Although the Houston Astros won the World Series in 2022, the club’s general manager, James Click, did not sign a new contract to remain at the helm of the organization. Some have said that things aren’t going very well between Click and Jim Crane, the team’s owner, and the latter wants some new blood.
And today, the Astros finally revealed the identity of Click’s successor, as they announced that Dana Brown will be the Texas team’s new general manager.
Who is Dana Brown? We’re talking about a guy who has a good track record in the industry, he who spent several years in the organization of the Expos / Nationals in the 2000s. Then, in 2010, he spent nine seasons with the Blue Jays , helping the club to have good years.
Since 2019, however, Brown has been an important face in the scouting department of the Atlanta Braves, the team of Alex Anthopoulos. He is notably at the base of the selections of Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider and Vaughn Grissom, three young players who are part of the future core of the team.
Clearly, therefore, we are talking about a guy who learned his trade in the industry and who helped build good teams. He mostly seems to have expertise in scouting, and with a guy like Jim Crane who likes to negotiate with free agents, he’s a good complement.
That said, although Brown had been the favorite for some time, he was not alone in the race. In fact, the other finalist was none other than Brad Ausmus, the former manager of the Los Angeles Angels.
I confess that this one, I had not seen it coming.
Brown also becomes the second black executive in MLB today, the other being Ken Williams with the Chicago White Sox.
In short, a great hiring in Houston, while Brown comes to the helm of a club already in good shape. And if he’s ever able to draft well and bring in some good free agents, the Astros could be in the car for years to come.
