Friday Morning Hot Links

IT'S GAMEDAY. According to ESPN the New York Yankees will play History & Tradition tonight at  7:08pm in a game that just happens to be at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

*The Yankees will start Masahiro Tanaka in G1 against Dallas Keuchel. Luis Severino will face Justin Verlander in G2, with CC Sabathia and Sonny Gray going in Games 3 & 4. Tanaka started ALDS G3 in which he and the Yankees bullpen shutout the Indians on their way to a 1-0 win. Girardi:
He's had some really big starts, his last two starts have been outstanding. And there's a lot of times that he really gets on a roll and he puts a bunch of them together and we're going to need a good one from him tomorrow.

*The roof will be closed for Games 1 & 2. Hinch:
So bring your earplugs. Be ready. It's a pretty loud environment.

*Phil Garner will throw out the first pitch.

*NY Post's Ken Davidoff notes Jose Altuve's speed, and his history in Houston. Ed Wade, on the Astros' "Express Lane" of rushing players to the Majors:
We were concerned not so much about how they would handle moving up as we were about how they would deal with getting moved back down if things didn't work out. Jose had the makeup and desire to make us think he was someone we could challenge.

*Three of the five NY Post baseball writers picked the Astros to win the Pennant.

*NY Post's Joel Sherman says the Yankees have a blueprint to beat the Astros, it's just hard to follow.

*The New York Daily News gave Didi Gregorius the edge over Carlos Correa.

*Now that the Yankees have set their pitching staff for the first four games (the Astros have only named Keuchel/Verlander), FiveThirtyEight gives the Astros a 57-43 edge in their ALCS simulations. G1 simulated out to an Astros win 56% of the time, and G2 59%.

*FanGraphs updated the Astros' simulations to a 59.3% ALCS win.

*Tyler Clippard, on video game versions of Aaron Judge and Jose Altuve:
It's different spectrums. It's like when you're playing a video game: Do you grow the guy all the way up or shrink him all the way down and give him all this power and all this speed? And then you've got those two players.

*Mike Axisa: The Indians showed the Astros how to shut down Aaron Judge.

*Toronto Star's Richard Griffin says the Astros have the offense to hold off the Yankees.

*LA Times' Pedro Moura, on Dallas Keuchel and the Yankees.

*Mike Lupica writes about how the Astros have a chance to do something no team has ever done before: beat the Red Sox and Yankees in the same postseason.

*Jenny Dial Creech notes how important Yuli Gurriel has been to the Astros. Hinch:
I didn't know he was going to get multiple hits in every game in the postseason. But I think his ability to handle the stress and anxiety that comes with the situations is not surprising. He's been on the international stage. He's been the central sports figure of a country where baseball is beloved, so I think his personality that has come out this year, his exuberance, his overall consistent play has been something we've expected. It's nice to see it play out.

*Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann saw the resurgence of the Yankees' youth movement first-hand.

*Hunter Atkins: Is it weird for managers (like Hinch) to alter their bullpen usage so drastically?

*Carlos Beltran is (obviously) hopeful this is the year he gets a ring.

*Kyle Tucker was 1x2 with 2BB and Yordan Alvarez was 2x5 yesterday in the Arizona Fall League.

*Oh the Braves are screwed.

Nay, the Phillies totally meant to get fleeced in the Pence deal

It's been a busy week for your Constable, between going to a conference, the first six rounds of the draft, and then driving to Alabama, to watch his brother-in-law graduate from college, and back. But the Most Notable story of the weekend has to be this one:

Jose de Jesus Ortiz reported that the Phillies basically accidentally traded Domingo Santana as the player to be named later to the Astros, in addition to Jarred Cosart, Jon Singleton, and Josh Zeid:

In Spring Training, a Phillies official admitted that Santana wasn't actually supposed to be on the list that was given to the Astros to pick from to satisfy the final piece on August 15, 2011.

