The way it sounds from reading the internets, the Rays granting the Astros permission to speak with Andrew Friedman about a front office position is something of a professional courtesy. Friedman also offered the same courtesy to the Cubs and the Astros' new rival, the hated Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (you have to start somewhere, right?), and talks went virtually nowhere.
Jon Heyman, for what it's worth, says the Astros' plan all along was to let Friedman turn them down like a cheerleader, and then conduct their search.
So, should you be excited? Absolutely. This shows that the New Regime is invested in finding the best people. It's just probably best to leave it at that.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
