know,
maybe we should pull back a little bit from some
of the timelines, but we expect guys to come back
a little sooner. And sometimes these injuries are are different
with different individuals. Some guys get hurt, they can come
(20:29):
back and six weeks. Other guys that may take ten weeks,
and so you know, sometimes we get caught and trying
to figure out when the guy's coming back instead of
you know, allowing the guy, you know, to get through
his rehab process and as we get closer to him
coming back, maybe set more of a firm date as
to when he should be back. And so I think,
(20:52):
you know, all of our medical people worked very hard
to get all of these guys back. You know, it
was just unfortunate that some of them have taken longer
and some of them were still waiting to come back.
But you know, injuries are up throughout the entire league,
and you know it's just this the stress that we
have in this sport now, whether it's the stress to
(21:14):
throw harder, whether it's the stress to hit the ball further.
But we're just the injuries are up, and I think
we probably should just be a little bit more patient
as to saying when guys are coming back and meet
those timelines.
Speaker 16 (21:29):
Adam right here and then over here, Dan, what did
you think of a hater season?
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Hater? Yeah, I thought hater.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
You know, he did a lot of what we've seen
him do close out games. I think he blew three
three games. I mean league wide, when you blow three games,
that's not a lot. We saw him strike out a
lot of guys. You know, maybe the slider is a
little inconsistent. Now, if he can improve that, I think,
you know, he'll get even more strikeouts. But ultimately, he
(22:01):
came in and he closed out games. He struck out guys,
and you know, he helped us get back to winning
the division. It's just that we didn't go as deep
in the postseason as we would like, we would have liked.
But uh, you know, ultimately, I thought, you know, he
had a pretty good season, you know, just closing out
games and striking out hitters. Iarn ren average was a
(22:22):
little bit up. I thought he pitched in a lot
of games where he tried to give us, you know,
his all and throw like two winnings at times, and
sometimes that you know, that gets a little bit more difficult,
you know. But ultimately, I think what we brought him
in here for and that is to close out games
and strike guys out. I thought he did a pretty
good job.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
Yo.
Speaker 7 (22:44):
And Victoria.
Speaker 9 (22:52):
Was a movie and.
Speaker 8 (23:01):
No, no kiero a I said, so I'll go I
a pacific.
Speaker 9 (23:11):
O L Casto.
Speaker 8 (23:15):
Pero and and a mental and personae a toy not.
Speaker 9 (23:36):
Know el casto so n a on topic of the.
Speaker 5 (23:47):
Right here and then we'll go lire and then.
Speaker 21 (23:51):
Joe correct me if I'm wrong. I think I can
say that you're an emotional man. We saw your emotional
after winning the a O West. Talk about you talk
about being excited enough for spring training. It's gonna be
a while, probably nearly four months. What are the emotions
that you feel after you know the season coming to
an end?
Speaker 9 (24:09):
Well, you know, I I'm ready for spring training. I
know that you know we'll.
Speaker 8 (24:14):
I'm gonna have to wait a little bit Longer usually
comes faster, But I'm excited because I've learned a lot
about our club. These guys are kinda gonna come in
a little bit hungrier next next spring training. I guarantee
you that that he not like the fact that our
season ended yesterday. So I'm excited about that aspect of
things that Yes, we're gonna rest a little bit more,
(24:37):
but they're gonna be itching for spring training much sooner.
Are going to see those guys in here, in this
in this stadium December January getting after it because they're
gonna be ready to go.
Speaker 9 (24:47):
And that's it.
Speaker 8 (24:48):
I'm excited about that, right, So it's just preparing for it.
I'm excited. I think we did a lot of great
things this season, learn a lot about the character and
the makeup of the thing, and also by you know,
from my you know about myself. So I'm counting today's
spring training.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
Okay. Prior to the press conference, Rye mc taggart was
telling me how excited he is the spring training is
you are right, yeah, Leah Liah and then Jesus.
Speaker 19 (25:21):
Dana, given that y'all have so many guys who are
so many pitchers that are waiting to kind of come
back from injury like her Key, Javier mccolers and Garcia,
are you going to explore the opportunity of bringing you say,
Kakuchi back next year.
Speaker 3 (25:36):
Well, you say, had a really good run with us,
and as I said before, we're not taking any options
off the table to improve this club. And so you know,
we we know how special he was with us when
he pitched here and how receptive he was. But you
know the fact that we do have a lot of
(25:57):
those guys coming back, our rotation is gonna be pretty stacked.
I mean, and so I think that's a good place
to be. I think you win with pitching, and you know,
just pitching, pitching, pitching is that's where, that's where it
needs to be. And you see how important pitching is
in this postseason. So we're not taking any option off
(26:18):
the table, but we'll do what's best for the club
and what makes the most sense.
Speaker 18 (26:22):
Hey, Zeus, Mattin and Ari two questions, What did you
two men learn from each other this year, especially early
when people were, you know, criticizing you guys. It was
a difficult, but you guys seem to work well together,
which is rare sometimes in organizations. And also like, are
there guys going to winter winter ball this year? And
what would you like to see them grow in winter
(26:45):
ball if they do go.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
Yeah, we have a few guys that are gonna go
to winter ball, you know, and talking with Gavin Dickie
who runs our farm system, so we'll have a few
guys in winter ball. In terms of Joe, I learned
you know, one of Joe's greatest traits is that you know,
he's calm and steady. I mean, I think that was
a very important aspect for our club this year. Getting
(27:09):
off to a slow start. There was no panic in Joe.
He had familiarity with the with the club. I think
it was a great match, you know, in terms of
you know, one of the reasons why I hired Joe's
because our tracks are very similar. We both had to
grind through a lot to get to where we are.
We both were uh turned down multiple times for jobs,
(27:32):
and and so I thought that that was something with Joe,
his persistence that would would deem to be special in
this with this group. And so I think Joe coming
in here and having that familiarity with the club was
a big part of why we got things turned around.
