Brewers in Danger of Losing Front Office Executive to AL West Club

Milwaukee could lose a longtime executive as Houston searches for its next leader.

by Pardon Joshua

Oct 20, 2026

Milwaukee Brewers hat

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Milwaukee Brewers assistant general manager Matt Kleine has emerged as a serious candidate for the Houston Astros’ vacant general manager position, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale. Kleine has been with the Brewers organization since 2007, building nearly two decades of experience in scouting and baseball operations.

The report comes as Milwaukee prepares for the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Brewers are coming off a franchise-record 103-win regular season and their run to the National League pennant, while Houston is searching for a new leader in its front office.

Kleine’s potential departure would give Milwaukee another personnel decision to consider during one of the most successful periods in franchise history. However, his candidacy does not mean he has been hired, and no appointment has been announced.

Kleine has steadily advanced through Milwaukee’s baseball operations department. He began with the organization as an associate scout in 2007 before moving into baseball operations and taking on positions involving scouting, contracts, player evaluation and department management.

The Brewers promoted Kleine to assistant general manager in November 2023. He currently works alongside general manager Matt Arnold and the organization’s other baseball operations executives. His experience across several areas of the department has given him a broad understanding of how Milwaukee evaluates talent and builds its roster.

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Houston’s interest comes after a difficult season and changes to its baseball operations leadership. The Astros dismissed general manager Dana Brown in August, leaving the organization searching for someone to oversee its next phase. The club finished 81-81, narrowly missing the opportunity to build on its previous success.

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Milwaukee, meanwhile, has continued to win despite operating with a more limited payroll than several major-market teams. Its 103 victories secured the National League’s top seed, and the Brewers have now reached the sport’s biggest stage. Their success has also made members of the front office potential targets for other organizations seeking to improve their baseball operations.

For now, Kleine remains a Brewers executive, and Nightengale’s report establishes him as a candidate rather than a confirmed hire. With the World Series approaching, Milwaukee’s immediate focus remains on its matchup with Tampa Bay. Houston’s search will determine whether Kleine’s long tenure with the Brewers eventually leads to an opportunity to run another major league team’s baseball operations.