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Closed Source: Brewers pick Astros' Stearns as GM

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PurpleFox

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MILWAUKEE -- David Stearns hadn't been born when the Brewers went to the World Series in 1982. As the team's next general manager, his job is to get them back.

A source confirmed to MLB.com Sunday that the Brewers were poised to hire the 30-year-old Astros assistant general manager to replace outgoing Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin. The choice was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of MLB Network and Fox Sports.

The Brewers did not confirm the hire, adhering to their policy of not commenting on any phase of the GM search before it is complete. The Astros did not confirm Stearns' departure.

The Brewers' search began Aug. 11, when principal owner Mark Attanasio and Melvin announced Melvin's decision to transition out of the role he has occupied since Sept. 26, 2002. Melvin is expected to retain an advisory role in the organization.

Despite his young age, Stearns already has a long baseball resume. Since graduating from Harvard in 2007, Stearns has worked in the baseball operations departments of the Mets, Pirates, Indians and for the Arizona Fall League and Major League Baseball. His tenure with MLB spanned 2008-11, ending with a stint as manager of labor relations. In that role, Stearns assisted in the arbitration process and worked on the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement.

From 2011-12, he was director of baseball operations for the Indians, then joined the Astros and GM Jeff Luhnow. Stearns was Houston's assistant GM for the past three seasons.

"If he's the assistant GM with Luhnow, he's really smart," said Brewers outfielder You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., one of the players acquired from the Astros in a trade last month. "It seemed like every time you asked someone where they went to school, they said Harvard."

Santana said he did not know Stearns particularly well, but characterized their brief interactions as pleasant.

Stearns is less than half the age of his predecessor, Melvin, who turned 63 shortly before announcing he was stepping aside, but there have been younger GMs. Theo Epstein, formerly of the Red Sox, and Jon Daniels of the Rangers were each 28 when first hired.

"At some point, [age] doesn't matter a tremendous amount," Stearns told the Harvard Crimson for a profile in 2012, when he was working for the Indians. "It's more about what you can bring to the table, if your skill set matches what is needed for the particular position."

At 30, Stearns is a year younger than Brewers right fielder You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., one of only two players on the roster with a guaranteed contract beyond next season (along with right-hander You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.).

Braun reserved comment on Stearns until the team made a formal announcement, but was pleased to hear the process may be coming to an end.

"I think for everybody in the organization it's better to get it done sooner rather than later," Braun said. "To let guys know who's still going to be here, who's going to be gone, allow people as much time as possible to find new jobs, if that happens.

"But from [players'] perspective, we know we have no control over it. They are going to put the best possible person in that position. We're all curious to hear what his vision is, what he has to say and who he is."

The Brewers have already begun what officials have characterized as an organizational "reset" under Melvin, who bolstered the Minor League system by making five trades involving six Major League players between July 23 and Aug. 21. Among the players acquired in those deals was Santana, who has hit six home runs since a promotion to the Majors on Aug. 21, and center fielder Brett Phillips, who slotted into the Brewers' You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. at No. 2. Both of those players, plus pitchers Josh Hader and Adrian Houser, came in a July 30 trade with the Astros for You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..

Among the players who appeared in trade rumors but were not traded are first baseman You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and closer You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., and to a lesser extent, Braun and catcher You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. It will be up to Stearns to decide whether those players and their contracts fit the Brewers' long-term plans.

Asked whether players have wondered who their new boss will be, Lind said, "It's baseball, all we have is time, so of course it has [come up]. Anything you can think of, we've probably talked about."
 
Dear @PurpleFox,

Since 2 years have passed since the last reply in this thread, I am locking it to prevent necroposting. Feel free to start a new thread or contact any forum staff if you want this to be reopened.

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