The New Astros GM Needs To Update His Facebook Page

Astros Top Offseason Power Rankings

Jeff Luhnow's Bookmarks

Astros Name Cards Exec Jeff Luhnow To GM Post

The Astros aren't exactly in an enviable position, with a farm system that's regularly ranked in the bottom-half of baseball, and a major-league lineup that's filled with AA refugees. As such, the team was having some trouble finding a GM to replace Ed Wade, with several prospects declining the opportunity.

The organization can take down the Craigslist ad, though. From Alyson Footer:

Astros confirming Jeff Luhnow hired as general manager of the Houston Astros. Formal announcement forthcoming.

Luhnow was the Cardinals VP of player procurement, and before that he was the VP of scouting and player development. The Houston Chronicle quoted a prepared statement from the Astros:

The Astros strive to develop one of the best systems in baseball and create a consistent winner at the Major League level. Jeff has the knowledge, skills and experience to lead the baseball operations efforts at all levels and help the Astros achieve this vision. Jeff has a demonstrated the ability to inspire and motivate staff in the front office and out in the field

If you want some insight as to what Luhnow's organizational philosophies might be, he gave an interview with Baseball Prospectus in 2008.

Andrew Friedman Reportedly Turning Down Astros' GM Job

Andrew Friedman, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Rays, is baseball's new "it" executive. He's helped build two playoff teams for Tampa Bay, and he did so for something like the cost of one free-agent closer. It's not hard to see why he's in demand, and when the Astros fired Ed Wade, they aggressively pursued Friedman. According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, though, the Astros will have to keep looking:

Hearing #Rays GM already has decided against taking Astros job.

Of course, Friedman technically isn't a GM, so maybe there's still a sliver of a chance, Astros fans. Keep those fingers crossed!

It wasn't a crazy long shot for the Astros to make a run at Friedman, as he's from Houston, and presumably grew up as an Astros fan. Even with the major-league roster overrun with double-A refugees, the opportunity must have appealed to Friedman on some level.

Alas, it wasn't to be. And the search goes on for the next Astros GM -- a search that is making even Orioles fans think, "Jeez. Nobody wants to work for that team."

The Houston Astros Are The New Baltimore Orioles

The Houston Astros have a general manager vacancy. Now they just need to find somebody willing to fill it.

Astros Latest Team Trying To Lure Rays' Andrew Friedman

According to Richard Justice, the Houston Astros -- who just fired general manager Ed Wade -- have received permission to interview Rays general manager Andrew Friedman.