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With the Houston Astros deciding to mutually part ways with GM Dana Brown on Monday, the search begins for the organization's next top baseball executive. This should be an enticing role for most up-and-coming execs around the league, as Houston has been one of the premier franchises of the last decade and the team is still in the playoff race and is not in need of a complete rebuild.
Because Houston does not need a rebuild, they should be looking for an executive from a team that has a track record of winning. The one benefit of firing an executive in season is the extra time the organization gets to hire the next one. Here are a few names that will likely pop up in the Astros' search.
Four executives the Astros should look at to fill the open GM role this offseason
Michael Schwartze - Atlanta Braves Assistant General Manager, Player Personnel
The last time Jim Crane was looking for a top baseball official, he turned to the Braves. While it didn't work out with Brown, Michael Schwartze comes from a different path. Dana Brown came from a scouting path to his role as a GM; Schwartze comes from an analytics path.
While he was a scout with the Reds from 2013-2017, Schwartze came to the Braves from the Giants in their analytics department. He worked his way up from Analyst to Senior Director, Baseball Analytics before being hired in Atlanta in 2024. If Houston is looking for a different type of GM, Schwartze is the way to go.
Ben Sestanovich - Atlanta Braves Assistant General Manager, Player Development
Another member of the Braves front office Houston could be interested in is Ben Sestanovich. He has been with Atlanta since 2020, joining from the Padres, where he was the Assistant Director of Player Development. Atlanta has shown multiple times over since 2020 that they can develop players not only in the minors, but in the majors as well. With Houston's young roster, having a GM who specializes in player development could help nurture the current crop of young talent into the next championship core.
Carter Hawkins - Chicago Cubs General Manager
While this would likely be a sideways step in title for Hawkins, as it's unlikely they give him a President of Baseball Operations or similar title, it would be a step up in role. Hawkins currently serves under Jed Hoyer in Chicago, and he might be ready to take over his own team.
Hired in 2021, Hawkins also came from a player development track in Cleveland before joining the Cubs. Before he was an Assistant GM in Cleveland, he was the Director of Player Development. Hawkins has more experience than the two Braves execs, which could be something the Astros are looking for if they want to jump right into the next chapter of their franchise without any hiccups.
Mike Chernoff - Cleveland Guardians General Manager
Chernoff is the least likely candidate on this list because of how long he's been in Cleveland. He started his career as an intern in Cleveland and has worked his way to the top. While he works under Chris Antonetti, Chernoff has been in his role since the end of the 2015 season. He has declined interviews for other positions in the past, but he could change his mind for an opportunity like Houston.
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