And there was no panic. The players didn't panic, the
coaches didn't panic, and and Joe, you know, stayed steady.
Speaker 8 (27:57):
Yeah, and I share the saying thoughts with Data. We're
very similar. We we have we have grind to get
to this position. We know, you know how difficult it
was to get to this position, and we want to
do the best we can with our abilities to bring
success to this organization. We care about this player, I
(28:17):
care about the Astros.
Speaker 9 (28:18):
This is my home.
Speaker 8 (28:20):
And you know, Dana and I had conversation daily about
our staff, you know, about our team, how can we
make things better? And those conversations were were easy and
we doing agree all the time. But I like that,
you know, debate brings people together, Debate creates organization to
(28:41):
come closer, and you find solutions to issues, and and
and Dana is that kind of leader that he wants
everyone to speak up and we could work together.
Speaker 9 (28:52):
So I really appreciated that that.
Speaker 8 (28:54):
You know, the way Dana, you know, ran the organization
and you know when it comes to our players. And
I want to add a few things about Winnaball. You know,
I manage Winna ball, I play winter ball. You Winna ball.
For for players who are getting to the big leagues,
it's very important for their development, not only for the
quality of baseball that they will see down in and
(29:17):
and and you know in the in these countries, but
also you get to you know, you own your own there.
Speaker 9 (29:22):
You don't have a ton of you know, there is
no video.
Speaker 8 (29:27):
There's no this, there's no track man, there's no no
you gotta you gotta grind it out.
Speaker 9 (29:31):
You got to figure it out.
Speaker 8 (29:32):
And at times are young players, we we have all
these tools in there for them that there are important,
but sometimes you get to know about your character and
your toughness when you go down in some of these
countries and you're in you know.
Speaker 9 (29:47):
This is all new for them.
Speaker 8 (29:48):
So I think for their development and building character to
you know, understand how it is to grind in the
big leagues, winterball is a good test.
Speaker 9 (29:58):
So I'm excited at some.
Speaker 8 (29:59):
Of our young players are going to be part of that.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
In this year.
Speaker 8 (30:15):
Well, you know, I haven't talked to Blanco about that,
so when when I do, I you know, Blanco did
pitch a lot this season, so it's their right to
do what they want to do. We can't tell players
not to, Okay, oh yeah, we have conversations with some
of the young players about it.
Speaker 9 (30:35):
They come and ask me, Joe.
Speaker 8 (30:36):
You know, some teams have called for me to go
down and play, and I'm all, I'm all for it,
you know, especially if you need a batch, especially if
you if some of those young players went through injuries
and they lost probably one hundred, one hundred and fifty
of bats.
Speaker 9 (30:50):
Sure go.
Speaker 8 (30:52):
But again it's I'm always you know, I want our
players to go and experience.
Speaker 9 (31:01):
That that that culture, because you you really get to
know a lot of things and learn a lot of
things about about yourself.
Speaker 5 (31:09):
Okay, time for a couple more. We have Matt and
an Ari.
Speaker 12 (31:14):
For both of you, how would you evaluate what you
got from your centerfielders this season and how do you
view that position going forward?
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Yeah, I mean, so Jake Myers got off to a
really good start this year. At one point he had
like a seven to sixty ops and you know, then
he hit you know, a very cold streak. I think
he's really outstanding defensively. I think we have to get
some work done, you know, with his offense and the bat.
He can draw a walk from time to time, but
(31:45):
you know, ultimately we do have some work to do
with his bat. Chas McCormick, you know, we had an
outstanding year in twenty twenty three and uh, you know,
he had over an eight hundred ops with twenty plus
home runs. You know, he just didn't have that type
of year this year. So he's got to go back
to the drawing board. You know, there's a part of
(32:06):
these players that you know, I can remember playing myself.
You have to find yourself right, you have to get there,
you have to get in the gym, you have to grind,
and I think you know, they both will do a
little soul searching and find out, you know, what am
I doing well when I'm doing it right, and try
to stick with it and not get too cute and
make certain changes. And so I think it's going to
(32:28):
start with them. We will lend a helping hand with
our coaching staff. But I think if you ask both
of those guys, they know that they're better and they
should produce a little a lot more.
Speaker 9 (32:38):
So. Yeah, and for me, you know, the floor is
still high with both guys.
Speaker 8 (32:42):
I think they're both really good players and I trust
both guys, but you know, they obviously there could be
adjustments made, especially offensively, but they're still there's still two
really really good players.
Speaker 1 (33:01):
They are.
Speaker 5 (33:01):
And then we'll wrap up over here.
Speaker 22 (33:03):
For Joe, my Spanish isn't great, but I think you
were asked about home losses in the playoffs, correct, Yeah, yes,
can you expand on that in English please? And then
for Dana, do you anticipate any of the arbitration eligible
guys not being tendered?
Speaker 1 (33:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (33:17):
So you know, the question was about you know, playoff.
You know, we did play really well regular season. I
think it was twelve fourteen games of a five hundred
and I said in the off season that that was
not going to be a topic, and as a club,
we we said we're going to turn the page because
we were a really good club on the road. At home,
(33:39):
you know, you can do what we have done for
seven season if you're not a good home club, you know,
playing good at home.
Speaker 9 (33:46):
So I don't think there is anything that I.
Speaker 8 (33:48):
Could pinpoint why we haven't played well at home. And
I don't think it's I'm not concerned about it. We
just ran into a pretty good club and they came
in and and they did what they did. But for
me is you know, my answer was I'm not concerned
about it, and I don't think my players are players
are concerned about it. Is just turning the page and
(34:11):
get ready for twenty five.
Speaker 3 (34:13):
As it relates to the our question, I think that,
you know, just being twenty four hours out our last game,
we will at least entertain all of our URP cases
and we'll you know, meet as a group in the
front office and talk about like, Okay, how can this
(34:33):
guy help us, what is his upside going forward? In
those type of conversations, so we will have multiple conversations
about all of our cases. That's what the plan is.
