Astros cashing in on big risks
Key personnel moves push former doormat within 2 games of title
HOUSTON — There’s so much to like about the Astros.
We’re not talking about how they’ve buoyed the spirits of a hurricane-ravaged city, though that certainly adds to the appeal now that they’re just two victories from their first World Series championship.
And we’re certainly not overlooking the racist nonsense from first baseman Yuli Gurriel, who pulled on the corners of his eyes after homering against Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish during Friday night’s 5-3 victory. Gurriel was subsequently suspended for the first five games next season but will not have to sit during the World Series.
Besides the gesture, Gurriel also used a derogatory Spanish term in reference to Darvish, who was born in Japan.
“I made an offensive gesture that was indefensible,” Gurriel said in a statement released by the Astros. “I sincerely apologize to everyone that I offended with my actions. I deeply regret it. I would particularly like to apologize to Yu Darvish, a pitcher that I admire and respect.”
Despite that blot, it’s important to remember that this team recently endured three straight 100-loss seasons, the result of its very conscious decision to strip down to nothing at the big-league level and rebuild the franchise from scratch.
If they ever make a movie about this team, it should be called “All the Right Moves (Mostly), Part II.”
They built around an undersized second baseman, Jose Altuve, who’ll likely be the AL’s most valuable player.
They stuck with oncestruggling sinkerballer Dallas Keuchel, who won the Cy Young Award two years ago and went 14-5 this season.
They drafted shortstop Carlos Correa and third baseman Alex Bregman, who now compose a dynamic left side of the infield.
They drafted Lance McCullers Jr. and traded for Brad Peacock, who got the win and the save, respectively, in Game 3.
They plucked Gurriel out of Cuba, signed outfielder Josh Reddick, traded for designated hitter Evan Gattis and picked up veteran catcher Brian McCann for next to nothing.
Then, just before the deadline for postseason eligibility, they acquired ace pitcher Justin Verlander to bolster their October hopes. How’s that working out? Verlander was 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA in his last five starts of the regular season, and he’s won four more games in the postseason .
“I’m proud of these guys,” said Peacock. “It’s a special team, a special lineup, a special group of guys.”
It wasn’t a special team back in 2012. Jeff Luhnow had just been hired as general manager, and the Astros went 55-107 in his first season.
In 2013, they fell to 51-111, worst in franchise history.
Now here they are, just four years later, leading the mighty Dodgers 2-1 in the World Series.
No GM gets them all right. Certainly, Luhnow has had a few clunkers.
Heading into the 2014 season, Luhnow cut outfielder J.D. Martinez. In 2013, the Astros had a chance to draft Kris Bryant with the No. 1 pick but took pitcher Mark Appel, who never made the majors.
But the Astros certainly have had more hits than misses. And now they’re two wins from a title.