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New York Times

Astros deadline takeaways: Jim Crane cements his title as baseball's most aggressive owner

HOUSTON — Jim Crane crashed a trade deadline the Seattle Mariners threatened to steal and solidified himself as one of Major League Baseball's most aggressive operators. General managers or presidents of baseball operations are often hailed as deadline darlings, but the Houston Astros' 71-year-old owner is operating in a league of his own. Advertisement Few other explanations exist for the Astros' actions across the past nine trade deadlines, overseen by three different general managers who share almost nothing in common. The one thing they do: a boss obsessed with blockbusters and building a baseball team full of players he prefers. Crane has his critics, some still displeased with his answers during a sign-stealing news conference five years ago, others confused by his cold treatment of James Click following the 2022 World Series and a faction of Houston's fanbase that wonders why he's so averse to long-term deals for departing superstars. All, however, must acknowledge what a transformative Thursday afternoon laid bare: Crane's commitment to win is never in question. He reacquired one of those homegrown superstars he once allowed to walk and, with it, may have escalated Houston's payroll to a point it has never reached. Carlos Correa joined Crane's trade deadline lore on Thursday. His company includes Justin Verlander in both 2017 and 2023, Zack Greinke in 2019 and would've included Bryce Harper if not for Washington Nationals ownership nixing an agreed-upon deal during the 2018 deadline. Crane's influence in all of these deals can't be overstated. Team sources who initially downplayed the possibility of a reunion with Correa did so with an inherent understanding that Crane coveted Correa, the effervescent infielder who left an indelible impact in Houston during the first seven years of his major-league career. In almost every case, Crane gets what he desires. Thursday turned out no different. Other players perhaps made more logical sense for their roster. Others would've kept Crane below a luxury tax threshold he doesn't love crossing. But, when the Astros are legitimate contenders for a championship, Crane can change his stance. He awoke on Thursday morning with a team that had 5.6 percent odds to win the World Series, according to FanGraphs. Adding Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez surged Seattle's odds past Houston's, even though the Astros have a five-game division lead. Advertisement Crane crafted the sort of response only he can. Failing to land a pitcher General manager Dana Brown stuck to his pre-deadline insistence that the team was 'prioritizing the bats.' Outfielder Jesús Sánchez brings balance to a lineup that needs it and an .814 OPS against right-handed pitching. Only the A's have taken more plate appearances against righties than the Astros. Correa is not the hitter he was while he was in Houston, but still has a low strikeout rate and will raise the floor of a lineup that, in the face of substantial injuries, had grown top-heavy. Still, Houston ended the deadline without addressing a pitching staff running on fumes. The Astros had serious discussions with the San Diego Padres about starter Dylan Cease and, at times, had momentum toward a deal. The Padres never traded Cease, nor did the Miami Marlins move Sandy Alcantara, in whom the Astros also had serious interest. Houston scoured the relief market in the deadline's final minutes, but did not have near enough high-end prospect capital to meet the crazy asking prices in the relief market. All-Star right-hander Hunter Brown and workhorse Framber Valdez will still head the Astros' rotation. Set up, man, Bryan Abreu builds a nice bridge to All-Star closer Josh Hader, but concerns about depth must be present. The impending returns of Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia and J.P. France can offset it, but their efficacy after such long layoffs is a mystery. What happens after 2025? Correa is a perfect fit for Houston's current roster. He will play third base in the absence of Isaac Paredes, who is receiving a second opinion on his 'significant' right hamstring strain and isn't likely to play again this season. Paredes will return next season. Both he and shortstop Jeremy Peña are under club control for two more years. So is first baseman Christian Walker, eliminating any possibility of playing Paredes there. Advertisement Evaluators both inside and outside of the Astros' organization do not believe Paredes can handle second base on an everyday basis. Perhaps a winter's worth of work there could remedy that, but given the significant nature of his hamstring injury, it's worth wondering how normal of an offseason Paredes will have. Making Paredes serviceable at second base is the most straightforward way to make Correa fit on the Astros' 2026 and 2027 rosters, but another option must be considered: making Peña available in trade talks. Peña will be due for a substantial raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility. He hired agent Scott Boras to represent him earlier this season after deep extension talks with the Astros with his previous representation. Boras generally prefers his clients to eschew pre-arbitration extensions in favor of free agency. Trading Kyle Tucker this winter strayed from the Astros' standard operating procedure, but did set the precedent that the Astros will at least explore deals for players they aren't likely to extend in order to supplement a barren farm system. Might Peña be the next domino? (Top photo of Houston Astros owner Jim Crane: Tim Warner/ Getty Images)