The Houston Astros have parted ways with general manager Dana Brown before their upcoming series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, the team announced.
Brown’s contract was set to expire at the end of the season. Still, it’s surprising Houston and Brown parted ways mid-season, especially since the Astros are tied with the Texas Rangers for first place in the American League West.
Houston Astros, GM Dana Brown Mutually Part Ways Before Yankees Series
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 16: Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown looks on before Game Two of the Championship Series against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Here’s the Astros’ press release:
EFFECTIVE TODAY, THE HOUSTON ASTROS AND GENERAL MANAGER DANA BROWN HAVE MUTUALLY AGREED TO PART WAYS. BROWN’S CONTRACT WAS SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE 2026 SEASON.
BROWN’S RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE TRANSITIONED TO THE ASTROS ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGERS, CHARLES COOK, GAVIN DICKEY AND CONNOR HUFF, AND TO SENIOR ADVISOR JEFF BAGWELL. ASTROS OWNER AND CHAIRMAN JIM CRANE WILL OVERSEE BASEBALL OPERATIONS THROUGH THE TRANSITION PERIOD AS THE TEAM CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON THE AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST DIVISION RACE. BROWN HAS SERVED AS THE ASTROS GM SINCE JANUARY 26, 2023.
“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 HIM AND HIS FAMILY THE BEST.”
“I WANT TO THANK JIM CRANE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN MY FIRST ROLE AS AN MLB GENERAL MANAGER,” BROWN SAID. “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.”
Looking at Dana Brown’s Astros Tenure
GettyWEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 11: Houston Astros general manger Dana Brown speaks to press during spring training workouts at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 11, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
The Astros named Brown the team’s general manager on Jan. 25, 2023.
With Brown in charge, Houston won four-straight American League West titles before missing the postseason in 2025.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 27: General Manager Dana Brown (L) and manager Joe Espada speak before the game against the New York Mets on Opening Day at Daikin Park on March 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
While the Astros are tied for first place in the AL West right now, they have a poor 65-66 record.
It’s not necessarily surprising that the Astros and Brown decided to part ways. However, it’s shocking they did during the season.
Houston Astros Right Now
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 22: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros reacts during an at bat in the sixth inning of the game against the Athletics at Daikin Park on August 22, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
The Astros have lost six of their last eight games.
Since they hold the tiebreaker over the Rangers, the Astros are technically the top team in the AL East.
Houston has a -44 run differential this season. The Astros may be a first-place team, but if they were in any other division, they wouldn’t be.
BREAKING: Houston Astros Part Ways With GM Dana Brown Before Yankees Series