James Click deserved better from the Houston Astros

James Click helped save the Houston Astros after the sign-stealing scandal. As his contract expired the team didn’t seem that committed to keeping him.

James Click deserved better.

At the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, just hours after a parade celebrating the Houston Astros’ World Series championship, Click was answering questions about his job status. His contract expired on Oct. 31 and Click, 41, was reportedly offered a one-year contract to return with a pay increase — a proposal that is no more than a slap in the face.

On Friday, the Astros parted ways with Click — and executives throughout baseball were appalled.

“Everyone behind every scene right now in baseball is seething,” one executive said. “Hate to see someone who steps up in that situation so big get treated that way.”

“Dude, what the hell?” said a second executive.

“Holy shit. I didn’t think they’d actually do it,” said a third executive.

James Click was there for the Houston Astros when they needed him

In 2020, Click stepped into one of the toughest situations in recent baseball history. The Astros were coming off the sign-stealing scandal and had just fired manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow. He stabilized the organization and compiled the most regular season victories in the American League the last three years despite Carlos Correa, George Springer and Gerrit Cole all leaving in free agency.

But Click and Astros owner Jim Crane had a strained relationship. Click came up in Tampa Bay and preferred to have an expanded scouting department while Crane, under Luhnow, had become accustomed to smaller front offices. As ESPN reported, Crane nixed a deal at the trade deadline that would have sent pitcher Jose Urquidy to the Chicago Cubs for All-Star catcher Willson Contreras. The two also had stylistic clashes — Click is more calculated; Crane is more aggressive — and when asked about his relationship with Crane, Click said: “We’re different.”

“There are some things that we do very differently,” Click said. “There are some things that we’re lined up on. That’s going to be true of any relationship between a boss and an employee. … He is very demanding, but he also gives you the resources to accomplish what he tasks you to do.”

Crane will find another executive to lead the Astros, but doing so could have complications. Pete Putila, long a top internal candidate, was recently hired as the San Francisco Giants’ general manager. Oz Ocampo, who played a key role in building Houston’s dynasty, was hired as the Miami Marlins’ assistant general manager. Mike Elias, previously with the Astros, is the Baltimore Orioles’ general manager.

Then there’s David Stearns, who was previously the Astros’ assistant general manager. Stearns, 37, recently stepped down as Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations. But he’s under contract for one more season and when asked if he would grant Stearns permission to interview elsewhere, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said: “The arrangement does not anticipate that.”

Besides, the Astros’ treatment and stunning firing of Click just days after winning a World Series could scare off top candidates.

Regardless, Click will be fine. He spent 15 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and has former co-workers running the Rays, Dodgers, Brewers and Red Sox and has relationships throughout the sport. He graduated from Yale and in the words of an American League executive who knows Click, “is so damn elite.” He will have no shortage of options.

The uncertainty surrounding his future surely wore on Click, but he handled the situation with class. The same cannot be said for the Astros, who now are looking for their third general manager in four years. But through it all, Click had not lost his sense of humor.

When I asked how he was doing on Tuesday afternoon, Click looked down at his hand, laughed and said, “I’m a Size 9 ring, so I’m doing all right.”