The Astros hired Cardinals Assistant GM Randy Flores as its next GM, “ending the franchise’s two-month search” to fill the role after Dana Brown was fired in August. Flores, who has worked in the Cardinals’ front office since 2015, has not run a baseball operations department. However, he has “spent the last eight seasons as an assistant GM with the Cardinals after three seasons as scouting director.” The Astros were reportedly in “heavy pursuit” of Brewers Assistant GM Matt Kleine. They reportedly interviewed candidates including former Nationals GM Mike Rizzo and White Sox Assistant GM Josh Barfield. The Astros have made the playoffs in 11 of the last 13 seasons, though they missed the postseason this season and last won a playoff game in 2023 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/30).
