Manager A.J. Hinch: Helping 2016 Astros not rely on GPS, rearview mirror will be key
The Houston Astros are all-in.
As trite a phrase as that may be these days, it exemplifies the focus and championship goals of the club heading into 2016.
Last season, the Astros made the playoffs for the first time in a decade and fell just short of advancing to the ALCS.
They have the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner in Dallas Keuchel and a practically untouchable middle infield duo in shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Jose Altuve.
And yet, as manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle this week, his job will be as important as ever as the Astros try to have an even better year in 2016.
Using the metaphor of driving a car, Hinch told Drellich that,
Tasked with managing a roster filled with young players already performing on the biggest stage, Hinch joked that, "A lot of people in this room are going to tell these people how good they are, and I'm sort of paid to tell them how bad they are."
Whether Hinch and his staff are able to keep everyone on the same page, so to speak, will be crucial in determining the Astros' fortunes this season.
Will they firmly establish themselves as a new power in the AL, or fall back to Earth a bit? That's one of the most intriguing storylines in all of baseball.
