The Houston Astros are shaking things up in a big way, and it’s not just about the players on the field. Their offense took a nosedive this season, and the front office is pulling out all the stops to fix it. On Wednesday, the team announced two major additions to their coaching staff for 2026: Anthony Iapoce as assistant hitting coach and Dan Hennigan as director of hitting and offensive coordinator. These hires come just a week after Victor Rodriguez was named the new hitting coach, marking a complete overhaul of the team’s offensive strategy. But here’s where it gets interesting: Hennigan, a swing biomechanics expert, won’t be in uniform but will play a crucial role in creating game plans and bridging the gap between the coaching staff and young hitters. This move signals a shift toward more structured and defined roles within the coaching staff, a departure from the past when responsibilities were less clear-cut. Astros general manager Dana Brown, speaking at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas, emphasized the importance of having a clear leader in Rodriguez, a seasoned veteran with a proven track record of working with top Major League hitters. And this is the part most people miss: Brown hinted at a controversial approach, suggesting that the team’s previous lack of a defined No. 1 hitting coach may have contributed to their offensive struggles. With Iapoce bringing energy and experience from his stints with the Cubs, Rangers, and Red Sox, and Hennigan providing analytical insights, the Astros are betting on a blend of traditional coaching and data-driven strategies. But will this bold experiment pay off? The team’s 2025 performance tells a sobering story: despite leading the AL in batting average in 2024, they plummeted to 21st in runs scored, 26th in walks, and 28th in pitches seen per plate appearance this season. Brown points to impatience at the plate as a key issue, with players swinging at pitches on the edges of the strike zone instead of waiting for their pitch. The new coaching staff’s mission is clear: instill discipline and patience, and get hitters back to focusing on pitches in the heart of the zone. Here’s the controversial question: Is the Astros’ offensive slump a result of coaching missteps, player execution, or a combination of both? And can this revamped coaching staff truly turn things around? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—the Astros are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to reclaim their offensive dominance. What’s your take? Do you think this new approach will work, or is there a deeper issue at play? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!