Manager AJ Hinch and the Houston Astros have agreed to terms of a contract extension that will make Hinch manager until 2022. Originally the contract signed by Astros General Manager Jeff Lunhow was through 2023 but Hinch and the Astros agreed to a revised extension through 2022.
So, Hinch’s contract now runs through the 2022 season. The extension Luhnow signed in June runs through 2023.
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) August 30, 2018
Currently throughout 2018, Hinch has managed the Astros to a 82-51 season in first place in the American League West division. The Astros currently hold a two and a half game lead over the second place Oakland Athletics. Hinch took over the Astros in 2015 and has since built quite the reputation in the past years reaching the postseason in both 2015 and 2017 when the Astros won the World Series. Hinch has carried a phenomenal 353-266 overall record with the Astros also holding the most postseason wins among any Astros manager with 14.
However Hinch and the Astros have caught some attention because of their statements regarding a “no-tolerance” domestic violence policy and the acquisition of reliever Roberto Osuna. This move is questionable after the Astros designated Ken Giles for assignment after his personal incidents with Hinch and his own composure. The trade itself violates the Astros policy since Osuna was suspended for 75 games after his own domestic violence issue earlier this year.
Hinch must look past any of the criticisms and manage his team to hopefully reach the postseason and repeat as World Series Champions. The Astros look to return to the postseason being in first and having held that position for most of this year assuming they can hold off the close-behind Athletics.