Major League Baseball

Expect Astros manager change in '13

Published Jul. 7, 2012 1:20 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

No team has fired its manager this season. But at least one is expected to make a move after the season ends, according to major-league sources.

The Houston Astros, under new ownership and a new front office, likely will dismiss manager Brad Mills, sources said.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Friday that no change is imminent, and that he will not make a decision on Mills until after the season concludes.

“We haven’t talked about next year at all,” Luhnow said. “I’ve told everyone we’re going to wait. I’m not even thinking about it at this point.

“Brad has done a good job. We get along well. There is no reason to make a change.

“At the end of the year is when I’m going to spend time looking at all aspects of the operation. But I’m not spending time on it right now.”

The Astros entered Friday’s play with a 32-51 record, the third worst in the National League. They traded first baseman Carlos Lee to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday and are expected to part with several more veterans before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

Jim Crane, the Astros’ new owner, retained Mills after completing his purchase of the club last season from Drayton McLane. But next season, the team will begin a new era, moving to the American League West and wearing new uniforms.

Mills, who was hired by McLane and former GM Ed Wade, is under contract only through the end of this season, though his deal includes a club option for 2013.

Luhnow, who was a vice-president with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2003 to ‘11, likely would consider three candidates who previously worked for the Cardinals’ organization, sources said.

Those candidates would be Joe Pettini, the Astros’ bench coach; Jim Riggleman, the Cincinnati Reds’ Double A manager; and Chris Maloney, the Cardinals’ first-base coach.

Riggleman managed previously with the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals. Nationals third base coach Bo Porter is another potential candidate, sources said.

This season is the first without a managerial change prior to the All-Star break since 2006, according to STATS LLC. Between 2007 to 2011, at least three managerial changers were made before the midway point in each season.

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