The Astros have parted ways with general manager Dana Brown, the team announced Monday morning. He'd only been on the job since the start of the 2023 season, but he lasted longer than James Click did in that job under hands-on owner Jim Crane.
The obvious next question is which front office executive(s) might be the next to go. That's just the nature of the job in this business. Now, the titles vary. Call them general manager or president of baseball operations or chief baseball officer, but we're talking about the top baseball operations decision-maker for each team.
Here are seven top executives who could find themselves on the chopping block sometime soon.
Nick Krall, Reds president of baseball operations
Krall was promoted to the top baseball job in 2020, and the Reds made the playoffs last season, but that was as an 83-win team that merely served as a sacrificial lamb in the Wild Card Series to the Dodgers. They are currently seven games under .500 and not in playoff contention. The state of the roster isn't great. Player development has seen wins like Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, Chase Burns and Hunter Greene. That's really about it, though. There have been so many misses otherwise. It's been more than a decade since the Reds were a strong contender.
Mike Elias, Orioles president of baseball operations and general manager
Elias took over the Orioles in 2019, after they lost an absurd 115 games in 2018. Whatever was left to tear down, he tore down to the studs. They lost 108 games in 2019 and 110 in 2021. Things turned around enough with Elias' rebuild for the Orioles to make the playoffs in both 2023 and 2024, but they were swept out of their series both years and still haven't won a playoff game since 2014. The Orioles are hanging around in contention this season, but it's because the American League is so dreadful. They are five games under .500. That Elias' Orioles were sellers at the trade deadline seems a signal that he plans to go through a rebuild again -- even if not a massive one. Isn't that an admission that the radical rebuild failed? And if that's the case, how is that acceptable?
Jerry Dipoto, Mariners president of baseball operations
Dipoto was hired as the Mariners' general manager in 2015, and he's been the boss on the baseball side ever since. They've only made the playoffs twice in his tenure. Last season was the apex, as the Mariners advanced further than they ever previously had in franchise history, getting to Game 7 of the ALCS (the Mariners are the only team to have never played in the World Series). Following up that effort with a team currently seven games under .500 might be what finally does Dipoto in. Then again, the Mariners are only three games out of first place in the pitiful AL West. Things could still be salvaged.
Scott Harris, Tigers president of baseball operations
The Tigers waved the white flag at the trade deadline despite being just 2 ½ games out of a playoff spot, trading Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize. They have now fallen apart, losing eight of their last nine games. Harris has been on the job since 2022, and the Tigers have made the playoffs just twice on his watch. They topped out at 87 wins last season, a run that also included blowing a 14-game division lead.
David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations
In 2024, Stearns' first season with the Mets, they made an unlikely run to the NLCS. Last season, they had the best record in baseball in early June, but fell apart down the stretch and missed the playoffs. Stearns responded by carving up the MLB roster over the winter, and the results have been incredibly disappointing. The Mets sit in last place at 59-72 despite having the second-highest payroll in the majors. To this point, owner Steve Cohen has been nothing but supportive of Stearns, and it seems unlikely a change will be made, but it's difficult to defend Stearns' shaky tenure at this point. You never know if Cohen will change his tune.
Ben Cherington, Pirates general manager
Cherington has been on the job since 2019. The Pirates' best record with him as boss is 76-86. They might break that this season, but they currently sit 63-69. Cherington actually fixed what was a futile offense this past offseason, but the pitching has fallen apart this time around. Whatever is going on with Paul Skenes should be deemed an organizational failure by ownership, and, really, how many chances should a GM get to win more than 76 games in a season?
Buster Posey, Giants president of baseball operations
To be clear, I don't think Giants ownership would ever fire this franchise legend, but it's hard to imagine this partnership lasting forever. After winning 80 games two years ago and finishing at exactly .500 (81-81) last season, the Giants are one of baseball's worst teams this season at 52-78. They are bogged down by some long-term contracts that don't look great (Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, Matt Chapman), and they're headed toward one of their worst finishes in club history. The good news is the farm system looks stronger than it has in a while.
