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 go of their outgoing general manager days after beating the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.

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

“We are excited to have Dana join our organization,” Astros owner Jim Crane said in a team statement. “She brings championship (sic) caliber experience to our team and she is the right person 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 general manager Ross Atkins and previously served as director of scouting for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals franchise. He started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Veteran MLB scout Dana Brown (right) will take over the Astros’ baseball operations, replacing James Clink, who was hired in 2020 following the Houston sign-stealing scandal that resulted in the firing of Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ 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 June 9, 2009 at Washington National Park.

Clink’s time as general manager was headlined by his decision to let center fielder George Springer enter 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 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-date 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 reported after the season the club had a trade 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 disclosed, but ESPN reported after the season that the club had a trade for Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras pending owner approval, which never I arrive.