The Astros announced a series of internal promotions earlier this week, most notably the promotion of Gavin Dickey to an assistant general manager position. Dickey is a longtime member of the Astros’ staff, working in numerous jobs since his initial hiring as a scout in 2011. Most recently, he worked as a special assistant to GM Dana Brown during the 2023 season. The 40-year-old Dickey moved right into scouting on the heels of his playing career, which consisted of six seasons in independent ball and in the Mariners’ and Braves’ farm systems from 2006-11.
Dickey joins Andrew Ball and Charles Cook as Houston’s assistant GMs, after the team parted ways with former assistant GM Bill Firkus last month. This isn’t to say that Dickey will necessarily be taking Firkus’ exact role, as the specific duties of an assistant GM vary greatly from club to club and executive to executive, usually based on each individual’s areas of expertise.
More on some other front office moves from around baseball….
- The White Sox announced that Paul Janish has been hired as their new director of player development. Janish is a veteran of nine Major League seasons with the Reds, Braves, and Orioles from 2008-17, and since retirement has worked as a coach with Rice University. This will be the first non-playing role in pro ball for the 41-year-old Janish, who will be taking over the position previously held by Chris Getz before Getz was named Chicago’s new general manager in August.
- The Nationals promoted Eddie Longosz to the role of VP/assistant general manager of player development and administration. The Washington Post’s Andrew Golden reported earlier this week that Longosz would be taking over the Nats’ player development department, which is the next step up the ladder for a longtime employee who has been with the Nationals since 2010. As Golden notes, much of the Nationals’ focus over the last couple of months has been a revamp of their front office, with several employees on the way out (like De Jon Watson, Longosz’s predecessor as farm director) and a couple of longer-term staffers like Longosz moving into larger roles.
I know when you get older so time you read things and you may need to read it a second time.
But the Houston Astros have 3 asst general mangers ?
Dodgers have 4 or 5!
Don’t be surprised if the Sox also offer Janish a contract to play because at 41 he still has lead in his pencil, so says Sox brass.
I’m sure Jerry already tried to get him to do a dual role, save some money on a first baseman.
Sure, Janish can bring his .212 lifetime average to this team. Should fit it just right!
I’ve been looking at the players who will be free agents this offseason. Unfortunately, I cannot see one that will really want to come and play for the White Sox. First, the budget is a problem and no quality free agent will play for what Reinsdorf will pay. Second, these free agents all know the Sox lost 101 games in 2023 and they have made no attempt to bring some quality individual from the outside to kick this team into high gear. Getz hasn’t done much for the minor league system and Grifol certainly isn’t the guy we need to lead this team on the field. Those two so called “leaders” will not attract any quality free agents. I know Texas lost over 100 games a few years ago, but they made the management changes to attract good players and hired an established manager to lead this team. Won’t happen with the Sox unfortunately.
There must be a few washed up AAAA players that were previously in the Royals organization that Getz will target. Otherwise you’re spot on.
Paul Janish is a great hire, but definitely no easy gig to sign on right now with the White Sox.
I remember Janish. Wish him luck there. He’ll need it.
Nats front office doing what they do best: resolutely declining to move into the present. Never mind the future.
They were hiring the Reds best former 20th century management at one time.