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| Porter finished with a 110-190 record in Houston. Photo Credit: Getty Images |
The first firing of a manager has taken place just as the calendar has flipped to September. This one was not just a matter of if, it was much more a matter of when it would take place after the dysfunction that had been occurring during the season between manager and GM.
By: Michael Hanley
“We wish Bo and his family well, and feel he will be successful in future endeavors.”
This situation does not scream immediate success for whoever next becomes the Astros skipper. This is a club that needs to continue its maturation process, continue to add players who can help the rebuilding process continue to take the proper steps. Most importantly, patience is needed on the next manager’s apart and GM Jeff Luhnow.
These young players need a stable environment to where they can develop as players and young men. Changing the manager every so often can create an unstable place where a young team like Houston has stunts its own growth and delays the return to relevancy that much more.
Follow me on Twitter: @Magic20099
The Houston Astros announced manager Bo Porter and bench coach Dave Trembley have been fired from their duties with the organization. Tom Lawless will be put in charge as manager for the rest of the season as the club plays out the last third of the season.
The Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow issued an official statement on the firings of Bo Porter and Dave Trembley:
“Earlier today, I informed Bo Porter that he would no longer be our manager and told Dave Trembley that he would not complete the season as our bench coach.
“Bo's passion and energy are unparalleled, and his desire to win unquestioned. This decision was not made because of our current level of competitiveness in the Major Leagues. I recognize that our win-loss record is largely a product of an organizational strategy for which I am responsible. Rather, I made this decision because I believe we need a new direction in our clubhouse.
“What we will seek going forward is a consistent and united message throughout the entire organization. It is essential that as an organization we create an atmosphere at the Major League level where our young players can come up and continue to develop and succeed. Ultimately, I am responsible for creating that culture, and I will do everything in my power to do so—even when it means making difficult moves like the one we made today.
“Moving forward, I am optimistic about the direction of our team. Our young core continues to progress, and I believe wholeheartedly that our plan—while at times challenging—is working and will bring a consistent winner to Houston in the very near future.
“We wish Bo and his family well, and feel he will be successful in future endeavors.”
This was not much of a surprise that Porter was fired. This had been building up for quite sometime as the relationship between Porter and GM Jeff Luhnow continued to be strained and one that would never be fully put back together. There were several instances of a lack of communication between the two men which really sent this partnership to its ultimate demise.
One big example of that is when Luhnow initially did not tell Porter that their number one pick from last year Mark Appel would be throwing a bullpen session for pitching coach Brent Strom in Houston. This put Porter in a very awkward and difficult situation as he then had to tell his team of the situation that was happening. The very sight of Appel throwing a bullpen session put some players into a fit of rage as they saw him as a player getting special treatment and one not worthy of being promoted.
Another instance where the Porter and Luhnow relationship took a turn for the worse was when Porter he went to the owner of the team, Jim Crane, to talk about the frustration he was having with Luhnow, specifically the second questioning by the GM of his in game management moves and also the lack of communication between the two on a regular basis.
You know the GM/manager relationship has gone south when the manager is not comfortable enough to go to the GM and air out his problems face to face but instead go over his head and go straight to the owner. This move no question ticked Luhnow off to some extent and added to the list of things that would eventually push Porter out of the door as Astros manager.
The Astros managerial job is not for the faint of heart. This job is one of the toughest, if not the toughest job to experience sustained success in with how the franchise is constituted right now. This is an organization that if they do not lose 100 games this season, that would be considered actual, marked progress.
Now they do have some very talented young players they are building around such as second baseman Jose Altuve, centerfielder Dexter Fowler and pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh.They are great building blocks for Houston and be the foundation to long term success and putting the Astros back on the map but they still need a lot more help from their supporting cast.
The Astros still have glaring needs at key positions on the roster and need to add depth as well.It looks as if they need at least a couple more first round high picks to infuse the team and organization with more elite level talent that can grow and develop for them.
This situation does not scream immediate success for whoever next becomes the Astros skipper. This is a club that needs to continue its maturation process, continue to add players who can help the rebuilding process continue to take the proper steps. Most importantly, patience is needed on the next manager’s apart and GM Jeff Luhnow.
These young players need a stable environment to where they can develop as players and young men. Changing the manager every so often can create an unstable place where a young team like Houston has stunts its own growth and delays the return to relevancy that much more.
Follow me on Twitter: @Magic20099
