Astros name Dana Brown as general manager, replacing James Clink, who helped club win a second title

The defending-champion Houston Astros have a new general manager after letting their outgoing GM go days after beating the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.

Longtime MLB scout Dana Brown will take over the Astros’ baseball operations, replacing James Clink, who was hired in 2020 following Houston’s sign-stealing scandal that resulted in the dismissals of Jeff Luhnow and manager A. J. Hinch.

‘We are excited to have Dana join our organization,’ Astros’ owner Jim Crane said in a team statement. ‘He brings championship caliber (sic) experience to our team and is the right fit for us to continue to deliver a winning franchise on and off the field.’

Brown’s resume is extensive. He worked in Toronto as a special assistant to Blue Jays’ GM Ross Atkins, and previously served as director of scouting for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals franchise. He began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Longtime MLB scout Dana Brown (right) will take over the Astros’ baseball operations, replacing James Clink, who was hired in 2020 following Houston’s sign-stealing scandal that resulted in the dismissals of Jeff Luhnow and manager A. J. Hinch. ‘We are excited to have Dana join our organization,’ Astros’ owner Jim Crane (left) said in a team statement

Dana Brown, director of scouting for the Washington Nationals, looks on during the Major League baseball draft on June 9, 2009 at Nationals Park in Washington

Clink’s time as GM was headlined by his decision to let centerfielder George Springer walk in free agency. He would go on to sign with the Blue Jays, but has battled injuries in recent seasons.

Clink also made the controversial decision to trade for reliever Roberto Osuna after he was arrested for domestic violence, and subsequently suspended by MLB for 75 games during his tenure with the Blue Jays.

He also made key deadline acquisitions last season, adding first baseman Trey Mancini from Baltimore and catcher Christian Vazquez from Boston.

The exact issues between Clink and Crane were never revealed, but ESPN did report after the season that the club had a trade in place for Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, pending owner approval, which never came. 

Clink would be out of a job months later.  

The exact issues between Clink (pictured) and Crane were never revealed, but ESPN did report after the season that the club had a trade in place for Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, pending owner approval, which never came