Well. CSNPhilly's Jim Salisbury says Phillies GM Ruben Amaro says Nay! that's not true. According to Amaro:

We didn't want to put Santana on the list but we had to get the deal done. There were several prospects we didn't want to part with in that deal but we were trying to acquire the best right-handed hitter on the market and that was the price. I understand we're going to get picked apart because we haven't had success for a couple of years, but this is not true...There was no mistake. If someone said that, they are misinformed because it's absolutely, unequivocally wrong. It's false.

Now Ortiz was wise to couch this language in that it came from A Phillies Official. Say what you want about Ortiz, but there's no way he just makes that crap up on his own - 22 months after the deal is made. So it's a Phillies official who is mistaken - which is great. Why? Because either the Phillies:

(a) Totally screwed up and accidentally let a prospect walk
(b) Gave up way too much for Hunter Pence, whom they traded 367 days later for not much of anything at all
(c) Can't trust their Unnamed Officials.

It's pretty great not being an absolute train-wreck of a franchise anymore. But you know what would be the Greatest Twist of All? If Ed Wade was the Phillies Official...

Ed Wade wrote a book

Dave Raymond had a couple of bizarre tweets this afternoon - one about Cecil Cooper still being able to hit .300 and one about Ed Wade's new book.

Yes. You read that right. Ed Wade wrote "Delayed Honor." Here's the summary:

Steve Laun returns home to attend the funeral of a father he hasn't seen in years, only to learn that his father's "accidental" death is cloaked in mystery. With the help of neighbors and a burning desire to correct wrongs on a number of fronts, Laun sets out to get to the bottom of his father's death, and, in the process, uncovers and thwarts the efforts of a local arms dealer with worldwide terrorist connections. While following Laun's quest for justice, we learn that there is more to Steve Laun than meets the eye.

It's $9.99 for your Kindle. There is one customer review, and it was given five stars.

Wade was just following orders

Jerome Solomon has an article up about Ed Wade:

It says something about his character that Wade still won't criticize former Astros owner Drayton McLane for basically gutting the franchise and not giving Wade a chance to put together a competitive ballclub.

Wade didn't call the plays; he just ran the offense.

"It behooves one to follow the directives of the owner," Wade said.

Ed Wade Speaks!

Ed Wade sat down with Bob Brookover for an interview and discussed his past few months.

Wade:
I did not want a token position. I didn't need it from an economic standpoint and I don't want to just be there. The role they carved out for me is very fulfilling. I'll have a chance to see the entire system from the major leagues to the Gulf Coast League. I'll scout a few outside triple-A and big-league clubs."

On the location of Wade's heart:
"My heart and soul is with the Phillies. I want to wear a ring that says Phillies on it. I still get a paycheck from the Astros and I want all those kids we acquired, whether it was from the Phillies or Atlanta in the Michael Bourn deal, to show up at the big-league level and be good players. They all have a chance to be really good players."

Amaro:
"Ed is not someone who has a tremendous ego," Amaro said. "I don't see any downside to this."

The most unbelievable believable thing you'll read all night

Richard Justice a hot little rumor:

Hearing former Astros GM Ed Wade will end up back with Phillies as a scout

There are simply too many jokes that I can't pick just one.

Update: You know, the joke actually makes itself. No need for another one.

The Case For/Against Ed Wade

It's now been 24-36 hours since we found out about the dismissal of Ed Wade. How about a point/counterpoint?

Juvenile Court Clerk

Once Jim Crane was officially approved as the new Astros owner, he hinted very strongly that changes would be made, and quickly at that. Most correctly guessed that the dismissal of Ed Wade would be one of those changes. After all, Houston had just wrapped up the worst season in franchise history while essentially fielding a team of nothing but rookies and role players. On top of that the farm system, while improving, was still considered one of the poorer in baseball. But I argue that the cause of our dereliction wasn't Wade, but McLane and his bipolar approach towards team building.