Speaker 5 (34:46):
Okay, just two more over here and then Challeen Denny.
Speaker 23 (34:49):
You already talked about Josh Hitter and his performance, what
he did in his first season.
Speaker 9 (34:53):
Overall, the back end of the bullpen.
Speaker 23 (34:55):
Briana Brady pitched a bunch of innings this year, career high.
Ryan Presley being in that holding grow since twenty nineteen.
What can you say about what you got from the
back end.
Speaker 9 (35:05):
As a full season.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
Yeah, I mean there were some up and down on
the back end, but ultimately those guys grinded through and
got us back to, you know, a division championship. The
grind of one hundred and sixty two is where I
put a lot of emphasis because you got to get
into the postseason.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
You know.
Speaker 3 (35:25):
Can those guys make some tweaks and adjustments, Yeah, Can
we take some of the workload off them, yeah, And
so we will look to see if we can add
some more pieces to that back end, you know, so
that we don't put so much pressure on the power
three in the back. And so I think with that respect,
I think those guys will you know, will do a
(35:46):
lot better, you know, and instead of using them so
many games, you know we can give them a breather
because you got to remember, every time they come in
the game.
Speaker 1 (35:56):
It's high leverage and high stress.
Speaker 3 (36:00):
All those innings throughout the entire season, it's high leverage
and high stress. And we we we're gonna have to
give those guys somewhat of a breather, particularly when we
go three out of four days with with each of them,
and so that could be taxing high leverage three out
of four days, yeah, multiple times. Uh, it gets it
(36:21):
gets tough on those guys. So I think we'll go
back to the drawing board, try to tighten up some
of our middle guys and maybe get them to pitch
in some of those games that maybe five to two. Uh,
And you don't have to always go to your big power.
Speaker 9 (36:34):
Three, you know.
Speaker 8 (36:35):
And just too, I want to add that, you know,
we did, you know, found out about some of our
some of some of these guys that could step up
in that role that day. And I was talking about
the Taylor Scott's Ryan King, you know he's a left
hand or that you know we rule five coming up
from Tommy John and he.
Speaker 9 (36:53):
Threw the ball really well.
Speaker 8 (36:55):
I think those are guys that I could lean on
in in big spots in the future, they show that
they have it to do it. So, you know, I'm
excited about some of the questions that you're usually trying
to answer in the offseason through free agency. We have
some pieces already in the organization that we can that
(37:16):
we can consider for those roles.
Speaker 15 (37:20):
The club just carried its highest payroll in team history,
and there's a good bit of money tied up to
guys coming back and guys that aren't on your roster anymore.
How much financial flexibility have you been told you'll have
this winter to do what you want to do and
to upgrade this team.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
Well, I would say Jim has always been committed to winning,
and so I mean that's a that's a good thing.
I think we're going to have to make some, you know,
wise decisions as to you know, are there younger players
that you know, we can call up and put in
certain rows, you know, to maybe save some money here
and then we could use allocate that money to use
(37:58):
in other places. I think we're going to have those
kinds of conversations and we may have to get a
little bit creative, but ultimately we've seen the commitment you
know that Crane has to this club in terms of,
you know, nine out of ten postseason appearances, you know,
just coming off to seven straits yess that ended this year.
(38:21):
But when it comes to winning and the postseason, you know,
we have the commitment of ownership, which is pretty exciting,
Data.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
What do you think your your biggest off season task
will be now as you start looking towards the Winner.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
Well, I mean, first of all, you know, one of
the things we want to make sure we do is
get back deep into the postseason. I mean, that's going
to be our vision, that's going to be our focus,
and we're not taking anything off the table in terms
of what we would do, whether it's making trades or
you know, signing a free agent, We're not taking anything
(00:30):
off the table. So, but the main focus would be
to get back to the postseason again and to go
as deep as we can go and get back to
the World Series.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Okay, channel next, Dana, how much of a focus will
be upgrading the lineup in some respects And how do
you view both of your corner infield spots going into
the Winner?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yeah, I mean, of course, you know we're gonna have
some conversations with you know, Bregman in terms of coming back.
I mean, he's done outstanding job here. He's been a
pillar and in this organization and a big part of winning.
And as I mentioned earlier, we will not take anything
off the table in terms of signing free agents or
(01:15):
trades to upgrade the club, and so the main focus
will be let's get back to the postseason. Let's do
what we need to do to get back, and we'll
try to fill whatever holes that we have.
Speaker 5 (01:29):
Okay, we'll Christy Nate and then Michael Joe.
Speaker 6 (01:33):
Now that you've had a little more time to kind
of take in what happened yesterday, can you just sum
up the season and kind of everything you went through
and what it was like for you as a first
time manager.
Speaker 7 (01:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (01:43):
Yeah, you know, as a first year manager, you know,
I confronted many challenges and how I handle that was
you know, true faith and understanding how strong that group
of players in there are.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Right.
Speaker 8 (02:01):
You know, a team get tested and you see the
character of your team really through adversity and the way
we were tested early, I knew that this team was
strong enough to make.
Speaker 9 (02:13):
A pusch and get us into the postseason.
Speaker 8 (02:16):
Like Dana said, you know, we wanted to get deep
into the postseason. But you know, their their toughness and
what they showed me was that this team is going
to prepare themselves for a deep run next year, and
I'm excited about that. I didn't sleep much last night
just thinking about how tough that loss was. But I've
also thought about how great this team in this organization is.
(02:41):
We care about winning. We do everything to bring players
here in that care about our culture and fit writing
and what we're trying to do.
Speaker 9 (02:51):
And I'm excited. I can't wait to get to spring training.
Speaker 5 (02:54):
We go Nate and then Michael and then Matt Joe.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
On the same vein your first year.
Speaker 10 (03:02):
In terms of the things that you had to go
through on a day to day basis, and you saw
other managers do it and you saw how they dealt
with it. Did that kind of sort of rain back
in your brain what you saw from those guys or
did you just have to just go out on your
own try to make some good decisions.
