Houston Astros Part Ways With GM Dana Brown Amid Season Struggles

The Houston Astros and general manager Dana Brown have mutually agreed to part ways with 31 games remaining in the 2026 MLB regular season, the team announced on Monday.

Owner Jim Crane will oversee baseball operations during the transition period, with assistant general managers Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey, Connor Huff, and senior advisor Jeff Bagwell taking on Brown's responsibilities, according to the team's statement.

During Brown's four-season tenure, the Astros won two division titles but missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 in 2025. The team currently holds a 65-66 record and is tied atop the American League West, despite being one game below .500, as reported by Houston Chronicle and CBS Sports.

"Over the past four seasons, Dana has helped our organization win two division titles and has led our baseball front office through key scouting, draft and development efforts," Crane said. "On behalf of the Astros, I want to thank him for his commitment, energy, and contributions to our organization. We wish he and his family the best."

Brown expressed gratitude for his time in Houston and reflected on his career.

"I want to thank Jim Crane for the opportunity to serve in my first role as an MLB general manager. 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 said.

Brown took over as Astros GM in January 2023, following the departure of James Click, who declined a contract extension after helping the team win the 2022 World Series. Prior to Brown’s hiring, Crane and Bagwell handled baseball operations but faced criticism for costly signings such as first baseman Jose Abreu and reliever Rafael Montero, contracts Brown later worked to offload.

Brown's tenure featured notable contract extensions for pitcher Cristian Javier and franchise icon Jose Altuve, but extensions for other core players like Jeremy Peña, Kyle Tucker, Hunter Brown, Alex Bregman, and Framber Valdez did not materialize. The Astros traded Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs in 2025, a move that marked Brown's leadership period.

Despite offensive highlights, including an MVP-caliber season from Yordan Alvarez, the Astros' pitching staff struggled, ranking near the bottom of the league in ERA. Brown’s offseason acquisitions, including a $54 million deal for Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, failed to stabilize the rotation.

Brown acknowledged the challenge of balancing present competitiveness with future prospects, especially given his one-year contract status. "I think it’s quite ethical to balance the present and the future. It’s my job. It’s not all about the present," he said.

Crane has overseen the Astros since 2011, during which the team became a consistent postseason contender, winning seven division titles and two World Series. Brown's departure leaves the Astros searching for a new general manager as they approach the final month of the season with playoff aspirations still alive, according to The New York Times.