When Wade joined the organization in 2007 the writing was already on the wall concerning the decline of the franchise, but McLane had not yet found his reading glasses. Wade was tasked with rebuilding the farm system while keeping the parent club competitive. Oh, and payroll, despite being burdened with the Carlos Lee contract, was being cut at the same time. And Eddie tried. His first big move was trading our increasingly expensive demoralized closer Brad Lidge for a promising young outfielder named Michael Bourn in the first of his multiple deals with the Phillies. Then it is widely assumed that McLane directs Wade to trade half of our AAA team for Miguel Tejeda, who promptly ages faster than Robin Williams in Jack.

The next of Wade's major deals came when Houston surprisingly found themselves in a pennant race in the second half of the 2008 season. In moves that were almost universally laughed at at the time, Wade turned two non-prospects into Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins, a solid SP and setup man for the stretch run. After just missing the post season, McLane decides it's time to tighten the purse strings a little more. Unable to resign Wolf, Wade is forced to find 40% of the starting rotation for less than $3M. Then, faced with the ever injured Kaz Matsui's latest injury, Wade turns AAAA IF Drew Sutton into fan favorite Jeff Keppinger.

And this pattern continued for the next couple years. Though he struggled filling holes through free agency on a bargain basement budget, he continued to find value through waiver claims and under the radar trades. Matt Lindstrom, Jose Valverde, Wesley Wright, Alberto Arias, Wilton Lopez, Jason Bourgeois, Nelson Figueroa, Matt Downs, Enerio Del Rosario, and Lucas Harrell were picked off other teams scrap piles and have provided decent, not great, but decent value to the Astros. He turned Kevin Cash, a non-factor, into Angel Sanchez, a serviceable infielder. Felipe Paulino became Clint Barmes, and now a supplemental draft pick. Pedro Feliz became David Carpenter.

Finally given the green light to go all in on a rebuild, Wade traded Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence, and Michael Bourn over the past two season. While early indications are mixed on these four deals Houston has received some interesting pieces in return. Names like Jonathan Singleton, Jimmy Paredes, Jonathan Villar, Mark Melancon, Domingo Santana, Brett Oberholtzer, Jarred Cosart, and Paul Clemens should give Astros fans something to look forward to in a couple seasons when they join recent draft picks like George Springer and Mike Foltynewicz and young major leaguers J.D. Martinez and Jose Altuve.

In all, Wade was given a nigh-impossible task that became increasingly difficult as his time with Houston went on. Ownership interference and uncertainty will make even the best GM look silly at times, but I think when the Astros are atop the AL West, Ed Wade's fingerprints will be evident on the team.

The Constable

Where do you even start with building a case against Ed Wade? I completely respect the Juvenile Court Clerk's opinion that Drayton bears a large burden of the responsibility, but the firing of Ed Wade simply had to happen, even if it means that Jim Crane will be paying him for the next two seasons. Attendance is dwindling, fans are irate about the move to the American League, and, oh yeah, the team just had its worst season in franchise history, finishing 50 games under .500. The change just simply had to be made. Jim Crane just finished up a six-month process that saw his credibility challenged. Ask your average Astros fan what they know about Jim Crane, and you'll likely hear a response that has to do with allegations of racism.

Jim Crane has to get the fans' collective minds off of that, and off of the AL move. He has to make this franchise his own, and you don't start off on a $610m investment by leaving the previous owner's GM in place.

Ed made some solid moves. Picking Brett Myers off the scrap heap. Getting what he did for Hunter Pence. But Ed Wade made some indefensible moves. Signing Myers and Wandy to those long-term, expensive extensions. Kaz Matsui, Bill Hall, Miguel Tejada (yeah, he was an All-Star, but for a team that did not need to acquire a shortstop who aged two years in one Jeremy Schaap interview). Already writers and bloggers are trying to figure out which GM they'll be able to make fun of now. Wade never had a chance, his reputation was sealed, as a bumbling, middle reliever-lover, who was around simply to please the Phillies.

