Report: Astros GM Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter are ‘at odds’
By Dan Zinski
The Houston Astros are experiencing a bit of family dysfunction according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and Just a Bit Outside.
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Rosenthal says that GM Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter are “at odds,” and it appears their relationship is reaching a boiling point.
Multiple sources have told Rosenthal about the tension mounting between Luhnow and Porter, the latter of whom reportedly took his grievances to Astros owner Jim Crane earlier this month.
Nobody involved in the reported dysfunction had very much to say about the matter:
"Luhnow and Crane declined comment. Porter also declined comment, saying, “My focus is on managing and finishing the season strong.”"
Rosenthal says that the issues mostly stem from old-school Porter not having enough say in the operation and numbers-freak Luhnow’s excessive picking apart of Porter’s in-game decisions.
Sources say Luhnow barely communicates with the team’s on-field staff and mostly only speaks to numbers-cruncher Sig Mejdal.
Things came to a boiling point between the two men when Luhnow reportedly promoted 2013 first round draft pick Mark Appel without consulting Porter, a situation that led to accusations from some Astros players that Appel was receiving preferential treatment.
It was up to skipper Porter to defuse the situation in the clubhouse. He said about the matter:
"“I will handle those conversations internally,” Porter said at the time. “Any time something affects your clubhouse, I think as the manager you have to handle it.”"
The Astros currently sit at 57-78, 24 games out of first place in the American League West.