Luhnow’s new title is more in line with other leaders of baseball operations departments around the industryGETTY IMAGES
The Astros have extended GM Jeff Luhnow's contract through '23 and "promoted him to President of Baseball Operations," according to Chandler Rome of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Astros Owner & Chair Jim Crane "hired Luhnow away from" the Cardinals in December '11 to replace former GM Ed Wade. In Luhnow's first six seasons, he has "orchestrated a complete overhaul of the franchise," leading the Astros to their "first World Series championship in franchise history" (CHRON.com, 6/18). THE ATHLETIC's Jake Kaplan reported Luhnow's extension "came with an undisclosed raise in salary" along with the new title. Talks between Luhnow and Crane "began after the World Series but it took months to come together." While Luhnow’s actual job does not change, his new title is "more in line with some other leaders of baseball operations departments around the industry." Securing manager A.J. Hinch to a long-term deal "could be next on the docket" for the team. Hinch's contract "runs through this season with a club option" for '19. It is "unclear if the team will address his deal during the season or wait until after the season, but it's evident a renegotiation will be in order" (THEATHLETIC.com, 6/18). MLB Network's Joel Sherman said Luhnow deserves credit just for the "discipline to stick with the plan, even though it was unpopular at the time." Sherman: "A lot of his thoughts have become more mainstream in the last five or six years” (“MLB Now,” MLB Network, 6/18).