Wade started the rebuilding project, but when most feel like Michael Bourn was the better player of the Bourn/Pence tandem, and when Wade looked like he crapped the bed on the negotiations, it didn't exactly inspire confidence in his ability.

Could Ed Wade get the job done? Eventually, maybe. The Phillies certainly reaped the benefits of Ed Wade's beginning. But Wade was a polarizing figure who needed to go so that Crane could start to reinvent the franchise into one that could more adequately meet the extreme challenges the Astros are now facing. Drayton deserves to share the blame, but he's gone, too. So it is with Wade.

Thoughts from the Crawfish Boxes

Here are some good thoughts from the Crawfish Boxes on the events of the last 12 hours.

Your money quote:
I know Crane got the $70 million for negotiating in the months between the July vote and the November confirmation. He probably was able to then use some of that savings to justify eating two years of Wade's contract. But, it still stinks. Selig ramrodded this whole AL move down the Houston franchise's throat and it cost him more than just money. It cost him time.

The "Real Ed Wade" (from 2005)

Here's the text of a PhillyBurbs story from 2005 on the real Ed Wade, and what a douche he was.

An excerpt:
Late this summer, Wade repeatedly chewed out closer Billy Wagner - sometimes in person, sometimes over the phone - for comments he read in the newspaper and during contract negotiations. Wagner took this verbal abuse for a while, then got fed up and began hanging up on Wade.

Years earlier, Wade called a team meeting to scream at players. One pitcher said everyone buried their heads in their arms so Wade couldn't see them laughing at him.

Two springs ago, Wade was furious at Phillies beat writers, called a morning meeting and cursed for about 20 minutes. I still have the tape from that one. You should hear it. It's something else, right out of the Lee Elia school of bleeps. He got personal. Ask Philadelphia Daily News baseball writer Marcus Hayes, who remained calm as his character was assassinated and he was being called an officious [bleep]."

On a Sunday in July 2004, the day Eric Milton flirted with a no-hitter, Wade lost it in front of the Phillies dugout when Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Sam Carchidi asked him if "there were any trade developments." Carchidi, who does not cover the team regularly, was told with anger: "If you were here everyday, you would know." Wade ended the shouting match by saying, "Kiss my [bleeping bleep], Sam."

It's incendiary, and as Randy Miller writes:
This isn't about kicking a man when he's down. It's about shedding some truth about the Wade era.

The hell is an Evergreen Provision?

Zach Levine just tweeted:

Ed Wade said that because of an evergreen provision, his deal was guaranteed through 2013, not 2012.

UPDATE: Zach Levine has the story:
Former Astros general manager Ed Wade had a provision in his contract that guaranteed his 2013 salary in addition to his 2012 figure, he said Monday morning a day after his firing was announced by the Astros. In conjunction with the evergreen provision that triggered the renewal of his deal for what would have been a sixth season in 2013, his dismissal leaves the Astros on the hook for two years of his salary in addition to that of their new general manager.

So...what the hell is an evergreen provision? The "evergreen" term indicates, according to the HOA Law Blog, that the contract could - in theory - last forever.
When the board receives a proposed contract with an evergreen provision that automatically renews the contract (they're called evergreen provisions because the contract could virtually last forever), the board has options.
First, the board could just say no. Most vendors will relent and agree to a more reasonable termination provision. If the board is putting a contract up for bid, tell the vendors upfront that you are not going to agree to an evergreen termination provision nor an extended term of contract, and that the board wants the ability to terminate the contract for cause.

Investopedia says (though obviously not in the context of baseball):
...Rather than go through the process of approving allotments every year, a company can adopt what is known as an evergreen option provision, which provides for an automatic allotment of equity compensation every year.

