It has been a rollercoaster season for the Houston Astros. They had a slow start to the season, which left them under .500 through the first 109 games. They were also on the outside of the playoff picture for most of that time. It is not the dominant team we are used to seeing. But thanks to a weak American League and a decent stretch, the Astros were able to climb the standings and sit at the top of the AL West. It looks like they will be in a dogfight to try and get a playoff spot.
But during this fight, everyone’s attention has shifted to the front office as general manager Dana Brown and the team agreed to part ways. Brown’s contract was up at the end of the season, and it appeared as if the Astros were not interested in renewing his deal. Rather than being a lame duck, Brown decided it was time to leave. While the timing is a bit odd, this was the right move for the organization. It signals that they are ready to make changes and start fresh.
It’s Clear the Astros Are Going in a New Direction
As mentioned before, the only reason the Astros are still battling for a playoff spot is that the American League is weaker than usual. They are currently 65-66 and sit a half game back of the final wild card spot. They are also in a dry spell, going 4-6 in their last ten, and are coming off a 3-6 home stand. There has also just been a different feeling around this team. They have dealt with injuries and key guys underperforming. It feels like a team past its prime and in need of a shake-up.
But the cracks in the Astros’ empire did not start this season. They have been evident ever since Brown took over as general manager back in 2022. Sure, the Astros made the playoffs in the three seasons he ran the club. But they only won one series during that stretch. They were also never able to replenish the talent they lost. Only three players that Brown drafted made the major leagues. Plus, the trades and signings they have made have been a mixed bag. This put more pressure on aging veterans, and we are seeing why that is a problem.
It is now up to Jim Crane to find an executive who will lead the Astros into the next era. They will most likely have to undergo some sort of rebuild. They should be looking to move players like Yordan Alvarez, Cristian Javier, and Christian Walker to try and re-stock the farm system. There should also be a stronger emphasis on player development. They need to build a system that consistently sends young talent to the majors. This will allow them to form another young core of stars as they had in the mid-2010s.
Although rebuilding a roster is not fun, it is something the Astros need to do. If they want to be competitive again, they need to move on from the past and start embracing the future. Moving on from Brown is the first step in this endeavor.
