Astros Appoint Randy Flores as General Manager

The Houston Astros named Randy Flores their new general manager on Friday, ending a search that began in late summer after the club parted ways with Dana Brown.

The hiring places a former major league pitcher in the front office of a team that recently captured its fifth American League West title in six years. Flores, 51, will assume the role of the franchise's 15th general manager in its history. His appointment coincides with a busy offseason for the club, which must also select a new manager after Joe Espada's contract was not renewed following the team's elimination in the Wild Card Series.

Flores brings more than a decade of executive experience from St. Louis, where he spent the last ten years in the organization's front office. He joined the Cardinals in 2015 as a scouting director and served as their assistant general manager for amateur and professional acquisition from 2019 through 2026. His background includes eight seasons as a relief pitcher in the majors, during which he posted a 4.61 ERA and four saves across four teams.

Astros owner Jim Crane cited Flores' track record in scouting and player development as key factors in the decision. Crane stated that the team was impressed by Flores' background and expressed eagerness to begin working on the next championship run for the organization. The formal introduction is scheduled for a Monday morning news conference at Daikin Park.

Flores expressed gratitude for the opportunity to join a franchise with a long history of winning. He thanked the Cardinals organization for the support that allowed him to make this transition. His family plans to make Houston their new home as he steps into the leadership role.

The Astros' 2026 campaign saw them finish with an 81-81 record, a feat that marked the first time a team without a winning percentage reached the playoffs in a full season. Brown was released on August 24, and his duties were temporarily handled by three assistant general managers and Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell while the front office searched for a permanent replacement.