Multiple things can be true about the reported rift between James Click and Jim Crane. First, that it’s an ill-timed distraction ahead of what’s expected to be another deep playoff run, and second, that it’s of the club’s own doing.
Despite a World Series berth in 2021 — which came the year after an ALCS appearance in 2020 — Click did not receive a contract extension heading into the 2022 campaign, which is slated to be his last under his current deal. Not much was made of it as the season began, as there was little reason to think he wouldn’t be re-upped for 2023 and beyond, but now with the calendar flipping to October, it’s awfully peculiar that amid another successful season that has the Astros atop the American League standings, Click still has yet to be extended.