Dana

Brown

This feels a bit unprecedented since the Astros are currently tied for first place in the AL West. They certainly haven’t played up to their standards, but they still stand a good chance of making the playoffs. Brown had been the Astros general manager since 2023, but his contract was set to expire at the end of this season, so it seems that the team had already decided to go in another direction and wanted to start on that path now. According to McTaggart, Brown’s responsibilities will be transitioned to assistant GMs Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey and Connor Huff, as well as to senior advisor Jeff Bagwell. Astros owner Jim Crane will oversee baseball operations through the transition period.

It’s a 15-year agreement with Daikin Industries, which is known for producing air conditioners. Originally Enron Field, Houston’s ballpark had been known as Minute Maid Park or, better, The Juice Box, for the last 22 years.

Brown added that the search to replace Baker, who retired last week after four seasons at the helm in Houston, will be thorough. However, he declined to offer a specific timetable to fill the position. The Astros are expected to interview bench coach Joe Espada, who has been a finalist for other managerial vacancies the last few years. There have been rumblings that the club has expressed interest in Brewers manager Craig Counsell, whose contract is set to expire this week, but it’s unclear whether he’ll interview for the vacancy at this juncture. There should be a list of potential candidates at some point in the coming weeks.