Luhnow: Offseason search for assistant GM
Astros will fill spot vacated by Stearns, who was hired by Brewers
HOUSTON -- Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said the team will consider internal and external candidates in its search for a new assistant general manager to replace David Stearns, who was hired by the Brewers on Monday.
Luhnow said the Astros will wait until the offseason to begin the search, and said the rest of the front office will split Stearns' duties until the position is filled. Stearns, 30, served as Luhnow's assistant general manager for the past three seasons.
"There's only 30 of these jobs, so when you get a chance to lead a baseball operations department of a Major League team, you've got to take it seriously," Luhnow said. "They did a nice job identifying him as a candidate, and he's got his hands full, but he's going to a nice job over there."
Meanwhile, Astros director of player development Quinton McCracken interviewed with the Red Sox for their vacant general manager position, a source told MLB.com. McCracken was hired a month before Stearns and oversaw a Minor League system that put seven teams in the playoffs this year, including the Pacific Coast League champion Fresno Grizzlies.
Stearns was hired in November 2012 from the Indians, where he spent a season as director of baseball operations. He spent three seasons (2008-11) working in the Commissioner's Office and assist clubs through contract negotiations, the salary arbitration process and MLB Draft signings.
"I knew that there was a possibility with the number of openings that there are in baseball that David would be interviewed, and I knew that was a possibility," Luhnow said. "Obviously, we don't want everybody to leave at the same time. I can't comment on any other rumored interviews. We have enough talent where we'll be fine no matter what happens."