These types of provisions are highly discouraged:
Rather than agreeing to an evergreen provision, suggest that both parties mutually agree upon additional one-year increments in writing, at the end of each term. If the other party insists on an evergreen term, negotiate a reasonably conscribed no cause termination clause. This will significantly reduce the risk associated with inadvertently rolling into an additional year, as you can simply exercise the “out” clause and terminate the agreement.

Hooray for Drayton! The Astros are giving Ed Wade a two-year paid vacation!

Wade knew on Wednesday

Happy Thanksgiving, huh? Ed Wade was told last Wednesday that he would not be returning in 2012.

Wade:
“There was really no discussion beyond that. I did have an opportunity to talk about some of our staff and the esteem I hold them and [manager Brad Mills]. It was a very brief conversation. We’ll move forward from here.”

Ed Wade, Tal Smith out

So it happened. Late last (Sunday) night, before the heart-to-heart meetings were scheduled to take place, Jim Crane and CEO George Postolos dismissed Ed Wade and Tal Smith.

In a statement released by the team last night, Postolos wrote:
“With the change in ownership, we would like a fresh start in baseball operations. We have told Ed and Tal that we are making a change. We recognize their dedication to the Houston Astros. We thank each of them for their significant contributions and many years of service to the Astros, and wish them our very best as they pursue new opportunities.”

Wade was under contract through 2012, so he'll get a year's worth of paid vacation. Tal Smith will head off to a farm in Connecticut so he can run freely through a field.

Who are they looking for?
“We are searching for a candidate who has the knowledge, skills and experience to build a winner and a strong commitment to player development in order to sustain success. Our goal is to consistently compete for a championship, and we know the first step towards that goal is to develop one of the top farm systems in baseball. We will hire the best candidate available to achieve our goal.”

Tal Smith isn't happy about it. He told Mark Berman:
"I wrote Jim Crane on June 8th, a four or five page letter asking for a meeting. He responded by e-mail that very day and he said 'I am currently on the road traveling until next week. I'll give you a call next week to set up a time for us to get together. Thanks for your letter.' I have yet to hear from him. After 54 years in the game and 35 years of service to the Astros, I'm disappointed that I never got the chance to really sit down and talk to Jim."

Now, I can certainly understand that. But Crane had some pretty big issues to deal with. Like dealing with constant allegations of racism, war profiteering, and Bud Selig. Could Crane meet with Tal Smith and plan the future when it was up in the air if he would actually own the team?

We'll be addressing that, and a number of other topics related to this news, as the day moves on.

This is the kind of story that makes a blogger want to clear his schedule

Smilin' Ken Rosenthal has a story up with some rumors regarding the future of the Astros taking a dramatic turn...AS EARLY AS TOMORROW.

Jim Crane, erroneously listed as "Jim Crain" by Rosenthal/Morosi (seriously? There's only 29 other owners - get the guy's name right), is expected - by sources - to fire Ed Wade, with Tal Smith to retire.

Crain and new team president George Postolos plan one-on-one meetings with all of the team’s top executives starting Monday, sources say.

More to come, of course.

UPDATE: Fox Sports fixed the spelling of Crane's name. Well done, Twitter.

Red Sox have asked about Wandy

Hey, here's a report from the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo:

The Astros are getting more and more inquiries about his availability. The Red Sox are one of the teams that have asked.

Wouldn't it be interesting to face Wandy and the Red Sox in 2013? Meanwhile, Cafardo has another note on our old pal Brad Mills:

Mills, GM Ed Wade, and many scouts and organizational people in Houston are awaiting their fate now that Jim Crane has taken over as owner. It was thought that there would be no changes organizationally until next season, but most staffers are on pins and needles.

I think we can all safely say that "pins and needles" is a fine place to be right about now...

