“We’re Going to Grind It Out”: Astros GM Dana Brown Vows Trade Deadline Acquisitions Over Selling Spree

A month of mediocre baseball hasn’t deterred Dana Brown, the resolute normal supervisor of the Houston Astros. Regardless of their underperformance and a roster ravaged by accidents, Brown stays steadfast in his perception that the Astros might be patrons, not sellers, on the upcoming commerce deadline.

“I don’t see any state of affairs the place we’re sellers. I feel we’re going to be patrons,” Brown declared earlier than Monday’s collection opener towards the St. Louis Cardinals. This unwavering stance, whereas crucial to keep up clubhouse morale, raises questions concerning the franchise’s long-term future.

Dana Brown’s confidence seems to contradict the Astros’ precise state of affairs. They started Monday 7 1/2 video games behind the first-place Seattle Mariners within the American League West, having gained solely 14 of their earlier 26 video games. Based on FanGraphs, Houston has a 19.9 % probability of profitable the division and a 34.1% probability of incomes a wildcard spot within the playoffs.

“I’ve seen groups blow leads from 5 video games as much as seven video games up in September. In Atlanta after we gained the World Collection, we didn’t get to .500 till recreation 100,” Brown recounted, repeating his prior remarks on MLB Community. “I don’t foresee us being sellers in any respect. We’re going to grind it out. I feel we’re going to get again to .500 earlier than folks understand it and we’ll be again within the race.”

Brown anticipates the Astros’ June schedule, which options video games towards struggling groups, to be a turning second. Nonetheless, a nasty efficiency might power the Astros to rethink their technique. Regardless of proprietor Jim Crane’s unwillingness to promote, a depleted farm system and a payroll that surpasses the primary aggressive steadiness tax degree might necessitate exploring commerce alternate options for gamers like Alex Bregman, Framber Valdez, Kyle Tucker, Ryan Pressly, and Justin Verlander.

Dana Brown’s unwavering confidence within the Astros’ potential

When questioned concerning the potential of promoting, Brown stated, “We must actually collapse for that to occur. The pitching must be struggling. The hitters must be struggling. If there’s any signal of hope, I can’t see us doing it,” his perception in his workforce’s potential being greater than crystal clear. “Proper now, even if you’re shedding and the gamers are nonetheless taking part in effectively and also you’re shedding one-run video games, two-run video games, in some unspecified time in the future you’re feeling prefer it’s going to show round,” he stated. “I don’t really feel like there’s any state of affairs the place we’re going to be sellers. The workforce is simply too good.”

Whereas Dana Brown acknowledges the significance of offensive reinforcements, notably a left-handed hitter, and the continuing search of pitching depth, his alternate options are restricted by a dearth of prospects and a hefty wage. Crane’s willingness to surpass the second aggressive steadiness tax degree is unknown, however an actual shot at a World Collection win might persuade the proprietor.

“We haven’t hit all cylinders but,” Brown highlighted. “The truth that we haven’t hit all cylinders but tells me quite a bit. As soon as we hit all cylinders—we received sizzling there for a minute and it appeared good for a couple of week—I feel that’s coming a number of occasions. I feel we’re going to get sizzling in some unspecified time in the future. I’m not in panic mode. We received 102 video games left and I feel this workforce is a extremely good workforce.”

The Astros have an apparent route ahead: improve their on-field efficiency. Their capability to take action will determine if Dana Brown’s daring promise to amass earlier than the deadline turns into a actuality or a distant reminiscence.