Speaker 8 (03:18):
Yeah, And you know I reach out to some of
those managers that I worked for in the past, you
know foundations. You know, they have been part of my
foundation who I am. And you know I talk to
people throughout the season that have face challenges, right, and
(03:40):
it was it was amazing because you really see the
people that have your back.
Speaker 9 (03:44):
But at the end of the day, you just you
lean on your players.
Speaker 8 (03:48):
I've seen these players do amazing things throughout the year.
And and for me, it's just you know, stay strong,
to stay true to who you are. You know, your
coaches adjust, you have to and continue to move forward.
Speaker 9 (04:03):
He's a long season. I think that's one thing that.
Speaker 8 (04:05):
I really learned about, you know, being on a managerial seat,
how how long one sixty two is and how much
time you have to recover. But you have to trust
the process and your players and and your leaders in
that clubhouse. And I did, and we overcame a lot
of things that I'm proud of the players.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
Here we go, Michael, Matt, Dan and Chandler.
Speaker 11 (04:23):
Okay, Dana, Justin didn't sound last night or yesterday like
a guy who was ready to retire. Do you guys
have interest in bringing him back? And what would that
kind of look like, what kind of deal with that
looked like for y'all?
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yeah, I mean, Justin Verlander has been outstanding in this
organization and a big, big part of the winning culture
in this organization. And you know, ultimately it sounds like
he wants to come back. But you know, we're going
to have some discussions with our front office and of
course Joe and his staff as to what's the best
thing for the team. And how should we go forward?
(04:57):
And you know that's pretty much we're gonna view this.
Speaker 5 (05:02):
Okay, Matt Dan and Chandler.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Dinner.
Speaker 12 (05:06):
Are there any players that you know that will need
surgeries or any medical stuff this AF season.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
We're gonna sit down with our medical group. You know,
we're twenty four hours after this last game, so we
haven't had a lot of discussions yet, but ultimately we
will sit down and have those discussions as to what's
best for the player and and and things like that.
Speaker 13 (05:31):
Do you see adding to the rotation as a necessity
this SOUTH season?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
I'm sorry I didn't catch up.
Speaker 12 (05:35):
Do you see adding to or fortifying the rotation as
a necessity this afseason?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Well, I think our guys really stepped it up. I
mean we learned a lot about guys like Blanco, We
learned a lot about guys like Raghetti. We learned a
lot about guys like Brown. And then we have some
of the guys coming back, you know, like Garcia, who's
been thrown outstanding if you've seen the sides here at
the stadium, So we do have some guys that are
coming and so I think we do have a pretty
(06:03):
good rotation, you know, with what we finished with this
year and what we have coming back. But as I
mentioned before, we're not taking anything off the table in
terms of getting this club better and getting back to
the postseason and trying to get deep into the postseason.
Speaker 5 (06:19):
Okay, Dan Chandler and then Adam.
Speaker 14 (06:23):
Dana, Jose and a lot of the players yesterday were
voicing how much they really want Alex back, especially with Jose.
Does that carry extra weight how you guys approach this
process given the investment you've put into him.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Yeah, I mean the weight that has carried is just
Bregman's performance and what he's done here in this organization.
He's been a really good player, and he's been outstanding
in terms of helping his team play a lot of
postseason games, and he's posted you know, each and every year,
and so that weighs, you know, heavily.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
But ultimately we.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Will have some discussion with discussions with Bores and also
uh Bregman, and so we've had some small talk, but
ultimately we will have some discussions.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
We know what he means to this.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
Organization, Kay Chandler, Adam Bryant and over here.
Speaker 15 (07:15):
On this Obviously, we saw some things in the lineup
this year that we haven't seen for a couple of years.
The swing rate was up, the chase rate was up.
I get that that's the personnel you guys had, but
is that something that you'd like to see evolve, whether
it's by players on the roster or in free agency,
how you attend the sort of players you're gonna get.
Speaker 9 (07:35):
Uh, you know what, Challe I think a lot had
to do with.
Speaker 8 (07:41):
We kind of some players that we had in the
roster due to injuries, and we brought some players, some
young players who the big leagues who when they get
up here, they think that aggressiveness is the best you know,
past you know, move forward when it comes to hitting
at the major league level. So there were times where
(08:01):
we get away from who we are as an offensive team,
and that's something that will definitely address. But as an
overall offensive team, we're still one of the.
Speaker 9 (08:09):
Best in the big leagues.
Speaker 8 (08:11):
I you know, I take our offensive lineup against any
lineup in the big leagues. I feel really good about
the players that we.
Speaker 9 (08:18):
Have moving forward.
Speaker 8 (08:20):
But that's something that at times we we kind of
got away from who we are our identity offensive identity,
and we'll continue to preach and coach and teach.
Speaker 9 (08:29):
You know what's the you.
Speaker 8 (08:30):
Know who we are as an organization, what have made
us successful successful in in in the years past.
Speaker 9 (08:36):
So we'll look at all those things moving forward.
Speaker 5 (08:39):
Here and Brian and then over here.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
I was just gonna say, as far as me answer
that question, I think quality of bats is what we're
going to preach, uh to the guys get back to
having quality of bats. And it's along the lines of
what Joe's saying, and sometimes our guys get away from it.
Speaker 5 (09:00):
Okay, Adam, Bryan and in over here.
Speaker 16 (09:05):
Joe, do you plan on making any changes to your staff?
Speaker 9 (09:09):
You know what?
Speaker 8 (09:09):
We the season just ended yesterday, so we're gonna I'm
gonna have a discussion here with Dana and we'll talk
about that later, but right now we're just trying to
wrap things up here.
Speaker 16 (09:19):
And then you've seen what Bregman has meant to this
team now for seven years, So I guess just how
big of a loss would it be if he's not back,
not just on the field, but also just in the clubhouse.