12 minutes into the new regime and there's a short list of GM candidates

Richard Justice's breathtakingly fast article on the new ownership of Jim Crane already (and, fairly, it should be added) questions the longevity of Ed Wade:

General manager Ed Wade appears most vulnerable, but Crane and Postolos have steadfastly refused to comment on his status until after they actually took over the club.Among those believed to be under consideration if a change is made is Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman, a Houston native. Former Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker and Texas Rangers executive A.J. Preller also appear to be under consideration.

Ooooh, what does this mean for Brandon Lyon?

Ken Rosenthal (and/or Jon Paul Morosi) talked to Ed Wade, who probably has mixed emotions about the sale of the Astros. Anyhow, they suggest the Astros won't be big players in free agency (no shock), thinking that maybe the Astros will get a shortstop, and some low-cost relief pitching. But how about that closer situation? It's not Brandon Lyon - it's Mark Melancon.

Wade:
“The plan is for us to recognize that we’re rebuilding, to fill our needs with as many young players as we can.”

Wade also goes on to mention that the corner outfield spots will be manned by combinations of Martinez, Shuck, Bourgeois, and Bogusevic.

Wade:
“We’re pretty much the land of opportunity right now.”

How the Michael Bourn deal went down

There is simply too much to pull from, so stop what you're doing and read this oral history of the Bourn trade.

Interestingly enough, however:
At 7 p.m., Wade’s phone rings as he’s about to head home. It’s the general manager of another team inquiring for the first time about Bourn.

Astros: Wade – Our briefcases are packed up now, all we have to do is just say novenas for the rest of the night hoping Michael doesn’t get hurt. And I’m just about 10 paces from the elevator to push the button to go down to the parking garage. I said, “Out of respect, I don’t want to waste your time. I think we’re pretty far down the road on something.” And the response is, “Even if I’m willing to give you better players?” And I said, “Just take me at my word. We’ve known each other for a long time, stay out of it.”

Astros coaching staff to remain intact

Everyone gets another year to prove they deserve a job! Including Astros County! The Astros announced today that Doug Brocail will remain pitching coach in 2012, and Mike Barnett (whom I called "Gary" for a good two months without realizing what an idiot I was) will remain hitting coach.

So you may be wondering, is Ed Wade still calling the shots? It would certainly look that way, and it's something he has every right to do. While Wade's job may be in jeopardy under the Crane administration, it may be another five weeks before Crane gets approved - if he gets approved at all. Wade has an obligation to continue running the team as though he was in charge. Because, for now, he is.

Davey Lopes is not impressed with Ed Wade's work

USA Today's Bob Nightengale has a story on Hunter Pence (who, along with Berkman, will likely be the sole source of posts at Astros County for the time being). Dodgers First Base Coach Davey Lopes, who spent the last four years with the Phillies, wasn't impressed with the Astros side of the trade:

"That's why Ruben Amaro is the executive of the year," said Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Davey Lopes, who spent the previous four years in Philadelphia. "You get Cliff Lee to come there and take less money. And then you steal Pence? That wasn't a trade. That was a steal. You kidding me?"

Amaro told Nightengale that he told Wade of his interest in Pence as early as May:
"It was a lot more perfect fit that we thought. The fans are really into him. And he fit right into this clubhouse."

The Astros don't unleash the beast

Remember when Wesley Wright left Wrigley on a stretcher because of dehydration, and we assumed that perhaps it could have been because it was 351 degrees and Cooper let him throw 51 pitches?

Apparently, it's because Wright drank "several cans of Red Bull" before coming out of the bullpen. And the Astros can't have that. So they have kinda sorta banned energy drinks.

Ed Wade:
"We've had a couple of issues regarding dehydration, and our people think they can be traced to misuse, overuse of energy drinks. It just seemed that we shouldn't be creating an environment where we're almost facilitating the effects of dehydration."

It can't be that Wright was a 24-year old kid, and 24-year olds are looking for something, anything to drink too much of. Like Red Bull. Or Yuengling. So the Astros and Diamondbacks don't provide energy drinks anymore. What's next? Carlos Lee forces the Astros to ban Corn Nuts?