Contention windows and cycles are one of the most controversial things in baseball, specifically in MLB.
Many small-market teams wait until some of their best prospects burst out at the same time to start investing and improving their chances.
The rest of the time they are trading their stars and refusing to spend a penny.
This is frustrating because every owner in MLB has the funds to sign multiple expensive free agents.
Some of them just choose not to.
The Houston Astros, however, have been highly competitive since 2015 and that will remain the case as long as Jim Crane is the owner.
“Jim Crane says the Astros ‘window’ will never close as long as he’s around,” FOX Sports: MLB tweeted.
Jim Crane says the Astros ‘window’ will never close as long as he’s around 👀
h/t @MarkBerman_ pic.twitter.com/DwvpFq2o2b
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 7, 2024
He said the window will always be open.
A hint for all teams: this is not at all impossible to achieve.
However, things need to be done the right way throughout the organization: scouting, long-term planning, spending on the right free agents, player development, taking calculated risks, developing from within, being smart in the trade market, and extending young stars before they get too expensive are some of the things that will help guarantee a continuous, non-stop flow of quality players in the minor and major leagues.
Those are all things the Astros have mastered throughout the years.
What have they achieved?
Well, they have made seven straight American League Championship Series, winning four.
Of those four World Series they have played in since 2017, they won two.
It’s the closest thing to a dynasty we have had in MLB since the early-2010s San Francisco Giants.
The way Crane has managed his team should serve as a blueprint for other stingy, disinterested owners.
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Jose Altuve Shares Legendary Quote About His MLB Debut
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