Speaker 8 (09:30):
Hey, you know, I've talked a lot about how much
I love the individual, the human I think what makes
these team really good is the character of the people
that we have in that clubhouse, and he's one of
the best I've ever been around. So I would love
to have you know, Alex Bregman playing third base for
(09:50):
US next year.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
Brian and over here, Brian.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
No, Dan, how big of a priority is upgrading first
base or finding some more consistent production from that position.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Yeah, I mean we're not taking anything off the table.
As I said before, if we can get better at
any position, we're going to do that. And so when
we have our discussions UH this offseason, we'll try to
figure out what makes what's what makes sense for this club,
who makes sense for this club, what's the best outcome
for this club, And so we will definitely have those discussions.
(10:27):
But we're not taking anything off the table. So if
we can get better in the back of the rotation,
if we can get better at first base, we can
get better anywhere, We're going to pursue it. And if
it makes sense for the club, we'll actually move forward.
Speaker 7 (10:45):
Loco agnificant.
Speaker 8 (11:00):
Bregman and in the club one of Muco the ple
Sona the prime I so pact to twin Contento call
(11:22):
the Tormento core.
Speaker 9 (11:25):
So if you.
Speaker 17 (11:31):
Bota Okay, hey, Zeus, Christie and then Leah.
Speaker 18 (11:49):
Granted you said you're not off the table. Can the
Astros afford to go into next season with the type
of production you guys got from first base? Can you
afford to really bring that type of first base and.
Speaker 9 (12:03):
Aspire for the World Series? Well?
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Look, I mean this organization won the World Series for
Juli Gouriel at first base, and you know he didn't
have that greade of a year, and that's not our benchmark.
But ultimately, as I mentioned before, we will do what's
best for this organization to try to upgrade at each position,
(12:26):
you know, like I said, whether it's the back end
of the rotation, the middle of the bullpen, whatever it is.
And so if it makes sense, we'll pursue it. And
that's pretty much where we stand right now. And we'll
have more discussions about this during the off season for sure.
Speaker 5 (12:45):
Yeah, we'll go Christy, Leah and then Jason Bristol.
Speaker 6 (12:48):
Hey, Dana, I know these are long term injuries, but
with Arkatie and Javier, I wondered, like, how are they doing,
how's the recovery going on? Are they on the schedule
you expected when they had their surgeries?
Speaker 3 (12:59):
Yeah, I mean, Javier are projections or sometime towards the
end of July.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Hopefully it's earlier, but you.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Know, that's pretty much where we are and her Kidis
pretty much in the same boat. And so although so
Javier is really the main one for us because he's been,
you know, such a pillar, and you know, we think
he could be one of our guys that pitched, you know,
sort of somewhere in the middle or the top of
the rotation. But we think that sometime in that July Timeframeah.
Speaker 19 (13:37):
Dana, going into the season, you tabbed guys like Spencer Arig, Gatty,
Ryan Gusto, Zach Dezenzo's guys who would contribute to the
major league level. Are there guys now that are kind
of bookmarked in your mind as guys who could maybe
step up next year within the minor leagues?
Speaker 3 (13:53):
I mean, we we really like the way Bryce Matthews
has been playing. You know, he's in Triple A, his
over we're all ops for the year, somewhere around age sixty,
showing some power. Just have to refine his skill set,
you know, in terms of defense, you know Melton's you know,
another guy that could be a big piece for us.
(14:14):
You know, really good defensive outfielder with power, and so
you know, those two guys, you know, are really have
a chance to make some type of an impact. Ryan Gusto,
as you know, has had a really good year, stepped
it up in Triple A. He's he was one of
the guys that coming out of spring training that was
on my mind, and you know, there were times that
(14:36):
I thought maybe we were gonna have to call him up,
you know, but our rotation sort of got right, and
you know, but he's definitely a guy that he's on
my radar. So you know, those three guys are really
really the focus.
Speaker 5 (14:53):
Okay, Jason, and then Matt.
Speaker 20 (14:58):
Morning Chan I mentioned the lineup spring training when you
moved Jorda on to the number two hole. It was
a very big story when you look at the production
you got out of that spot. I think Bregman when
he was hitting there, the team was forty two and
twenty four, and when Tucker and Alvarez are in that role,
you were forty and forty three, And I was wondering
if maybe the organization had different metrics you were using
(15:21):
to I guess believe that the lineup was functioning or
function better with those two instead of Bregman in the
number two hole.
Speaker 8 (15:30):
Yeah, I believe when when Breggie was hitting in the
two spot, Tucker was not mostly in the lineup, correct,
So if Tucker would have been healthy, probably would have
been hitting in that spot. So I do look at
those numbers. You know, my decision behind that is I'm
trying to put the best players in our lineup up
front to get more opportunities to hit, the more chances
(15:53):
to get, the more chances we get to create run
scanner opportunities.
Speaker 9 (15:56):
And that's the case.
Speaker 8 (15:58):
And you know, those four guys, you could stack them
up to wherever what you want it, and there are
the productive players. Kyle Tucker is one of the best
hitters in the Big League, so is Alex Regman, so
as Jordan Alvarez and Hotel to Way. So I look
at matchups, I look at ways that are our guys
I swing in the bats at the time, and that
(16:20):
this is you know, that's how I base my decision on.
So you know, next being training things might change. We'll
see where you know where we at.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
Hey, Matt michael Lin back here.
Speaker 12 (16:31):
I wonder if I could ask you both, how would
you evaluate just a yandas his first season as the
primary catcher, and you guys had to get a little
creative with how you were using the two catchers down
the stretch. How do you see, I guess, playing time,
playing out behind going forward?
Speaker 8 (16:45):
Yeah, you know what, that's a really that's a really
good question because I think Yan your Das what was
one of the most improved players, you know, on our team.
He where you know where he came from last year
to this year, leading our staff through some very very
difficult stretches, injuries, new pitchers coming in and out, and
he had to lead our staff and do the offensive
(17:08):
production that he showed last year and do that this year.
