Could Kleine finally land the job he’s been linked to since August? After Dana Brown’s ouster, his name surfaced as a possible replacement, and Rome now notes that Matt Klentak also attracted interest before withdrawing earlier this month.
In the weeks that followed, Kleine rose to serious consideration alongside several other names—Mike Rizzo, Kevin Ibach, Josh Barfield, Randy Flores, Scott Sharp and Ben Sestanovich—all publicly tied to the opening, though many still saw Kleine as the frontrunner.
It makes sense, Rome points out, since Astros owner Jim Crane wants a new GM drawn from a club that has thrived on a modest payroll while achieving major‑league success.
The Brewers epitomize that formula. Their payroll usually sits in the bottom third of MLB, yet they’ve posted strong records, reaching the postseason eight times in nine seasons and hitting a franchise‑record 103 wins in 2026 before capturing their first World Series title.
If the deal goes through, Kleine inherits a team facing headwinds. The Astros have slipped from 106 wins and a 2022 World Series crown to totals of 90, 88, 87 and 81 in recent years, and key veterans like Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker have departed. In my view, betting on aging stars such as José Altuve and Carlos Correa is a risky gamble.
The roster still boasts talent—Yordan Álvarez, Jeremy Peña, Isaac Paredes, Christian Walker, Yainer Díaz, Josh Hader and Hunter Brown—but free‑agency clocks are ticking. Peña, Paredes and Walker hit free agency after 2027, while Álvarez, Hader, Díaz and Brown could walk after 2028, and the farm system remains thin after years of late‑round drafting and sign‑stealing penalties.
There is some payroll flexibility, yet Houston has historically shied away from mega contracts, never exceeding $100 million for a free agent and limiting extensions to six years and under $160 million in new money.
The division is wide open, and the Astros have shown they can raise payrolls to compete. With a roster full of moving pieces that still sneaked into the 2026 playoffs, the question remains: will Kleine be able to steer Houston through the looming lockout and restore its dominance?