James

Click

Like several others, Click, the former Astros GM currently working for the Blue Jays, cited family considerations as his reason for opting out. Clearly, though, there are aspects of the Red Sox job that just don’t appeal to some of the game’s most highly respected young executives.

Click, who served as the Astros’ general manager for three seasons until the two sides agreed to part ways following last year’s World Series title run, is currently employed as the division-rival Blue Jays’ vice president for baseball strategy.

Harris -- along with Braves’ executive Dana Brown and former Giants’ general manager Bobby Evans -- is considered a finalist for the position. Jon Morosi of MLB Network adds that Brad Ausmus remains in the mix for the position as well. While the Astros sort things out, Bill Firkus will continue to run the front office on an interim basis.

Hill had been one of three known candidates to fill that role, but he’s apparently happy working in an executive role at Major League Baseball and isn’t looking to move at this time. Bill Firkus -- who spent the 2022 season as the Astros’ senior directory of baseball strategy -- is currently leading the front office on an interim basis.

Astros owner James Click has yet to name a successor after firing general manager James Click, who helped guide the club to a World Series title last year, more than two months ago. Rosenthal adds that former Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill, Braves vice president of scouting Dana Brown and former Giants general manager Bobby Evans have interviewed with the club for the vacancy. With spring training right around the corner, it’s a bit surprising that Houston hasn’t identified a successor to lead their baseball operations department, but it hasn’t stopped them from being active this offseason.

It’s still unclear what exactly the Astros are going to do with their front office after parting ways with general manager James Click and assistant general manager Scott Powers on Friday -- but it looks like Firkus will try to keep the train on the tracks in the interim. Despite the uncertainty in leadership, the Astros were still able to lock up setup man Rafael Montero to a three-year, $34.5 million contract over the weekend.

Astros owner Jim Crane has continued to usher out the high-ranking executives in his organization. Just a few hours after the World Series champions parted ways with general manager James Click, after the two sides failed to negotiate a new contract, Houston has also decided to jettison his top assistant. Powers was hired from the Dodgers back in January. It’s been a shocking few days in Houston since the Fall Classic wrapped up.

This decision doesn’t come as a total shock, but it’s a bit surprising that the two sides weren’t able to agree on a long-term contract extension after Click helped guide the Astros to a World Series title. Winning doesn’t fix everything, apparently. Jeff Passan of ESPN adds that Click rejected Houston’s one-year contract offer to return for the 2023 season. He departs after three seasons as the Astros’ primary baseball decision-maker and should have plenty of opportunities this offseason.

No surprise here after Baker guided the Astros to a World Series title earlier this month. Nightengale notes that general manager James Click is also expected to return next season as Houston looks to defend their title. There was some uncertainty surrounding both Click and Baker heading into the offseason, but the expectation was always that Crane would elect to bring them both back for at least one additional year. There should be an official update from the team at some point in the near future.

Manager Dusty Baker is in the final year of his deal, too, saying Monday that “I’d like to come back.” The Astros have the best record in the American League and are one of the favorites to win the World Series, so from that perspective it seems odd that they would consider any major changes. There are always more layers to these things than it seems, though.