Tri-city deflects Houston troubles
Affiliate defends its reputation in wake of Astros’ cheating scandal
For the past few years, the Tri-city Valleycats could take pride in being an affiliate of the Houston Astros, one of baseball’s dominant franchises and a World Series champion in 2017.
Now the Valleycats find themselves connected to a franchise that’s in the middle of the game’s cheating scandal, leading to the firing of Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch on Monday.
Tri-city general manager Matt Callahan said Wednesday he hopes the Astros’ black eye over the sign-stealing episode doesn’t bruise the Valleycats’ reputation with fans in the Capital Region.
“It’s tough to say,” Callahan said. “For us, we’re obviously a totally separate business entity from the Houston Astros. We have a player-development contract with them and an affiliate relationship. It’s a disappointing situation. I mean, there’s no two ways about that. But I think from our perspective, we try to stand on our own feet. We try to do things the right way in the community and I think we have a track record of doing that for a long time. I think people understand the Valleycats are a different organization than the Houston Astros. So I think the people will continue to stand by
us and hopefully come out to the ballpark as much as ever.”
Luhnow did make trips to Bruno Stadium to see Astros’ prospects perform with the Valleycats. He was most recently seen there in 2017 on his way to attend Jeff Bagwell’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame three years ago. Hinch never played or managed in Tri-city.
While the Astros decided to part ways with both men, they also lose their first- and second-round draft picks this year and next year as part of Major League Baseball’s punishment following an investigation.
That could directly affect the Valleycats on the field because drafted players often are assigned to Tri-city as their first professional team. For example, Houston first-round pick Korey Lee of California and secondround selection Grae Kessinger of Ole Miss both made their debuts with the Valleycats last year.
Callahan pointed out that team didn’t make the playoffs.
“I don’t know that the rounds that guys are drafted in always directly translated to success at our level,” Callahan said. “I think at our level, where they’re focusing on development, I don’t know if having the first- and second-round picks are always keys to on-field success.”
He also said since the
Astros don’t pick high in the first round because of their success, it shouldn’t hurt the Valleycats at the box office.
“I think where the Astros have been picking over the past few years, (the impact) is pretty negligible,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a makeor-break for most of the people who are coming to the ballpark more for the experience for the family atmosphere and the entertainment.”
The Astros have yet to announce Tri-city’s manager and coaching staff for this season. Houston didn’t retain Ozney Guillen, who managed the Valleycats last year. It’s not clear when Houston will release that news with the franchise searching for a major league general manager and manager.
Tri-city goes into this season not knowing whether it could be the team’s last as an Astros affiliate. MLB’S contract with Minor League Baseball expires after this season and the sides are in negotiations. MLB has proposed cutting 42 minor league teams, though the Valleycats aren’t among those targeted for contraction.
Under the MLB proposal, the Valleycats could end up paired with a major league club other than the Astros for the 2021 season.
“I know (talks) are obviously ongoing,” Callahan said. “I haven’t heard anything substantive.”