Click seeks quick success with Astros after replacing Luhnow

HOUSTON (AP) — James Click was introduced as the new general manager of the Houston Astros on Tuesday, joining a scandal-plagued team that scrambled to fill two major roles just before the start of spring training.

Click took over for Jeff Luhnow, suspended for a season by Major League Baseball and then fired for his role in Houston's sign-stealing scandal. The Astros last week hired 70-year-old Dusty Baker to take over for AJ Hinch as manager.

The 42-year-old Click spent the last three seasons as the Tampa Bay Rays' vice president of baseball operations. Click had been with Tampa Bay for the last 14 seasons.

Astros owner Jim Crane lauded the combined experience of Click and Baker, who have joined a team that lost a seven-game World Series to Washington.

“They've both been in baseball a long time and have unbelievable experience," Crane said. “We're confident that under their leadership we will win another championship or championships."

Click seemed undaunted at the challenge of taking over a team portrayed as an outlaw. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred concluded the Astros used electronics to illicitly steal signs during their run to the 2017 World Series championship and again in the 2018 season.

“My goal is to help us win this year, nothing less," Click said. “I'm confident that with the talent we have in the front office and the talent we have on the field that we will be competitive for years to come."

Click is a Yale graduate and wrote for analytics website Baseball Prospectus for several years before being hired by the Rays.

Click was involved in guiding and overseeing all aspects of the baseball operations department. His areas of focus were research and development, strategic planning and innovation.

Crane was asked if he was concerned about hiring...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Click-seeks-quick-success-with-Astros-after-15029453.php