Contract extension a done deal for Hinch

Manager owns best winning percentage in franchise history STAFF WRITER

The Astros are scheduled to announce a contract extension for manager A.J. Hinch on Thursday, a source confirmed to the Chronicle on Wednesday.

General manager Jeff Luhnow did not respond to a request for comment.

Hinch’s contract was set to expire after this season, but the deal did have a club option for 2019. Terms of Hinch’s new agreement were not yet known.

Hired in 2015 to replace Bo Porter, Hinch owns the highest winning percentage (.570) of any manager in franchise history. Two of his three clubs have reached postseason play, including the 2017 World Series championship team.

All four of his teams — including the current club which leads the American League West by 2½ games — have finished above .500.

An affable 44-year-old with a psychology degree from Stanford, Hinch is renowned for his measured demeanor and relatable persona within his clubhouse. He spent eight years as a catcher before transitioning to Arizona’s manager of minor league operations.

A forgettable, two-season managerial tenure with the Diamondbacks in 2009-10 sent him back into front-office work with the San Diego Padres. Four years later, and after interviewing for other managerial positions, he resigned and was hired in Houston.

Hinch finished third in manager of the year voting during both the 2015 and 2017 seasons.

An extension for Hinch was long thought of but rarely addressed. The manager deflected questions about his contract status throughout this season.

At a news conference announcing his promotion to president of baseball operations in June, Luhnow singled out Hinch in his opening remarks, calling the manager a “partner” and “great friend.”

“My goal,” Luhnow said after the news conference, “is to have him here as my manager for as long as I’m here.”