The Astros have entered a front-office reset, and one early name to watch has a very familiar ring for Houston fans.
After the club announced Monday that it had fired general manager Dana Brown, owner Jim Crane will handle baseball operations on an interim basis while the team looks for its next GM during the offseason. That search is already starting to generate names, and MLB Network insider Jon Morosi pointed to former big leaguer Will Rhymes as a candidate worth tracking.
“As the Astros begin their search for a new GM, former @MLB infielder Will Rhymes is one name to watch,” Morosi wrote on X.
Rhymes, who currently works in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ front office, played three seasons in the majors from 2010-12. He suited up for the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays and spent most of his time at second base and third base.
Morosi also highlighted Rhymes’ current role with the Dodgers, calling him a “Key member of the Dodgers' front office with a focus on player development, an area of need for the Astros,” and noted, “He’s a Houston native and has strong ties to the city.”
That local connection matters here. Rhymes attended Mirabeau B. Lamar High School in Houston, giving him roots in the city that could help in the recruiting process as the Astros weigh their options.
He’s not the only possibility, and Houston is expected to look at multiple candidates. But Rhymes is clearly one to keep on the radar.
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