The Houston Astros have interviewed two of their own assistant general managers, Charles Cook and Gavin Dickey, as part of the Astros GM search Cook Dickey to replace Dana Brown, according to MLB.com. The internal interviews widen a candidate pool that also includes a front-office executive from the reigning National League pennant contender in Milwaukee.
Cook and Dickey are both longtime Astros employees who rose through the organization’s baseball operations department. Their inclusion in the interview process signals that Houston is weighing continuity alongside outside options as it searches for its next top baseball executive.
The Main Development
Cook, a Yale graduate, joined the Astros as a baseball operations apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to assistant general manager four years ago, according to MLB.com. Dickey was hired as a scout by Houston in 2011 and became an assistant GM three years ago, a role in which he oversees the organization’s Minor League system.
Both men interviewed for the GM opening that has been vacant since Dana Brown and the Astros parted ways on Aug. 24. Jim Crane, the Astros’ owner, has run baseball operations himself since Brown’s departure, per MLB.com.
What It Means
The interviews with Cook and Dickey show the Astros are not limiting their search to outside hires, even as Milwaukee Brewers assistant GM Matt Kleine has emerged as the leading candidate, according to the Houston Chronicle. Kleine, 40, has spent 20 seasons with Milwaukee and was promoted to Brewers assistant GM on Nov. 1, 2023, with duties spanning roster construction, financial planning, player evaluation and salary arbitration oversight.
Kleine also has Houston ties, having interned in the Astros’ media relations department in 2007. He appeared alongside Crane at the Houston Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 induction event last week, a public pairing that fueled speculation about his candidacy, per the Chronicle.
Beyond Kleine, Cook and Dickey, the Astros are also considering White Sox assistant GM Josh Barfield, Royals senior vice president Scott Sharp, Braves assistant GM Ben Sestanovich, Cardinals assistant GM Randy Flores and Rays vice president and assistant GM Kevin Ibach, according to MLB.com. Barfield grew up in Houston and was drafted out of Klein High School by the Padres in 2001.
Context
The breadth of the search comes after a season in which Houston finished 81-81 and lost in the wild-card round, extending a stretch without a playoff win since 2023, when the Astros were swept in the wild-card round by the White Sox. Houston has reached the playoffs 11 times in 13 seasons but has seen its regular-season win total decline for four consecutive years, according to the Chronicle.
Crane indicated in August that the Astros would examine how other teams have succeeded while carrying smaller payrolls. Kleine’s candidacy fits that line of thinking given Milwaukee’s results this year: the Brewers won 103 games with the 12th-lowest opening day payroll in the majors and reached the World Series for the second time in franchise history. Milwaukee has made the playoffs in eight of the past nine seasons.
What’s Next
The Astros plan to fill the general manager position before turning to a search for a new field manager, according to MLB.com. Current manager Joe Espada has said he wants to remain in Houston despite the team’s recent postseason struggles. No timeline for a GM hire has been announced.
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