Astros GM Jeff Luhnow predicts winning season in 2015

When the calendar flips to January and a brand new year begins, the optimism around Major League Baseball goes to an entirely new level. For example, we’ve already heard from Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who went on record this week saying the Cubs will win the NL Central in 2015. 

Now Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow is jumping on the optimism train as it rolls by at 100 mph. During an appearance on MLB Network’s “High Heat” on Friday, the architect of Houston’s rebuilding efforts went on record predicting his ballclub will finish with a winning record for the first time since 2008.

“The Astros, in my opinion, are going to have a winning record this year,” Luhnow said. “I’ll go on record as saying that. I believe this is a winning team, and I think this is the beginning of many years of winning teams.”

Luhnow is not aiming as high as Rizzo in the short term, but predicting a winning record for the Astros is just as bold considering the depths the franchise fell to four years ago. Since being named general manager on Dec. 7, 2011, Luhnow has stripped the team all the way down to its foundation, which resulted in one of the ugliest win-loss stretches in MLB history. From 2011-2013, the Astros averaged 108 losses, but some light finally appeared in the tunnel last season, as Houston improved to 70-92.

Entering the 2015 season, Houston’s foundation seems solid again, as Luhnow has helped build one of the premiere farm systems in the entire league. He’s also beginning to add pieces that should help immediately, such as veteran relievers Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek, infielder Jed Lowrie, and the recently acquired Evan Gattis, who should provide some needed pop in the lineup.

With all of those pieces now in place and improvements anticipated from their young core, another step forward is likely. However, there’s one other big hurdle that stands in their way, and that’s the competition within their own division. With the Los Angeles Angels, Oakland A’s and Seattle Mariners all figuring to contend again, and the Texas Rangers looking for a bounce back season with improved health, notching division wins will be a difficult task.

Houston was 33-43 in the division in 2014, so it’s not as if they were a total pushover. If they can somehow even that record up in 2015, the path to 82 wins becomes more realistic, but at this point it’s difficult to see that happening. Something like 76-78 wins seems more likely in 2015, but there’s no doubt at all the arrow is pointing in the right direction. 

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813