The Astros won the World Series for the second year in a row. Don't remind me, that's the editor's note The Astros built almost an entirely new squad over the last three years, after doing a lot of damage in the aftermath of their title. There were only 11 players on the Astros roster that year. The Astros reached the ALCS in all three of James Click's seasons as GM, despite the departure of key players like Carlos Correa and George Springer. That is some great GM work. Click took a team that no one else wanted and built winner after winner while rebuilding the franchise's reputation. He got this title. What will Click do when he defends his title? Nothing. Click left the Astros after they rejected their new contract offer. Click seems to be slighting the 'Stros. He just won a championship with an organization he is comfortable in, so he is stepping away from a pay raise. It seems disrespectful. What does some context do?
Click wasn't making a huge salary as the Astros' GM because he was considered one of the best minds in baseball. Click made $1 million in the year 2020. Dayton Moore, the former Kansas City Royals' GM, was paid 1.5 million dollars in 2020 but only reached the playoffs two times in 14 years. Click's raise wasn't as much as he wanted. Click was so insulted by the offer that he spoke his mind at a league-wide meeting. The split was inevitable because he was upset with the length of the contract.
The Astros signed a relief pitcher to a three-year deal, despite his first season showing prowess in a relief role. He had a career average of 5.18. The Astros are willing to make long-term commitments to people who played important roles in the championship, but not the guy who put them all together.
Click wasn't "fired" per se, but he and Crane had major grievances with one another, and the awful extension offer made it seem as if Click was let go. Given how easy it was for Crane to drop Click, maybe a few potential applicants will back off from the position. The Astros are in a position to compete for another World Series title, so I don't think Crane cares much.
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