Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown wasn't exactly given a ringing endorsement this offseason. The Astros confirmed that Brown (and manager Joe Espada) were under contract for the 2026 season, but it sounds like Jim Crane isn't in a rush to get a contract extension done with his top baseball executive. It would seem that the Astros' making the playoffs in 2026 is how Brown can keep his job, and that may have been tied to his biggest offseason decision.
Even though Framber Valdez's market was never as strong as it was expected to be at the start of the offseason, the Astros never entertained a reunion with their former ace.