And I played him a lot and he you know,
he was out there, he grinded, and we got to
learn a lot about his makeup, his toughness, and he
did show that he can lead this club moving forward.
I think one of the best free agent signees in
(17:31):
last year in the big legu and we don't talk
about it very much, is Victor Kartini. You know, not
only to help Yan your ds development, but also a
voice in the clubhouse, big pinch it a bats. He
played some really good first base so I think moving forward,
we got two important players and we could have discussions
(17:54):
about how you build this roster around two guys that
show versatility. And but you your Diaz was someone who
I was very impressive. How where he want, how he
was last year and how he.
Speaker 9 (18:07):
Ended the season.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
Okay, Michael in the back and then channeling.
Speaker 11 (18:12):
Danna, can you clarify for me? Does Ryan Presley have
a bio attached to his twenty twenty five contractor do
you consider him on the books for that fourteen million number?
Speaker 1 (18:22):
No, he's on the books.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
I mean he invested, so he got the forty five
appearances that he needed. So yeah, he's he's on our
roster for next year.
Speaker 13 (18:37):
Let mister Dinna about you said, Chi, at this point,
what do you think about a new conduct reach him.
Speaker 9 (18:49):
Contract?
Speaker 1 (18:50):
About?
Speaker 9 (18:50):
You say?
Speaker 13 (18:51):
What at this point? What do you think about Kukui?
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (18:56):
Yeah, So Kukuchi came in, and you know, we took
a lot of heat for that trade, and so he
came in and did an outstanding job. You know, we
felt like all along that he could strike guys out
and we felt also that we could make some adjustments
with his usage, and you know, he was very open
(19:19):
and you know, he enjoyed his time here. He was
very excited about, you know, being a part of this
winning team. And he came in and he was very
receptive to what we would would offer him, and ultimately
he did an outstanding job for us. He pitched some
big games. He helped us close the gap in terms of,
(19:40):
you know, winning the division and building a little bit
of a lead there.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
So we were very happy with acquiring Kokuchi.
Speaker 5 (19:48):
Okay, Chandler Adam And then right.
Speaker 15 (19:50):
Here, Dana, you had I believe five pitchers this season
either suffer setbacks or not be able to return when you.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Guys thought that they would.
Speaker 15 (19:58):
Medically wise, you had Kyle Tucker thing, do you envision
re examining your medical staff return to play procedure anything
like that?
Speaker 3 (20:06):
Now, I think sometimes, you know, we all get ahead
of ourselves and trying to think when should this guy
come back? And we put certain timelines, and you know,
maybe we should pull back a little bit from some
of the timelines, but we expect guys to come back
a little sooner. And sometimes these injuries are are different
with different individuals. Some guys get hurt, they can come
(20:29):
back and six weeks. Other guys that may take ten weeks,
and so you know, sometimes we get caught and trying
to figure out when the guy's coming back instead of
you know, allowing the guy, you know, to get through
his rehab process and as we get closer to him
coming back, maybe set more of a firm date as
to when he should be back. And so I think,
(20:52):
you know, all of our medical people worked very hard
to get all of these guys back. You know, it
was just unfortunate that some of them have taken longer
and some of them were still waiting to come back.
But you know, injuries are up throughout the entire league,
and you know it's just this the stress that we
have in this sport now, whether it's the stress to
(21:14):
throw harder, whether it's the stress to hit the ball further.
But we're just the injuries are up, and I think
we probably should just be a little bit more patient
as to saying when guys are coming back and meet
those timelines.
Speaker 16 (21:29):
Adam right here and then over here, Dan, what did
you think of a hater season?
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Hater? Yeah, I thought hater.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
You know, he did a lot of what we've seen
him do close out games. I think he blew three
three games. I mean league wide, when you blow three games,
that's not a lot. We saw him strike out a
lot of guys. You know, maybe the slider is a
little inconsistent. Now, if he can improve that, I think,
you know, he'll get even more strikeouts. But ultimately, he
(22:01):
came in and he closed out games. He struck out guys,
and you know, he helped us get back to winning
the division. It's just that we didn't go as deep
in the postseason as we would like, we would have liked.
But uh, you know, ultimately, I thought, you know, he
had a pretty good season, you know, just closing out
games and striking out hitters. Iarn ren average was a
(22:22):
little bit up. I thought he pitched in a lot
of games where he tried to give us, you know,
his all and throw like two winnings at times, and
sometimes that you know, that gets a little bit more difficult,
you know. But ultimately, I think what we brought him
in here for and that is to close out games
and strike guys out. I thought he did a pretty
good job.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
Yo.
Speaker 7 (22:44):
And Victoria.
Speaker 9 (22:52):
Was a movie and.
Speaker 8 (23:01):
No, no kiero a I said, so I'll go I
a pacific.
Speaker 9 (23:11):
O L Casto.
Speaker 8 (23:15):
Pero and and a mental and personae a toy not.
Speaker 9 (23:36):
Know el casto so n a on topic of the.
Speaker 5 (23:47):
Right here and then we'll go lire and then.
Speaker 21 (23:51):
Joe correct me if I'm wrong. I think I can
say that you're an emotional man. We saw your emotional
after winning the a O West. Talk about you talk
about being excited enough for spring training. It's gonna be
a while, probably nearly four months. What are the emotions
that you feel after you know the season coming to
an end?
Speaker 9 (24:09):
Well, you know, I I'm ready for spring training. I
know that you know we'll.
Speaker 8 (24:14):
I'm gonna have to wait a little bit Longer usually
comes faster, But I'm excited because I've learned a lot
about our club. These guys are kinda gonna come in
a little bit hungrier next next spring training. I guarantee
you that that he not like the fact that our
season ended yesterday. So I'm excited about that aspect of
things that Yes, we're gonna rest a little bit more,
(24:37):
but they're gonna be itching for spring training much sooner.
