If I were running things with the Astros and too much of a scaredy-cat to talk to people face-to-face, I would have left a few short notes in some of the players’ lockers after the last game. Just some thoughts on what those notes might look like….
Christian Walker and Bennett Sousa
“Guys, I know you are tired and probably a bit frustrated with yourselves. (And if you are not – I suggest you spend a lot of film time digesting your season.) But don’t turn on the fans. They invested the last six months in this team (and for many of us 50+ years before that) and saw a lot of up-and-down play. Maybe you think they don’t have the right to boo the home team. Maybe you think that Jim Crane pays you. I guarantee that the fans – through tickets, food, souvenirs, cable TV, watching 8 gazillion ads – are the source of your income. They earned the right to boo you, and frankly, if you were playing in Philadelphia, you would have heard a lot more of this a lot earlier. Pull up those big boy pants and do better or shut up.”
“Joe, the farther this team went this season, the more times I shook my head trying to figure out how they were anywhere close to .500.
Fans will always question the manager’s decisions. It is their right, but every manager has to make a thousand decisions a week, and sometimes they are the wrong ones just because the players are imperfect (like you are). This team could have given up after so many early-season failures and injuries, but you did not let that happen.
How you were able to mix and match your way through so many short stints by your starters, I don’t know. Did you wear out your bullpen? What choice did you have?
Your positive attitude and the way you never threw the players under the bus (outside the clubhouse) were admirable.
I figure I’ve seen your last game managing the Astros. If it is, the best of luck to you – if not, I hope you are dealt a better roster the next time you put on the Astros uniform.”
“Yordan, what can I say? I know there will always be people who wanted you to rise up and hit four homers in the playoffs or something like that, but considering how few decent pitches you were being thrown, we should not complain. If not for your season, this team would have been the Seattle Mariners or lower.
You should get the MVP. I don’t know what else you could have done this season for this team other than learning to pitch or driving the bus.”
“Hunter, you are the most frustrating Astro to me, because you pitched much below your talent level. I’m not deducting points for you missing a chunk of the season. I am deducting points for your Framber-ish meltdowns when someone makes an error, an ABS review goes against you, a hitter gets on with a dribbler, etc.
Maybe you need to go to Anger Management classes, therapy, or yoga lessons… something.
Come back better. Please.”
“Cam, you have elite talent. Whatever you are doing in the off-season, do something different. Train with someone else. Work on what your weaknesses are. Something.
And if you don’t know what your weaknesses are, ask somebody or hire somebody.
You are still young enough to really turn things around. I want to see the best from you – because when it has been on display, it has been breathtaking. “
“Bryan – I’m not sure what to say to you. You pitched awful trying to be the closer. You pitched much better in your normal eighth-inning spot. You are a free agent now. I am ambivalent about the Astros re-signing you, especially if you want some big raise. You did not earn it this year. Good luck wherever you may be next year.”
“Peter, you were the savior for this rotation this year. You led the team in starts (29 vs. 20 for Hunter Brown), innings (155.2 vs. 107.1 for Brown) and wins (8 vs. 7 for….anyone, anyone, Spencer Arrighetti). Note: you should have had 12–15 wins with decent support.
You are a free agent and can likely sign for more money and years somewhere else and no one would blame you for that. Thank you for what you did for this year’s team.”
“Bro, you are on the precipice of being THAT guy. The guy who held on too long. The guy who is a defensive liability. The guy who is in the lineup because so much of the lineup is so bad.
And truthfully, I can’t blame you. You are trying. You are chasing the big 3000 hits, which almost feels like a bridge too far at this point.
I’m not telling you to quit. I’m asking you to work on being more like the guy at the beginning of the season, who stayed within the strike zone and hit the ball the other way and up the middle. I’m asking you to move just a little bit closer to the plate.
I’d love you to spend your career here, but I don’t want you to be hurting the club rather than helping the club.”
“Josh – you were critical to the Astros having any chance of getting back to .500 and into the playoffs. I wonder if the Astros would get the second seed in the AL if you hadn’t missed the couple of months at the beginning of the season. Whatever you did to prepare and hit the ground running, please repeat.
Also, don’t get discouraged by potential talk about being traded. This has nothing to do with your performance or value to the team and everything to do with the team’s current situation.
And thank you and your wife Maria for all you do for this community. Being nominated for the Roberto Clemente award for a team where so much charity work is sourced is quite an achievement and shows your dedication to your new town.”
“Tatsuya – it is a little sad to me that your problems here were not of a physical nature but perhaps based on isolation and discomfort in a new place.
I don’t know what you will decide about extending your contract or opting out. No one would blame you if you wanted to return to your homeland. No one would blame you if you decided to try again (especially with that much guaranteed money). But money, in and of itself, cannot buy you happiness. Whatever you decide, I hope you find success and happiness.”
This could obviously continue on throughout the roster and even include leaving notes on Jim Crane’s and Jeff Bagwell’s desks.
But that is why you are here. To whom would you like to leave a note, and what would you say to them?
One response to “Quick notes to some Astros”
As a season ticket holder I will get a chance to leave a note, when they survey my satisfaction. My comments will be: if you want me to continue as a STH then pick a direction: reload or rebuild. The worst possible scenario is a .500 team with no future. My plan: hire a strong GM; trade Diaz and Peña for 4-5 stud pitchers and a SS. Find a way to move Walker. Trade/sign 2 MLB outfielders. Re-sign Okert, Lambert. DFA Trammell, Jake, King. DH Altuve as much as possible. Limit Bagwell to helping minor leaguers.
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