Houston Astros Manager Sets Lofty Goal After Signing Superstar Closer
The Houston Astros were a good team in 2023, but ultimately, they weren't good enough. That became painfully obvious during their ALCS loss to the Texas Rangers, who bludgeoned their pitching staff to the tune of 20 runs and 25 hits in Games 6 and 7 combined.
It was clear that the Astros -- who barely beat out the Rangers for the AL West title before falling to them in the playoffs -- would need to improve this offseason, especially on the mound, if they wanted to win a championship in 2024.
Well, signing arguably the best closer in baseball definitely counts as improvement in that regard.
With Josh Hader now onboard, new manager Joe Espada revealed his 2024 goals for the team during Hader's introductory press conference on Monday.
Espada should be excited.
Houston was only one win away from a third-straight World Series trip last year and is positioned for another title run in 2024.
Espada has his sights set on winning it all, and why shouldn't he?
This is a battle-tested team that has won two championships and four pennants in the past seven seasons, reaching the ALCS in all of those campaigns. Adding a superweapon like Hader to a championship-caliber core makes the Astros even more dangerous in October.
They'll have to get there, of course, but that's pretty much a given as long as the team stays relatively healthy. Espada has big shoes to fill replacing Dusty Baker, but his optimism and enthusiasm has to be liked so far.
Signing Hader was a big day.
If Houston wins the World Series -- ideally with Hader recording the final out -- that will be an even bigger day.
