Why the Astros felt they had to make a front-office shakeup now with Dana Brown

Why the Astros felt they had to create a front-office shakeup now with Dana Brown.

Key points

• They will look for a full-time GM in the offseason, probable trying to hire someone from the Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays or Cleveland Guardians.
• Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Kevin Ginkel is ready to reset at home after Ketel Marte drama in Boston.
• The Astros are 65-66 and tied for first place in the AL West.
• Not a downtown parade celebrating their third World Series title in 10 years.
• "I want to thank Jim Crane for the opportunity to serve in my first role as an MLB General Manager, " Brown remarked in an official note.

Why the Astros felt they had to create a front-office shakeup now with Dana Brown. Bob Nightengale USA TODAY. Kevin Ginkel updates media on Ketel Marte situation with Diamondbacks.

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown knew this day was coming, and there was nothing that was going to save it. Not a postseason berth. Not a deep October run.

So after a horrific homestand, losing six of their last eight games to three of the worst teams in the American League – the Athletics, Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners – Astros owner Jim Crane pulled the plug Monday.

Although it was confirmed as a mutual parting of the ways, brown was fired. He was informed of the decision Sunday night, they agreed to call it a mutual parting Monday morning, and he was already packing his bags and taking off for his home in New Jersey.

It was the Astros' 7-6 defeat Sunday to the lowly Athletics, blowing a 6-0 lead, that sent Crane over the top, believing that if they had any chance of reaching the playoffs, drastic changes needed to be created.

According to While one high-ranking Astros official, joe Espada will not receive a new contract after the season, Espada's status is unchanged and he will remain as manager, and a decision by Crane will be produced after the season. The Astros are 65-66 and tied for first place in the AL West.

Crane, who will have a news conference Tuesday, Aug. 25 in New York to discuss his reasoning for the Brown firing and what's next, simply had seen enough to believe the Astros weren't going to create the playoffs if he didn't do something rash. He will oversee the operations with the assistance of Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell. This person has tremendous influence in the organization as a senior adviser, along with assistant GMs Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey and Connor Huff.

It's feasible that they could turn to Bagwell, if he indicates solid interest in the job, with Cook anticipated to obtain a robust look as someone who's highly regarded by the organization.

Those will be decisions in the offseason. But for now, Crane badly wants to be a playoff team again after the Astros missed the postseason last year for the first time in nine years.

In a season where no AL West team at present owns a winning record, Brown became the third general manager in the division to lose his job, joining the Athletics' David Forst and Angels GM Perry Minasian.

"I've never seen anything like it, " one AL executive remarked. "Three GMs fired in one division. Unreal."

Brown, who led the Astros to two division titles in his nearly-four-year tenure, could easily return to Atlanta where he was the Braves' special assistant and scouting guru. GM Alex Anthopoulos could even bring the band back together and hire Minasian, too. This person was his assistant GM before going to the Angels.

Brown surely will obtain another job in baseball, just like James Click. This person was fired as the Astros GM after winning the 2022 World Series and is now a special assistant in Toronto.

"I want to thank Jim Crane for the opportunity to serve in my first role as an MLB General Manager, " Brown remarked in an official note. "The Astros organization and the fans have welcomed me and my family, and I am grateful to have called Houston home for the past four seasons. I wish the organization well and I look forward to the future as I continue my 36-plus years in professional baseball."

Brown's future starts now, and so does the Astros' urgency to now save their season. This story has been updated to include new information. Follow Bob Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, why the Astros felt they had to make a front-office shakeup now remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.