The Houston Astros took the first step toward acknowledging their days of dominating the American League West have passed, dismissing general manager Dana Brown on Monday, Aug. 24. It's not news that the Astros' best days are behind them, or that they have failed to replenish the farm system that fueled their eight consecutive postseason appearances from 2017-24. What's interesting is where they go from here — and who will make that decision.
Owner Jim Crane will oversee the Astros' baseball operations during the transition to the next general manager, with help from assistant general managers Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey and Connor Huff, and senior adviser Jeff Bagwell. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the consortium led by Crane — not the Astros' next permanent GM — will decide on the future of manager Joe Espada. Like Brown, Espada is working on a contract that expires after this season.
More news: Diamondbacks Manager Addresses Ketel Marte Casino Trip, ‘Betrayal’ Houston enters the final 31 games of the regular season at 65-66, tied with the Texas Rangers for first place. But the Astros had just completed a 3-6 homestand against the Mariners, Angels and Athletics, a stretch that dropped them back below .500 and raised fresh questions about the direction of a team that missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2016. Crane has long been an unusually involved owner.
He dismissed general manager James Click after the Astros won the 2022 World Series and assumed control of the team's baseball operations in the offseason that followed. Brown was hired in January 2023. More news: Former Yankees Shortstop, 11-Year MLB Veteran Announces Retirement Even afterward, Crane was not afraid to intervene in player personnel matters.
Brown reportedly had verbal agreement on a trade that involved Astros reliever Bryan Abreu and Minnesota Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach before the Aug. 3 deadline, only for Crane to nix the deal before it became official. Brown oversaw two AL West titles in his first two seasons. Star third baseman Alex Bregman departed in free agency.
Pitcher Framber Valdez followed. Brown's decision to trade Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs yielded two everyday players (Cam Brown and Isaac Paredes), but perhaps not the immediate payoff Crane was hoping for. Is any of that Espada's fault?
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