Are going to see those guys in here, in this
in this stadium December January getting after it because they're
gonna be ready to go.
Speaker 9 (24:47):
And that's it.
Speaker 8 (24:48):
I'm excited about that, right, So it's just preparing for it.
I'm excited. I think we did a lot of great
things this season, learn a lot about the character and
the makeup of the thing, and also by you know,
from my you know about myself. So I'm counting today's
spring training.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
Okay. Prior to the press conference, Rye mc taggart was
telling me how excited he is the spring training is
you are right, yeah, Leah Liah and then Jesus.
Speaker 19 (25:21):
Dana, given that y'all have so many guys who are
so many pitchers that are waiting to kind of come
back from injury like her Key, Javier mccolers and Garcia,
are you going to explore the opportunity of bringing you say,
Kakuchi back next year.
Speaker 3 (25:36):
Well, you say, had a really good run with us,
and as I said before, we're not taking any options
off the table to improve this club. And so you know,
we we know how special he was with us when
he pitched here and how receptive he was. But you
know the fact that we do have a lot of
(25:57):
those guys coming back, our rotation is gonna be pretty stacked.
I mean, and so I think that's a good place
to be. I think you win with pitching, and you know,
just pitching, pitching, pitching is that's where, that's where it
needs to be. And you see how important pitching is
in this postseason. So we're not taking any option off
(26:18):
the table, but we'll do what's best for the club
and what makes the most sense.
Speaker 18 (26:22):
Hey, Zeus, Mattin and Ari two questions, What did you
two men learn from each other this year, especially early
when people were, you know, criticizing you guys. It was
a difficult, but you guys seem to work well together,
which is rare sometimes in organizations. And also like, are
there guys going to winter winter ball this year? And
what would you like to see them grow in winter
(26:45):
ball if they do go.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
Yeah, we have a few guys that are gonna go
to winter ball, you know, and talking with Gavin Dickie
who runs our farm system, so we'll have a few
guys in winter ball. In terms of Joe, I learned
you know, one of Joe's greatest traits is that you know,
he's calm and steady. I mean, I think that was
a very important aspect for our club this year. Getting
(27:09):
off to a slow start. There was no panic in Joe.
He had familiarity with the with the club. I think
it was a great match, you know, in terms of
you know, one of the reasons why I hired Joe's
because our tracks are very similar. We both had to
grind through a lot to get to where we are.
We both were uh turned down multiple times for jobs,
(27:32):
and and so I thought that that was something with Joe,
his persistence that would would deem to be special in
this with this group. And so I think Joe coming
in here and having that familiarity with the club was
a big part of why we got things turned around.
And there was no panic. The players didn't panic, the
coaches didn't panic, and and Joe, you know, stayed steady.
Speaker 8 (27:57):
Yeah, and I share the saying thoughts with Data. We're
very similar. We we have we have grind to get
to this position. We know, you know how difficult it
was to get to this position, and we want to
do the best we can with our abilities to bring
success to this organization. We care about this player, I
(28:17):
care about the Astros.
Speaker 9 (28:18):
This is my home.
Speaker 8 (28:20):
And you know, Dana and I had conversation daily about
our staff, you know, about our team, how can we
make things better? And those conversations were were easy and
we doing agree all the time. But I like that,
you know, debate brings people together, Debate creates organization to
(28:41):
come closer, and you find solutions to issues, and and
and Dana is that kind of leader that he wants
everyone to speak up and we could work together.
Speaker 9 (28:52):
So I really appreciated that that.
Speaker 8 (28:54):
You know, the way Dana, you know, ran the organization
and you know when it comes to our players. And
I want to add a few things about Winnaball. You know,
I manage Winna ball, I play winter ball. You Winna ball.
For for players who are getting to the big leagues,
it's very important for their development, not only for the
quality of baseball that they will see down in and
(29:17):
and and you know in the in these countries, but
also you get to you know, you own your own there.
Speaker 9 (29:22):
You don't have a ton of you know, there is
no video.
Speaker 8 (29:27):
There's no this, there's no track man, there's no no
you gotta you gotta grind it out.
Speaker 9 (29:31):
You got to figure it out.
Speaker 8 (29:32):
And at times are young players, we we have all
these tools in there for them that there are important,
but sometimes you get to know about your character and
your toughness when you go down in some of these
countries and you're in you know.
Speaker 9 (29:47):
This is all new for them.
Speaker 8 (29:48):
So I think for their development and building character to
you know, understand how it is to grind in the
big leagues, winterball is a good test.
Speaker 9 (29:58):
So I'm excited at some.
Speaker 8 (29:59):
Of our young players are going to be part of that.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
In this year.
Speaker 8 (30:15):
Well, you know, I haven't talked to Blanco about that,
so when when I do, I you know, Blanco did
pitch a lot this season, so it's their right to
do what they want to do. We can't tell players
not to, Okay, oh yeah, we have conversations with some
of the young players about it.
Speaker 9 (30:35):
They come and ask me, Joe.
Speaker 8 (30:36):
You know, some teams have called for me to go
down and play, and I'm all, I'm all for it,
you know, especially if you need a batch, especially if
you if some of those young players went through injuries
and they lost probably one hundred, one hundred and fifty
of bats.
Speaker 9 (30:50):
Sure go.
Speaker 8 (30:52):
But again it's I'm always you know, I want our
players to go and experience.
Speaker 9 (31:01):
That that that culture, because you you really get to
know a lot of things and learn a lot of
things about about yourself.
Speaker 5 (31:09):
Okay, time for a couple more. We have Matt and
an Ari.
Speaker 12 (31:14):
For both of you, how would you evaluate what you
got from your centerfielders this season and how do you
view that position going forward?
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Yeah, I mean, so Jake Myers got off to a
really good start this year. At one point he had
like a seven to sixty ops and you know, then
he hit you know, a very cold streak. I think
he's really outstanding defensively. I think we have to get
some work done, you know, with his offense and the bat.
