The Houston Astros appear to be closing in on a potential replacement for former general manager Dana Brown, with Milwaukee Brewers assistant general manager Matt Kleine emerging as the leading candidate for the position.

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Kleine is Houston’s preferred option as the organization continues its search for a new leader of its baseball operations department. However, the Astros have not reached an agreement with the Milwaukee executive, leaving the final outcome of the search unresolved.

Houston began its search after dismissing Brown in August, and Kleine quickly became a name to watch. His experience with the Brewers has made him a prominent candidate as Astros owner Jim Crane looks to reshape the organization’s front office.

Kleine has faced competition throughout the process. Several executives from around Major League Baseball were linked to the opening; Milwaukee assistant general manager Matt Klentak was also connected to the vacancy. According to Rome, Klentak received interest from Houston but withdrew from consideration earlier in October.

Kleine’s potential appointment would align with the direction Crane has indicated he wants to take the organization. Rather than necessarily pursuing an executive from a high-spending franchise, Houston has reportedly focused on finding someone familiar with building a successful team without requiring an extensive payroll.

Milwaukee provides a compelling example of that approach. The Brewers have consistently competed despite operating with a payroll below that of many major-league organizations.

Their ability to develop talent, identify contributors and maintain postseason relevance has established the franchise as a model for teams seeking sustained success without spending at the highest level.

That track record became even more impressive in 2026. Milwaukee won a franchise-record 103 games before capturing the first World Series championship in its history. The Brewers have also reached the postseason in eight of the past nine seasons, demonstrating their ability to remain competitive across multiple campaigns.

For Houston, Kleine’s background with that organization could be particularly appealing as the Astros evaluate their next steps. The franchise has enjoyed considerable success in recent years, but its front office now faces the challenge of maintaining that standard while determining how to construct its roster moving forward.

Kleine has spent nearly two decades working within Milwaukee’s organization, giving him extensive experience across its baseball operations structure.

The Brewers initially hired him as an associate scout 19 years ago, and he gradually advanced through the organization before earning a promotion to assistant general manager following the 2023 season.

His progression through Milwaukee’s front office offers Houston an opportunity to hire an executive familiar with the day-to-day work involved in building a competitive roster.