Astros Fire Dana Brown, Jim Crane Assumes Interim Baseball Operations Role

The Houston Astros mutually agreed to part ways with general manager Dana Brown on August 24, 2026, according to Front Office Sports. Owner Jim Crane appointed himself interim lead for baseball operations, a move that marks the second general manager turnover under his ownership in four years.

Brown's responsibilities are being divided among assistant GMs Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey, and Connor Huff, as well as senior advisor and Baseball Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, per Front Office Sports.

The separation occurs while the Astros sit one game under .500 and tied with the Rangers for the AL West lead, according to Front Office Sports and CBS Sports. The club has Yordan Álvarez, described by Front Office Sports as a potential Triple Crown winner and near-lock for the AL Most Valuable Player award, alongside experienced stars José Altuve and Jeremy Peña. The Astros carry a top-10 luxury-tax payroll, per Front Office Sports.

Brown posted playoff berths in 2023 and 2024 and his contract was set to expire at the end of the 2026 season, per Front Office Sports. Crane performed a similar interim role in late 2022 and early 2023 following the firing of James Click, who had stabilized the front office after the organization's sign-stealing scandal involving former GM Jeff Luhnow. During that transition, expensive free-agent signings of José Abreu and Rafael Montero were made, according to Front Office Sports.

Crane fired Click days after the 2022 World Series title amid contract negotiation issues and wider philosophical differences, per Front Office Sports. The Astros' current structure now resembles the Dallas Cowboys arrangement, where owner Jerry Jones also serves as general manager, according to Front Office Sports.

The separation leaves open the question of whether Crane will seek a permanent general manager or maintain hands-on operational control during the remainder of the season and offseason.