He can draw a walk from time to time, but
(31:45):
you know, ultimately we do have some work to do
with his bat. Chas McCormick, you know, we had an
outstanding year in twenty twenty three and uh, you know,
he had over an eight hundred ops with twenty plus
home runs. You know, he just didn't have that type
of year this year. So he's got to go back
to the drawing board. You know, there's a part of
(32:06):
these players that you know, I can remember playing myself.
You have to find yourself right, you have to get there,
you have to get in the gym, you have to grind,
and I think you know, they both will do a
little soul searching and find out, you know, what am
I doing well when I'm doing it right, and try
to stick with it and not get too cute and
make certain changes. And so I think it's going to
(32:28):
start with them. We will lend a helping hand with
our coaching staff. But I think if you ask both
of those guys, they know that they're better and they
should produce a little a lot more.
Speaker 9 (32:38):
So. Yeah, and for me, you know, the floor is
still high with both guys.
Speaker 8 (32:42):
I think they're both really good players and I trust
both guys, but you know, they obviously there could be
adjustments made, especially offensively, but they're still there's still two
really really good players.
Speaker 1 (33:01):
They are.
Speaker 5 (33:01):
And then we'll wrap up over here.
Speaker 22 (33:03):
For Joe, my Spanish isn't great, but I think you
were asked about home losses in the playoffs, correct, Yeah, yes,
can you expand on that in English please? And then
for Dana, do you anticipate any of the arbitration eligible
guys not being tendered?
Speaker 1 (33:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (33:17):
So you know, the question was about you know, playoff.
You know, we did play really well regular season. I
think it was twelve fourteen games of a five hundred
and I said in the off season that that was
not going to be a topic, and as a club,
we we said we're going to turn the page because
we were a really good club on the road. At home,
(33:39):
you know, you can do what we have done for
seven season if you're not a good home club, you know,
playing good at home.
Speaker 9 (33:46):
So I don't think there is anything that I.
Speaker 8 (33:48):
Could pinpoint why we haven't played well at home. And
I don't think it's I'm not concerned about it. We
just ran into a pretty good club and they came
in and and they did what they did. But for
me is you know, my answer was I'm not concerned
about it, and I don't think my players are players
are concerned about it. Is just turning the page and
(34:11):
get ready for twenty five.
Speaker 3 (34:13):
As it relates to the our question, I think that,
you know, just being twenty four hours out our last game,
we will at least entertain all of our URP cases
and we'll you know, meet as a group in the
front office and talk about like, Okay, how can this
(34:33):
guy help us, what is his upside going forward? In
those type of conversations, so we will have multiple conversations
about all of our cases. That's what the plan is.
Speaker 5 (34:46):
Okay, just two more over here and then Challeen Denny.
Speaker 23 (34:49):
You already talked about Josh Hitter and his performance, what
he did in his first season.
Speaker 9 (34:53):
Overall, the back end of the bullpen.
Speaker 23 (34:55):
Briana Brady pitched a bunch of innings this year, career high.
Ryan Presley being in that holding grow since twenty nineteen.
What can you say about what you got from the
back end.
Speaker 9 (35:05):
As a full season.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
Yeah, I mean there were some up and down on
the back end, but ultimately those guys grinded through and
got us back to, you know, a division championship. The
grind of one hundred and sixty two is where I
put a lot of emphasis because you got to get
into the postseason.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
You know.
Speaker 3 (35:25):
Can those guys make some tweaks and adjustments, Yeah, Can
we take some of the workload off them, yeah, And
so we will look to see if we can add
some more pieces to that back end, you know, so
that we don't put so much pressure on the power
three in the back. And so I think with that respect,
I think those guys will you know, will do a
(35:46):
lot better, you know, and instead of using them so
many games, you know we can give them a breather
because you got to remember, every time they come in
the game.
Speaker 1 (35:56):
It's high leverage and high stress.
Speaker 3 (36:00):
All those innings throughout the entire season, it's high leverage
and high stress. And we we we're gonna have to
give those guys somewhat of a breather, particularly when we
go three out of four days with with each of them,
and so that could be taxing high leverage three out
of four days, yeah, multiple times. Uh, it gets it
(36:21):
gets tough on those guys. So I think we'll go
back to the drawing board, try to tighten up some
of our middle guys and maybe get them to pitch
in some of those games that maybe five to two. Uh,
And you don't have to always go to your big power.
Speaker 9 (36:34):
Three, you know.
Speaker 8 (36:35):
And just too, I want to add that, you know,
we did, you know, found out about some of our
some of some of these guys that could step up
in that role that day. And I was talking about
the Taylor Scott's Ryan King, you know he's a left
hand or that you know we rule five coming up
from Tommy John and he.
Speaker 9 (36:53):
Threw the ball really well.
Speaker 8 (36:55):
I think those are guys that I could lean on
in in big spots in the future, they show that
they have it to do it. So, you know, I'm
excited about some of the questions that you're usually trying
to answer in the offseason through free agency. We have
some pieces already in the organization that we can that
(37:16):
we can consider for those roles.
Speaker 15 (37:20):
The club just carried its highest payroll in team history,
and there's a good bit of money tied up to
guys coming back and guys that aren't on your roster anymore.
How much financial flexibility have you been told you'll have
this winter to do what you want to do and
to upgrade this team.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
Well, I would say Jim has always been committed to winning,
and so I mean that's a that's a good thing.
I think we're going to have to make some, you know,
wise decisions as to you know, are there younger players
that you know, we can call up and put in
certain rows, you know, to maybe save some money here
and then we could use allocate that money to use
(37:58):
in other places. I think we're going to have those
kinds of conversations and we may have to get a
little bit creative, but ultimately we've seen the commitment you
know that Crane has to this club in terms of,
you know, nine out of ten postseason appearances, you know,
just coming off to seven straits yess that ended this year.
(38:21):
But when it comes to winning and the postseason, you know,
we have the commitment of ownership, which is pretty exciting,
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