Milwaukee Brewers: How Much Are the Astros Missing David Stearns?

Are early signs showing the Milwaukee Brewers took a lot away from the Houston Astros signing on David Stearns as their new GM?

It’s tough to judge just how much a team misses any player, coach, or front office member, but the Houston Astros have easily been one of the biggest surprises with their slow start nearly a month and a half into the season. At 14-21, just above the LA Angels, the Astros have some work to do if they want to live up to the PECOTA Projections and win the division.

Part of that reason is of course, David Stearns himself taking away some of the Astros players through free agency or trades. Signing 1B Chris Carter, who has been a hot start and getting 2B Jonathan Villar through a trade has made them put some pieces back together. Losing players like LHP Scott Kazmir, IF Jed Lowrie, etc. hurts too as Sport Illustrated gave them a C+ off-season grade.

Although, with the main stars like 2B Jose Altuve, SS Carlos Correa, OF George Springer, and SP Dallas Keuchel, one hot month could easily get the Astros to turn it around and make any doubters look silly. With the PECOTA Projections having the Astros winning the division at 88-74, they’re 7.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners to get back in that top position.

Unfortunately, there’s no sort of stat such as WAR to put on GMs or assistant GMs like David Stearns was with the Astros over the past couple of seasons. But, it’s hopeful to think Stearns had some influence to the their GM Jeff Lunhow to make a big difference.

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In early January of 2015 it was easy to doubt the team was going to turn it around in any way as relievers were added, but no other big players with heavy influence. But, in late January players like DH Evan Gattis, OF Colby Rasmus, INF Luis Valbuena made many say they’d be a team to watch.

While a name like 1B Chris Carter wasn’t a small off-season move for David Stearns and the Milwaukee Brewers, fans have seen all sorts of new names on the roster like SS Jonathan Villar, OF Keon Broxton (now in AAA), OF Ramon Flores, OF Alex Presley, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and SP Junior Guerra among others play some sort of role.

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Although, during these rebuilding years, they might just be fill-ins, the small moves might make all the difference. So, in the future I more than expect to see David Stearns make these types of moves that’ll pay off huge dividends in the future.

So, while I’m willing to bet the Astros will get back to the top of the division when it really matters, I hope at least the Milwaukee Brewers put all their faith into David Stearns and don’t start to put doubts into his off-season moves, much like some did with the 2015 Astros.